NUKE moms

Good Evening everyone!!

I am sharing my joy of Christmas with you all now, because it looks like I am going to have to give my Navy Mom muscles a good workout over the next couple of weeks, - Semper Gumby is going to have to bend a lot, I need to go into task mode instead of my normal detail mode and transform two houses into both hospitality hotels. I wanted to make sure I said Merry Christmas if I am not on much at all. 

Gigi - I'm glad you are safe from the tornado.  The amount of destruction is absolutely devastating.  I just can't imagine going through something like this.  Prayers for your son and his BP.  That's a little scary at such a young age.

It was the Army/Navy football game on Saturday and NAVY WON!  It was a great game and wonderful to see Navy sing second!  HOOYAH!

Happy Holidays to all my sea sisters!

My son just got back from an underway (that he neglected to tell me he was going on), and today he informed me he's being deployed at the end of this month! It'll be his first deployment, and I'm pretty anxious about it. We're trying to find a time for me to visit with him (and his wife) before he leaves. I'll be devastated if it doesn't work out. I've only seen him once in the last year, for just a couple of hours. Santa, all I want for Christmas is time with my son!

PacNWmom - My thoughts and prayers are with you!! I recall those "couple of hours" that you had before and how little time that was. 

PacNWmom - fingers crossed it all works out!

Signing off for now.   My son got his DD214 on December 3.   He is happily a veteran now.  Nine years, six of them on the USS Carl Vinson.  Rerated because of a medical hiccup, so he didn't finish as a nuke, but he did work in the reactor department the whole time, and is going to be working for the DOD in the same capacity.  Fair winds and following seas to all of you.   I have enjoyed my time following everyone.    B'sNukeMoM it was a pleasure to meet you the year we came out and saw you at the ball game.   You are awesome.  What an encouragement to all these moms you have been!!!  

bclmomct, thank you, I really needed to hear this especially today! Congratulations to your son!

bclmomct - Thanks for the update!  And glad to hear he's already got something lined up.  Will he be staying in San Diego?  And yes, I'm so glad we got to meet up at the baseball game - boy that seems so long ago lol!  

Please thank your son for his service and we look forward to updates.  Fair winds and following seas to him ;-D

bclmomct - Congratulations to your son! Please don't delete your profile and be sure to come back occasionally to give us an update on how things are going. Our many thanks to your son for his service!

bclmomct, congratulations to you and your son! I didn't realize he was on the Vinson. I wonder if he was on at any point with my son. My son separated in November and it has not been smooth sailing. He had lined up a job in Georgia and about a week before he started they pulled the job saying he didn't have commercial experience. It was a bad situation. He had already sold his house in SC and put a deposit on a place in GA. It was shady. They knew he was fresh out of the navy. He thinks it was maybe the union, or somebody with pull had someone they wanted to put in that position. Who knows. He now has a job he will start Jan. 3 in TX.

Being homeless with 4 kids is a humbling experience and like everything else you can either grow from that or let it sour your life. He had turned down several opportunities to take that GA job and had no trouble finding the TX job. Our sailors are certainly employable. He just made what turned out to be an unfortunate choice. It all worked out and I was proud of how well he handled it. 

NancyJo - would love to know your son's name.   If he was in reactor department, it is likely my son knows him.  Can you send me a private message with his name? 

NancyJo - I am so sorry to hear all the things your kids have been through. That is rough, but I know they are resilient. When it comes to how the crow flies, TX and GA are about equal from you, but he at least is in the Midwest! Thank you for the update. That is the sort of thing you don't post when they are going through it, but I am sorry we could not share some of the burden with you as well. 

Gah, NancyJo - wow!  I'm sorry he had troubles - talk about frustrating, but sure glad it sounds like it worked out in the end.  One good thing about the Navy is he learned to be flexible. Guess you'll be visiting Texas now!

Actually my son will be about 5 hrs closer to drive so that's a good thing! Also flying is better for me to TX. I believe this is a good thing for him. Adversity grows virtues in people with the character to recognize it. I wanted to see how the job situation all played out before saying anything here. I wouldn't have spoken yet since he hasn't actually started the job but I got excited because bclmomct's son was on the same ship as my son. Anyway, all looks good now so, Mamas, nobody said it was easy but the Navy prepares our sailors to weather many different storms. I'm so grateful!

NancyJo - glad to hear the drive will be closer. I would like to stay in touch, I sent you a msg. 

somar - enjoy Charleston - it's beautiful there.  And BZ to your son on finishing the nuke pipeline!  So glad you get to be there to celebrate ;-D  Have a fabulous time!

Somar - Congratulations to your Sailor!! Sorry, I am slow to posting - But enjoy the graduation! 

Yay Gigi!  Enjoy!

I got boots in the house! I was surprised seeing him in his camo when he arrived last night, said he was on duty prior to leaving base. I’m getting spoiled when it comes to visit and reunion (8th times for 19 months being away from home) trying to maximize whenever we can.  

Hope you all have a great Holiday! Hugs to y’all Mommas 

Gigi - So happy for you!!

My kids and I put this Lego wreath together today - a good fun activity!

Now to see if I can hang it on a stationary door without it coming loose!

Chipmunk - that's really cool!

Nancy Jo, so glad that everything worked out well for your son! 

Thanks, JayDee! They made it to TX on Sunday. Before they left SC he got a call from one of the people who interviewed him to see how they were doing and if they needed anything. When he heard they would be in TX by Sunday the guy said he would invite them over for dinner. It made my son feel like he'll be working for good people. So happy for him! <3

How's your daughter doing in SC? What's her husband doing?

Nancy Jo, that's wonderful! Doesn't it make the momma heart happy? Sounds like maybe things worked out better despite the uncertainty of the situation. Guess it shows that there's always a plan! 

SIL just got back from 10 days at home with his mom.  He's enjoying being a dog daddy for now.

Nuke is doing fine . She passed her written exam and will be doing boards soon.

Guess that's something to point out to our new moms, they're always qualifying, even when they instruct. My daughter has to requalify at GC, even after fleet experience, in order to instruct. The learning never stops for our Nukes. 

I've also picked up this tidbit. We all realize that sub qualifications are different from carrier, but did you know that all carriers are different from each other? If you are qualified on the Ike, you are not on any other carrier.  Also, the Bush is the most complicated ship to qualify on as they have more procedures and check offs than any other carrier. A chief who has been on several carriers told me that. 

Merry Christmas to all! 

Good point, JayDee. Every reactor is unique even though the basic technology is the same. Every time your sailor changes ships (even at NNPTC they call it a ship because the reactor is from a decommissioned ship) they have to re-qualify. They qualify during prototype and then again when they join the fleet, then again if they go on to instruct like your daughter. And subs are different than carriers.

NancyJo - so happy to hear that things sounds so promising in TX!  See, everything happens for a reason!

Yes, B'sNuke, that is true. I'm so grateful!

Tulip - Welcome home to your sailor!!

JayDee & NancyJo (NNPTC) - thanks for the updates both on your sailor's but also on the other information. That explains why some Nukes will just stay with one ship or sub if they are not reenlisting. There is too much invested to train again on another vessel for a short amount of time, I would assume. 

Hooyah, Tulip!! Enjoy! Give him a hug for all the Navy Moms out there missing their own sailors. <3

Tulip - Welcome home to your Sailor!

Welcome aboard to our newest member ~ navyrecruitmom!

Please be sure to read the ***NEW MEMBERS*** info at the top of the page.  Lots of good info there.  Also take a look at the Pages (20) to the right under the member profiles - be sure to hit "view all".  And the discussion forum above has some good info too - be sure to read Chipmunks "Nuke A School Daily Schedule".  And of course, feel free to ask any questions you may have.

navyrecruitmom - Welcome to our group!!! WE are glad you are here.!

Morning Everyone!! I thought I would send an update! My son passed Power School the second time around! Praise God! He was able to come home so I have “Boots in the House” for Christmas! So thankful! 
Love reading all the updates, excited for new members, and praying with those that are struggling in the pipeline, for those being re-rated or separated, and those who haven’t seen their loved ones in a while. 
Praying for all our Momma Hearts! 
Have a very Merry Christmas! Many Blessings to you and your family! 

khryse - woohoo! So happy for you and for your son!  Enjoy your visit with him ;-D

Khryse - Congratulations to your son!!! I am so happy for you. I was thinking about you the other day and wondering how things were going.

BNMHs to some of my special friends on here - MoMom, KayCee, NNLori, - Merry Christmas!

happy christmas to all! be safe

Merry Christmas to all! We have the joy of having our son home for most of December since he is transitioning into prototype school. Had to share him with his GF and friends but he did a fine job balancing us all.

Thank you to everyone who has been so supportive over the last year. 

Merry Christmas!  

My daughter is an instructor at NPTU and this was posted in her area.  Thought I'd share with all you Nuke Moms. It may not make perfect sense to some of you new moms, but please enjoy anyway!

‘Twas the night before Christmas and all through the boat,
Not a locker was stirring, not even the goat,
Shift Eng hung her stocking, LCC hung his wreath,
ETs reached their limits, but stayed just underneath,
Mechanics rang Endbells, with a percussion of wrenches,
The electricians made jokes at one another’s expenses,
And Naval Reactors would tiptoe and creep,
And try to catch sailors on watch fast asleep,
The drip trays were dry, and the logs all in spec,
And the coolant seemed extra content to reflect,
The plant seemed so peaceful when down through the hatch,
Admiral Hyman came clawing for our joy to dispatch,
“Forceful backup, Integrity, Procedural Compliance,
Anything less will be willful defiance,
You’re out of my program if you can’t match my pace,
You losers, you fools, you disgusting disgrace!”
But something incredible happened that night,
The RC doors opened with a brilliant bright light!
The neutrons shot forth with the gammas in tow,
And the Engine Room basked in their warmth and their glow,
And I swear that I saw (though I fled in a hurry!),
The spirit of Love, yes the Queen,
Marie Curie,
She reached for Rickover, pulled him back to the core,
And the RC was sealed, it was peaceful once more,

Though this tale seems unreal, quite a story, such lore!
Few would believe what went down by the shore,
But at this coveted Duty, the Navy’s NPTU,
The sailors all know that this legend is true,
And now Christmas is nearing, not a khaki in sight,
Sweet dreams you watch standers, kiss your shipmates goodnight! 

Merry Christmas to All!

Love that JayDee ;-D