NUKE moms

A place to come for support and guidance for anyone with a loved one in the nuke program ⚓️.

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  • Pizanche

    CSW congrats!!! Exciting new chapters coming up! Enjoy

  • Chipmunk

    I so appreciate those who replied to Lancertrackmom - I am home after driving a long time and a week with the new grandbaby, & granddaughter and I am beat. I will have to catch up in a few days!

    CSW - Don't stray too far!!

    B'sNukeMom - So happy and excited for you!!

  • B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)

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  • B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)

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  • Chipmunk

    CSW - Mine is about 6 months behind yours!

  • B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)

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  • B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)

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  • joe-mom

    Question for the more seasoned Nuke moms out there: What is the cell phone policy for sailors brand new to Goose Creek? My son has been there a week now (currently in Indoc, I'm guessing). We've tried to contact him a couple of times, to no avail. And he missed his sister's birthday, which is out of character. We're assuming he doesn't have access to his phone yet, though we were under the impression that they were allowed phone privileges on the weekends. Not a big deal - just curious about this new-to-us process! Thanks all!

  • Chipmunk

    Joe-mom and any other new moms. Be sure to read my son's A school schedule discussion above. Q's Momma pretty much nailed it. 

    Joe-mom - I would suggest contacting the ombudsman - and also texting your son or send an email. If he is still INDOC, you may also use this address to mail a letter to him. The letters are delivered to their classes. Packages are held for them. 

    NNPTC OMBUDSMAN CONTACT INFO:

    (843) 296-9426

    This is posted above as well if you lose it. 

    Saturday mornings were the best times for conversations with my son. I will get the address and post in a minute. 

  • Chipmunk

    This information can be found (tucked away) on this group - Nuke A School FAQ - Navy For Moms (ning.com)

    Boxes, Packages and letters can be sent through Snail Mail ( US Postal Service ),

    FedEX ( Federal Express )  and UPS ( United Parcel Service )

    Using the below in processing address as the class number.

     

     For those going to MM and EM Nuke A-Schools

     

                         FN  Last, First MI         ( note:  FN or Fireman      is used for  MMs and EMs )

                         101 NNPTC Cir.

                         Class # Indoc

                         Goose Creek, SC 29445

     

     For those going to ET  Nuke A-School

     

                         SN  Last, First MI         ( note:   SN or Seaman        is used for ETs  )

                         101 NNPTC Cir.

                         Class # Indoc

                         Goose Creek, SC 29445

     

    (Class # will change to reflect current info as he progresses through the pipeline at NNPTC)

    USPS, FedEx, and UPS all make daily deliveries on base during the week, so if you can send a package by those means, the student can receive it through the base mailing system.

    Note – having items arrive before the student may have unpredictable results

    Sorry about the formatting 

  • joe-mom

    Q's Momma and Chipmunk - Thank you both very much for the feedback! I'm sure he's still adjusting to the schedule, roommate, and all the things. Nice to have a mailing address now!

  • JNMnavymomOH

    My son heard stories from others about not getting packages or mail and things missing.  So he went and paid for a post mail box at the mini NEX...or the shop next to it.  It was reasonably priced he said and he can extend the rental length.  

  • Chipmunk

    joe-mom - Once he classes up, his address will change, so just text him and remind him the same as Q's Momma, just a thumbs up, a Good night. Something. 

    And know that their chiefs and instructors do remind them to reach out to home and let Momma know they are okay, because the command does not like to hear from upset Mommas!!

    JNMnavymomOH - I did not realize they had PO boxes available. I don't recall if it was you, or someone else that had asked about mailboxes, but that is good to know. 

  • 99maui

    Hello, I don't think I've posted anything on this blog since I joined...but I appreciate all of the information! My son is in Nuke School, about half way thru Power School. "A school" was tough, and I didn't hear from him often but he tried to check in once a week with an update on how he did on a test. Graduation was nice and we are so glad we went (we are in California).  Power School seems much better for him, he seems less stressed and overall more confident. I'm not sure if that is a common feeling with most, but it's been a better experience as compared to A School.  Regarding mail...that was a bit of a nightmare for us. He didn't have a problem receiving mail in boot camp but at Goose Creek it's "hit and miss"....especially if you send a package. He recently got a p.o. box at the local NEX and it is much better (and fairly inexpensive). I hope this info may help someone. Overall Nuke School has been "fine"....it's hard...high expectations...but overall I feel he is supported and the experience is positive. A lot of "growing up" is going on, that's for sure.

  • Northwoodsmom

    You gals are lucky, when my son was there he was on a waiting list to get a P.O. box. He did finally get one but it took a while. I am happy all your Sailors are doing well.

    Yes, if your Sailor has a chance to come home please talk to them into taking that leave. My big hearted boy stayed so others could get to come home. That was 3 years ago and we are still waiting for the chance of a Christmas reunion. Hopeful for this year but I hate getting my hopes up just to be disappointed in the end.

  • MomofJoseph

    99maui, I wonder if my son and yours are in the same class at Power School?  I'd say my son is a little over halfway through.  Graduating in March 2023.

  • Chipmunk

    99maui - I am glad that your sailor is doing much better in Power School. I think A school can be a little bit of a shock for some and then they start settling in. 

    I don't think we knew there were PO boxes available and I did mail several packages to my son, but I generally mailed Priority Mail boxes on Wednesday because from my location they generally arrived by Friday. They only have the mail room open until ? 5 pm M-F and then until noon on Saturday. The sailors have to go pick up their packages and sometimes a mail slip can get missed notifying them. I always watched the tracking on my packages and would even send it to my son and I would let him know that it had arrived. Some times it takes a day for the mail room to process. One mom mentioned putting colored duck tape, I think on her packages so that her sailor would be able to recognize it. 

    Do NOT send money, even gift cards in letters, and especially not in something that looks like a birthday card. Like it or not, thievery does occur. Instead, put money directly into your sailor's bank account!

    MomofJoseph - my son's Power School graduation was Mid-March. Sometime around March or April there is a huge flower festival in the area - then again that might have been August. I would definitely pay attention to activities in the region and as soon as you have a graduation date, make your motel reservations w/ cancellation options, ALWAYS!

    Northwoodsmom - Staying hopeful for that sailor visit home!!

  • 99maui

    Chipmunk- Good Morning! Thank you for the advice, great ideas. I actually send all packages via Priority mail, track and send my son photos of the receipt. It seemed to work "ok" for the first month, but the end of Summer it was a mess. It took him over two weeks to receive a package he could see sitting in the mailroom. Apparently the documentation was incorrect on the retrieval slip given to my son so they couldn't release until all this paperwork was done...or something of that nature. In any event, he / we decided it best to get a P.O. box and now he gets his mail within days of me sending...MUCH BETTER!

  • Chipmunk

    99maui - Welcome to military FUBAR!!  I am so sorry that happened to your son - frustrating for sure!! 

    It is probably a good thing it did not happen on my son's watch. There are some things that this Momma Bear goes into attack mode on. Interestingly, I had more difficulty with packages being delivered to his apartments when he moved to Prototype.  There was a mess with what the apartment complex told us was the mailing address and what the PO said it was. 

  • B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)

  • B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)

    Happy Thanksgiving!

  • B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)

  • Chipmunk

    Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!

    I hope we had some Advancement announcements come through for some of our sailors!!

  • Pizanche

    Happy Thanksgiving all!!  to those who have their sailor's home - hug them close. for the rest of us it is memories of prior years!

  • Chipmunk

    Pizanche - I am there with you on the memories!!

  • B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)

  • Chipmunk

    LOL!!!

  • MomofJoseph

    Pizanche - I hope that your Thanksgiving memories were really sweet and that you'll be reunited with your Sailor soon!  

    We had planned to go to GC for Thanksgiving, but on Wednesday, the travel radius was increased for this weekend.  My son surprised us and came home.  Grateful that he is stateside and on a semi-normal schedule at GC.  Dreading when he goes into the fleet and we'll have to do holidays without him.  But I am treasuring this season.

  • Chipmunk

    Welcome Home USS Gerald R Ford!!

    Many families will have their Thanksgiving today, others like my son will eat leftovers, brought back to him by his wife from her family's Thanksgiving. For me, I will just be happy to have a phone call from him. 

    I know this time out to sea was not the same as many of you have experienced with your sailors on deployment, but I am just glad that my sailor had a chance to visit a few places in new ports of call. 

    For our newer members, we generally remind everyone that our Nukes are usually the last ones off the ship and rarely take part in any of the welcome home fanfare. Some of them, as do other sailors, end up having a duty day and stand watch so are not able to disembark until the next day back in port. 

  • Lancertrackmom

    I was able to go see my son in Goose Creek for Thanksgiving. Of course the night before I left to drive down I fell down the stairs and messed up my knee but I was able to drive down and spend Thanksgiving Day with my son and he and my daughter went shopping on Friday. He wanted to get back and study so we had dinner and left Friday. We drove around Charleston and he pointed out where he hangs out and it was nice to hear stories about the guys in his class. I never thought I’d hear him say he needs to go study!

  • Pizanche

    MomofJoseph - so happy for you! the surprises are the best.  My sailor was not able to come home for Thanksgiving, but I am hoping for Christmas! 

  • Pizanche

    Lancertrackmom - sorry you got hurt, but so happy that you could still got see your sailor! 

  • The Hammer

    It is heartwarming to read about so many happy reunions during the Thanksgiving holiday… thank you for sharing!

    Here’s to all the momma’s out there, like me, whose sailor is deployed on either a carrier or a sub this holiday season. We are strong, we are resilient… we are the Ridgeline that holds thru the strongest storms. God bless.

  • mamabearto3

    What are the requirements for NNPTC graduations? I am trying to find something on this site but not having any luck.

  • Chipmunk

    mamabearto3 - Good Morning!! I missed your question last night and was falling asleep trying to reply elsewhere.

    Can you be more specific with your question please. Are you asking about requirements for those attending? 

    I don't know that masks are required. I believe with all of the graduations my son had to inform his SLPO who was attending and for those going to A school and PS graduations, I think we had to give him our SSN, birthday, & current address, at least the one that would match our DL. As I recall, Prototype graduation was a lot less formal on the USS Yorktown as far as admission. Our sailor was with us, to escort us, and they were very gracious with us at both the main entrance and at the boat. 

    I hope that is what you were asking about. As far as for your sailor, I don't have specifics, other than they have to pass with above a certain average. 

  • Chipmunk

    The Hammer - BNMHs!!!

  • B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)

    Welcome to our newest members ~ joe-mom and Bri!

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    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.

  • B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)

    Welcome to our newest member ~ obrnkim!

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    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.

  • B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)

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  • MomofJoseph

    Hi, Bri, joe-mom, and obrnkim!  (joe-mom and I met on the BC page!)

    This is a great group of moms with a lot of experience and great advice!  (I've only been here 1 year, so I'm still learning lots!)  Hope your sailor enjoys NNPTC!

  • joe-mom

    Thanks MomofJoseph, and what a wonderful surprise from your son! I'm catching up with postings after the long holiday weekend... hope you all had a happy Thanksgiving with family and friends, even if you were not able to spend time with your sailors. Mine sent a text Thursday afternoon. Was hoping for a call, but at this point I'll take communication of any kind! He's trying to qualify for all the watches, so he has limited phone time.

    Lancertrackmom - So sorry about your fall but very happy you were able to make the trip to GC. Hope your knee heals quickly!

    Pizanche, The Hammer & everyone else who may not see their sailors during the holidays - Prayers for your sailors, wherever they are, and hoping for a reunion soon.

  • B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)

    Trees for Troops at Joint Base Charleston - click on the link:

    Trees for Troops at Joint Base Charleston

    FedEx Freight will deliver fresh, farm-grown Christmas trees to military families at Joint Base Charleston as part of the Trees for Troops program. The trees will be given away on December 2nd to the Joint Base Charleston community, beginning with Active Duty Service members. You must show your ID to receive a tree; one per customer.

  • B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)

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  • B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)

    From the NPTU Facebook site - see below.  Click on the picture to enlarge or open image in new tab so it's easier to read.

  • B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)

    Check out the upcoming COMPASS Charleston session!

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    Are you a new or seasoned spouse with questions about PCS, benefits, deployment, finance, etc? FREE virtual session Jan 17-19 from 6-9pm EST to learn knowledge and resources for a successful military life. https://www.nsfamilyline.org/compass-registration
  • B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)

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  • Chipmunk

    Bri, joe-mom, and obrnkim - Welcome Aboard!! 

    Bri & obrnkim - even though you have SRs still at BC, please don't hesitate to ask questions about the Nuke pipeline as we call the Nuke training. And as B'sNukeMom said, be sure to check out my post above of what their A school schedule may look like. My son helped me put that together when he was there in 2017, so it has been a bit. It is hard to believe that his enlistment is up next summer. 

    There is also some PS information, if you read on through. And I don't recall if I put Prototype information there as well, or if I created another discussion about it. My son is an ETN2 now, he did not Star Reenlist, he just worked hard to rank up to E-5.  (All of this will make more sense the longer you are with us.)

    joe-mom - Your son is doing what my son referred to as UIs (Under Instruction). And it is great that he is getting his watch training done early on, either while INDOC or at the beginning of A school. All of the Nuke sailors have to complete their UIs prior to graduation from A school, so that during T-Track they are qualified to stand watches, until they class up for Power School. 

    I am hopeful for all of you with sailors at NNPTC, that they will be able to come home for the holidays during stand down time. 

  • joe-mom

    Chipmunk - Thanks for explaining UIs. I love getting these new pieces of information as we go through this process. Your A school schedule post is also very helpful!

    Welcome all new members!

  • JNMnavymomOH

    I will have to ask my son about UIs.  I purchased his plane tickets for him to come home, but we don't know yet for sure.  Or if he does know, he hasn't said anything to me.  My son is really feeling his freedom, at the Nerd NEX.  And I have sent 3 packages so far.  2 snacks and 1 clothes.  He got a mail box instead of using the base mail.  Not to bad of pricing either. I believe my son is 2309A.

  • B'sNukeMoM⚓️MMN(Vet)

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