NUKE moms

Thank you B'sNukeMom!! 

I just realized that it has been three years this April since mine finished Prototype. My husband and I flew out, I think, I don't even recall now, to see our sailor and celebrate Easter with him. It seems hard to believe that he has been in the fleet now longer than he was in school. 

Chipmunk...cute cake! My Easter baking was egg-shaped cookies that are on the ship now. Extra nourishment for a few weeks.

Canuka - I am sure those cookies are not likely to last a couple of weeks, unless you made an extremely large batch!!!! LOL!

Canuka - I'll bet your son's department loves it when he receives a care package lol!

Elle - You sent a message through the {Sent to group} above, but we do not have a way to reply to that other than here. 

I assume that your sailor is now at his new duty station. I know that backpay on things can take time, but I would suggest that he speak to his Chief, and I think it is human resources or payroll. It has been 4 years since mine graduated from Prototype, maybe some that have had someone more recently can verify if there have been other delays or who they have talked to. I believe my son kept having to check with his SLPO about his back pay for his E4 over 4 years, and then E5 BHA. 

It is something that he does need to continue to be the "squeaky wheel."  Keep us posted and let us know how things turn out. 

Canuka - Thanks!! I don't recall my son having to do anything like this, so they may have changed things since he was in prototype. They received the first part of the bonus, I think after completing A school and then the remainder after Prototype. I am glad that you were able to help Elle out!

Dee's Mom and any of our other newer members, please don't hesitate to come introduce yourselves here and let us know where your sailor is in their pipeline or Nuke journey. 

If anyone's loved one is still in DEP and you are just trying to glean information on the Nuke Pipeline, this is also a good place to ask questions. Be sure your Depper is establishing a healthy habit and routine for exercise, especially running and building endurance prior to BC. Their exercising never stops - well actually, sometimes it does when they are out in the fleet, especially during Covid when the gyms and workout areas were closed, so it is important to make some form of exercise a daily habit. 

Good morning!  Has anyone here gone to A School graduation?  My son at first told me that there is no A School graduation, but then I thought I saw on here that there is one.  We are only 4 hours away from GC, so we would like to go if family is allowed to attend.  (I checked the NNPTC website, but they don't provide any information except for directions.)

Thanks for any info you can provide!

I did not go, but my son did have an A school graduation. That was pre-covid, so I don’t know if that’s changed. It was a much smaller affair, and only a few families went. 

I went five years ago so I could drive my son's car to him to have for Power School.  Because there was a Power School graduation the same day his graduation was pushed to 7:00 am which ended up being fine because we were in and out before the crowds came.  I had to show id, proof of insurance and be on a list to get through the gate. Again that was pre Covid so I do not know anything about mask or additional security such as vaccine status.  It was a very small event, in total about 30 sailors and about 30 family members.  It was held in the Bowman Center.  Afterwards he could stay off base with me at a hotel and we spent the weekend on the beaches and in downtown Charleston.  I flew home.  It was a nice time.  Power School Graduation was COLD in January and it was outside.  The only graduation I did not attend was Prototype.  I say go to anything and everything you can.

Here is a link to the NNPTC FB page, it seems to be private, so I can't view any information. But you all can join since you have a sailor there. (3) Naval Nuclear Power School | Facebook

Here is the link to the NNPTC Ombudsman information page, their contact info & FB link is at the bottom of the page - Naval Sea Systems Command > Home > NNPTC > Ombudsman (navy...

MomofJoseph - 1st Thanks for replying on the BC Mom page, I appreciate it. I am trying to get moving this morning. 

I would also contact the ombudsman at the info I posted. I was blessed to attend all of my sailor's graduations. A school, as I recall, they sent out invitations to. Your sailor needs to supply the names, ? SSN, and maybe DOB, for all family members planning to be in attendance. They may have a limit of 4 currently but with mine, I don't believe they had a limit. You are checked in at the gate off of the list and sometimes peoples names are left off the list by accident (fault of an acting SLPO, generally), so my son's had given them all his cell phone # to be able to call if we had any issues with getting on to base. But each graduation will be different. 

We were there early morning. Some classes had a 2 week leave after their graduation, my son did not - he had a 3-day liberty but we thought he only had off until Sunday night, so had planned to leave early Monday morning. Instead, we went to the bowling alley nearby and played some games, at something from the Subway across the street, I think and then I started driving, with my youngest and I not getting as far as we had intended, especially with us headed into the Appalachian Mtns. But I kept my Semper Gumby muscles working and I had not made hotel reservations for our return trip. 

Okkaye303 - Congratulations to your Sailor!!!  I am loosing track and did not realize he was that far along. I do not know for certain if they show Prototype online. I was hunting for information and could not find it. The best option is to check with ombudsman or to look on FB. 

They finally posted some pictures of my son's Prototype graduation online, but it was a month or so later and 4 years ago!

I went to A School graduation, but that was about 8 years ago, pre-COVID. It was small and low-key. Power School graduation was a Big Deal.

Because of Covid we were not allowed to go to the A school graduation but we did go down and celebrated with our son afterwards. Nice to hear from you MomofJoseph, glad your son is doing well.

I went to our son’s A School graduation (pre Covid) and was very glad I did. There were actually 4 different classes graduating that day so was larger than some. But still very low key. Got to meet some of my sons friends and command. Then got to fly home with my son the next day for his leave. If I had it to do again I would definitely do exactly the same thing. 

My son's Power School graduation was moved inside to the Bowman Center, due to rain that weekend. We actually had two separate ceremonies. Ours was the 2nd one, so those families went to the galley to wait around till our turn. The one thing I did not know though was the gift shop for buying coins and memorabilia was only open until noon and I just missed getting to go in when my son finally said something and was trying to direct us there. 

WearsLargeHats, ProudOfK, MoMom, CSW, Northwoodsmom - It is good to hear from all of you!! Have a great RED Friday!!

We were not able to attend A School graduation bec of covid. No liberty just the long weekend Monday was President’s Day, reported That Tuesday. But we’re able to attend Power School, if I remember it correctly my son asked for our Ssn, DL and a copy of vax card 2 months prior to graduation, he can have as much as 8 guests. 2 weeks prior to grad a negative test result was allowed taken 3 days prior to graduation if guests are not fully vax. At the gate they just checked our names, didn’t even look our DL and vax card. I’ve seen BC grad  they don’t wear masks anymore. 

Today my son is at the Prototype grad not to graduate but to support his friends. He’s supposed to be in this graduation but if you remember he was slide back bec of Pink eye allergy last year around this time of the year. Fine with me! If I could only prolonged his stay in GC (lol- I’m not ready for deployment, etc) 

His schedule btw is 12 midnight to 12nn (flexi hours) Off Thursday  and Friday 

Congratulations to our graduates! Happy for y’all and God Bless 

Here's the link to the NPTU Charleston Ombudsman facebook group.  Lots of good info there:

NPTU Charleston Ombudsman - FaceBook

I was able to attend A school graduation.  My sailors class was rather large, but that was also 4+ years ago.  Was able to meet several of his mates and was really a very intimate ceremony.  There was no leave for my son as he started Power school a few days later.  This was the only graduation I was able to attend as PowerSchool graduation was cancelled due to hurricane Matthew.  He was stationed at Ballston Spa for Prototype and there was no graduation ceremony, but he did get leave for a month before he left for the fleet.  
He completed sea duty in 2021 and is now once again stationed in Ballston Spa

Mom ofJoseph I went the the A school graduation about a month ago. It was very nice and organized. 

Gigi - Those Prototype schedules can be hard! As well as the T-track ones. But it is all preparation for their time in the fleet. Nights are generally hard for my sailor. When he was doing them at Prototype, I was thankful that his sister was available for him to call her in the morning and talk as he drove back to his apartment (and his were fairly close.)

Thank you so much for the feedback about A school graduation!  We are blessed to be only 4 hours away, so I am trying to take advantage of every opportunity to see my son!

And thank you for all of you who shared your experiences.  I cried this morning as I read your posts.  (Not that they were emotional, just feeling all the feels of your experiences with your Sailors!)

MomofJoseph - BNMHs!! Your post is a blessing too, knowing we are still able to be helping out the next in line.  

MomofJoseph, absolutely take those opportunities! If I didn’t live so far away, I would have visited often. Once they’re out in the fleet, circumstances can be even more unpredictable. Long hours, deployments and underways, so many things can make visits difficult. Enjoy those times! 

momc - B did prototype in Ballston Spa and he really liked it there.  We were able to visit him twice - and once was for prototype graduation.  They held it in a community center - this was back in January of 2015.  It's a beautiful area - aside from the cold I had a wonderful time lol!  I didn't think they were having anyone go through proto there still.

B’sNukeMoM-

My son loved the area as well, and bought a house there and if all works out after his duty is complete, he may remain there.  He enjoys winter sports, which is a deviate plus for him.  We visited him during prototype and then again last fall after he moved into his home.
From what I understand, prototype will happen once again I. Ballston Spa, but no start up date has yet been set.  Time will tell and my son may have completed his enlistment before that even happens

MomofJoseph - Aww I cried too as I read you cried. Hug tight!! Yes try to visit as much as you can, we’re 10 hours drive and already visit about 9x.  Already booked on Memorial Weekend but I think he’s not off on those days.

Chipmunk - he’s day schedule this week Ha! He shared with me his calendar but having a hard time interpreting, it’s pretty easy but … just crazy. I’m not sure if I can share it here so we can all figure out?? I guess I’m just boiling that I couldn’t see any days off in May for over 2 weeks lol 

Happy Tuesday B’sNukeMom and everyone 

I know when B was in proto the hours were as follows:

Swing - 11:30am-11:30pm

Mids - 7pm-7am

Days - 7am-7pm

They would do this for a certain # of days - I don't quite remember - someone help me out here please - and then they would switch.  And after one of the switches they would get 3 days off.  I think maybe the 3 days off was once a month - again I don't remember.

Swing to mids to days and then the cycle would repeat - it's definitely a schedule not for the faint of heart!

I don't recall if it is going from nights to days or days to nights but on the ship, after one of those scenarios, I think my sailor gets an extra day off to adjust to the new schedule. 

B'sNukeMom  - This is about what I recall from my sailor in prototype. 

Gigi - Those lack of free days are not uncommon. 

B’sNukeMom- Thank you that you mentioned swings!! Been hearing it from my boy but not paying attention, and it said in the calendar! Giving me more understanding. There are 3 and 4 days off but a weekday :(

What is MTS 626 and 701?

Please delete photo if it’s not to share here. 

MTS stands for "Moored Training Ship".  Basically they are subs that have undergone a conversion to become a training ship.  MTS 626 and MTS 701 are in Charleston.

There's a FB page for MTS 626:

MTS 626

Gigi - it's ok to post that as it's info that has been posted before and can be found in the pages at the right.

Here's some info (from quite some time ago) that a prototype student posted regarding the shift work:

After Off-Crew, the students are put into a section. Each of 5 sections will be at work during a different schedule. I don't remember all the days exactly as they lined up, but I remember the hours. Day shift was from 0730 to 1930, with section muster about an hour before that. Staff and qualified students could leave at 1530 during day shift. Swing Shift was from 1130 to 2330, staff and qualified students didn't show up until 1530 those days. Midshift was from 1930 to 0730 the next day, staff and qualified students didn't muster until 2330. Each of these was 7 days long, with a couple days between to shift schedule. Often we would just stay up as long as we could after the end of day 7 to adjust as much as possible.
Denny's, the movies, then the mall were good after-day-seven activities. We also had bbq's a couple times, my landlord was very cool about letting us have people over and he reimbursed me for when I bought a grill and stuff for it.

There was another week that I'd left out earlier because it was different. And it was undeniably the student and staff's favorite week. It was called T-week, or training week. This was when the staff of each section would go to class and do continuous training about the stuff in the plant. T-week is from Monday to Thursday, from 0730 to 1930, usually we got out early on Thursday, though. Thursday was also for field day, where we spent a good 4 hours or so cleaning the training building. After T-week, we had a 4 day weekend. It was amazing. A lot of people went camping, had a party, played paintball, went to the city and hung out, some just slept. I drove home to NH, since it was only about 3 hours away, and hung out with my family.

Thank you so much B’sNukeMom!! Will dissect info into pieces when I get off from work. Will post more when I learned new or ask more…

Gigi - My sailor came back home recently from being out on an underway. He was working days this time instead of nights but said he was alternating between 12 hour shifts and 18 hour shifts. They do have some "fun" activities that they plan for the sailors and sometimes they swap watches so a fellow shipmate can participate in something they are really good at, like a chess tournament, a 5 K run, or various sports activities that they might have. It all depends on the vessel they are serving on. 

It also wasn't just the Nukes that were doing long shifts though, so our sailors are not the only ones who have to learn this juggling pattern. 

Good Morning Everyone!!

How are you all? Today is a rainy day for us here and I am doing what I can to think sunshiny thoughts today. 

Any graduations coming up? 

For all of my friends whose sailors are out to sea, or in and out of port - Love and hugs to you!!