NUKE moms

joe-mom - Congratulations to your sailor as well!!

Lancertrackmom and joe-mom - BZ to both your sailor's!  And hopefully you can meet up in May ;-D

Lancertrackmom and joe-mom I will also be in Charlston for my son's A school  graduation.

KLsewso - Congrats to your son! I'm glad you'll get to be there for A school graduation. Best of luck to him throughout the pipeline.

KLsewso - congratulations to your sailor as well. The A school graduation will be at NNPTC whereas the Prototype graduation is at Patriot's Point. But you should all friend each other.

WearsLargeHats - I am so glad you were able to visit family and get a good view of the eclipse! 

Good morning - I haven't been on in awhile, but I have seen comments through my email. My son will be graduating A School in June :) We're making plans to be there. Does anyone know when they are granted leave after graduation? Is it the day of graduation? Thank you 

G'sNavyMom - Congratulations to your son on his upcoming graduation. As for leave after A school, to my knowledge those who receive the approximately 2 week leave, should be free after graduation, unless they have to stand watch or something. 

My son's situation was a little different, due to some weather issues, he was only granted a 3-day liberty, and he was not technically on liberty until I think 1600 or 1700 (4 - 5 PM). In other words, he had to be near enough to NNPTC, that he could easily get back if needed. He may have even needed to be able to get his NWUs on as well. (So, if he was staying at the motel with us in GC, he had to have that uniform with him.) He thought his liberty was going to only be until Sunday, so my younger son and I had planned to drive back Monday morning. Then my sailor found out they actually had liberty Sat - Mon. We had to check out of the motel, so we met our son Monday morning at the small NEX where you can park outside of NNPTC. The bowling alley is nearby, so we went and bowled a few games with him before we headed out. We were driving, so we had a little more flexibility. 

If you are flying back home and he is going with you, I would plan to not leave until the next morning. You can always go into Charleston and have dinner or go to the beach. 

Sorry - I inadvertently used leave instead of liberty in the later part of my text. 

Liberty has more restrictions on the radial distance which your sailor can be from NNPTC, and I believe they can always be called back from liberty if they are instructed to. Whereas Leave, is granted vacation, which they have to get a Chit (leave form) approved and signed, and time off is deducted from their leave (vacation) earnings. Liberty is time off built into their schedule with school, so to speak. 

Chipmunk - thank you for your response and information.  It sounds like your son had quite the experience after graduation. We sure don't know what our situation will be like. Every situation seems to be so unique.  

We are planning on driving so we have some flexibility. My son did say he will have leave for 2 weeks. He will be coming back home with us :).

Any suggestions on what to do or where to go after graduation in Charleston? We are planning to be there the day prior and the day after graduation. 

Also, any suggestions on A school graduation gifts? I send my son themed care packages once a month, so he has quite a bit of things already.  

Thank you💙⚓️

G'sNavyMom - You are welcome! Yes, each graduation has many similarities, but there can also be exceptions and you won't know what those are except from your sailor. Traveling by car, does allow a lot more flexibility. 

Does your son have his car with him yet? He will need a vehicle by the time he starts Prototype, since they have to find their own housing. Planning on carpooling with roommates may not be feasible depending on their school/watch schedule. 

As for places to visit - this discussion was from 2011 for a class that was graduating, but I found it when searching for the one that I am bumping into the queue above. A-School Class 1152T - There were a couple of posts in that discussion about places to visit and places to stay. Keep in mind it was pre-Covid. 

Also, I just replied to a comment on this post, and it is back in the discussion queue above - Sightseeing in Charleston This discussion has been commented on several times since I have been around. I appreciate when others add to it with newer, more recent information. It is one B'sNukeMom and I repost at times, so it is good place to share ideas. 

As for gifts, we took care of other expenses for our son and just traveling to see him with multiple family members at times was our gift to him. 

This is listed as a kid's toy, which is when my son received his first one. We since gave it as a gift as well, and I also purchased another one for my son after he wore his other one out. He used the flashlight to read his non-backlit Kindle all the time. But he liked it as well because it had no exposed metal parts and he could use it on the ship. Carson X-scope 

The link is to Amazon, but his original one had been purchased at a local store as a birthday present for him. It is not very expensive and if it is lost or stolen (as things do go missing on ships), it is not a huge loss. My son enjoyed camping, the outdoors, and reading in bed so it was a cool toy / gift for him. One of the few things which he kept ahold of. 

Chipmunk- this is great information..thank you! I will look into the gift suggestion.  My son would like this,  too. 

As far as a car for him, we are working on it. We plan to help him out with this.

My son's 19th birthday is in a few weeks. We are flying there to see him and take him out to celebrate him. We figured we should do this while we can, as we don't know how many more years we'll/he'll be able to do it. He says there's some amazing places in Charleston him and his friends have gone to. We are looking forward to both trips.

G'sNavyMom - You are welcome!! Yes, take the opportunities to see him whenever you are able to. My son was on a ship during covid, and no one could travel. We missed those times and now he is married and still living on the east coast, since his wife is staying in the Navy. It is a several days drive for us just one way, and flying is still expensive for us with other responsibilities that we have. 

We drove a car out to our son while he was in T-track. Mostly, the timing just worked out and he had more liberty available then, than if we had done it during Power School (PS). His sister had a car to give to him, so that is why we drove one vehicle to return in and the car for my son. Some people have had their cars shipped to their sailors. My son was about the same age as yours and so this gave him time to practice driving again, as he only had gotten his license a few months before he left for BC. He did have a bicycle and rode that around GC, so he got familiar with the GPS on his phone. When they are in Prototype, they work/school odd hour shifts as they are learning what it is like to be on the watch bill on a ship. There were mornings when he would call me really early to talk to me, just to help him stay awake after being at Prototype all night long. Thankfully, he also had a sister who was available during that time to call at all hours if I couldn't manage to. I was glad he had the car during PS to get used to driving around the area some before he started Prototype. 

Hi, Moms!  I am so excited for you for the upcoming graduations!!!  I wanted to add something about our experience with leave, and I hope I can explain it well. 

Our son graduated from A school two years ago.  His class was the first to graduate after Power School class-up, so he had to wait 10 weeks for the next Power School class to start.  Since everyone before him moved up, his class did not get immediate leave.  They had to be on watch duty.  His leave was 8 weeks after graduation, and he got 10 days.  When his leave was over, he started Power School.  (All the other classes were given leave as soon as they graduated.)

Also, I am so excited for everyone who gets to attend graduation.  Each one was so special for us!  A School only had one graduating class (but I think usually there are two), so it was really small and intimate and sweet.  Power School graduation was massive and inspiring.  Prototype graduation was medium-sized and really cool because we got to hear where each Sailor would be stationed.

One tip for Power School graduation.  They announced that parents are welcome to walk to the front to take pictures, but parents were a little hesitant at first.  My son's class was the first to graduate, and I feel bad for the people whose last names started with A through M because they didn't get up to the front on time.  Our name is near the end of the alphabet, so my husband got some good pictures.  So my advice is don't be shy about coming up front, and especially if your Sailor is in the first group!!!

Chipmunk - That’s what we plan on doing,  is driving a car to him to use while in SC. The needs and demands are stressful enough, we figured we will do what we can to help however we can. Thank you for sharing your experiences.  It is very helpful.

MomofJoseph - thank you for sharing. This information is helpful,  too. This goes to show, you never know what situation your Sailor will be in. It certainly is the Navy way and you MUST be flexible.  That isn't always easy trying to plan things. Thank you also for the pictures tip!!

Chipmunk - your post about your son calling while driving home from Prototype brought back suppressed memories!  LOL.  My son and his roommates lived 30 minutes from base.  They were assigned the same schedule so they could ride together, but he often chose to drive separately.  I wrote his schedule on my calendar so I would know when to expect those early morning phone calls.  That was just over a year ago, and I had already forgotten about those sleep-deprived times!  :-)

MomofJoseph - When my son was on the ship and while they weren't deployed, they went on lots of under ways. Those Prototype days were just training and preparation for standing the watch bill that the Nukes have to get used to. And for me, it was always worse when I knew he was driving back and forth to the shipyards or the base to go to work. As hard as it is when they are out to sea, I at least knew he wasn't driving back and forth in busy traffic after a 12 - 14 hour shift. 

Yes, Chipmunk, I am sure that was prepping me for the future.  BC taught me to always have my phone on me in case my Sailor calls.  I feel like each new adventure is prepping me for the future!  I really appreciate those of you who have gone before us and are helping us navigate these "waters"  :-)

Those were good times. I always made sure my sons calls would ring through and hated it if I didn’t hear the ring tone on those middle of the night calls. 

My Son Creek as a junior staff instructor But is on limited duty due to an injury right now. His girlfriend picks him up from work every day. Selfishly what I miss the most are the phone calls when he would drive home from work. It seems like now we only talk when there’s something that has to be said instead of just chitchatting during his drive home. 

Was supposed to say my son is still in goose Creek as a junior staff instructor. Auto correct is Horrible sometimes

MomofJoseph - You are welcome!

DsMom2020 - Thanks for explaining that auto correct error!! I was having a really hard time figuring that one out. :-) !

Even early in the morning, yes, I appreciated having those casual chats with my sailor as well. 

DsMom2020 - I get that!  My son called Wednesday as he was walking through Walmart, trying to remember what he was there for.  :-)  It's mundane chitchat, but I treasure it.  Yesterday he was on duty and I didn't hear from him, and I missed it.  I'm going to be a BASKETCASE when he is underway!!! (or when he has a girlfriend LOL)

So my girl will be heading to S.C. here shortly. When she graduates bootcamp, should i take a little bag with me to the airport for her that has 2 changes of clothes in it? Or should I just let her buy her own clothes later on? I read they aren't allowed their own stuff right away, and if that's the case, I sure don't want to send her with anything to get her in trouble.

AxolotlMom - They don't have a lot of room in their bags. My son asked us to bring a couple of hoodies, his swim trunks and running shoes. Anything else he needed, he just bought in SC. The NEX has most of what they need. He got a great deal on a laptop there. All the best to your daughter - it's an exciting time!

AxototMom - I don't recall if I brought my son's running shoes to him in GL or not. But I did bring a set of pj clothes and underwear for him. Otherwise, I mailed to him what he wanted for civilian clothes once he was able to wear them outside of his BEQ. (Bachelor Enlisted Quarters). We also brought his phone/charger and Kindle to the airport. He did not have a laptop yet but bought his at the BestBuy in Charleston. 

AxototMom - It's amazing how much I have forgotten, but I do remember that we did not give him anything to take to the airport.  Part of the issue with us is that he graduated on a Wednesday and didn't fly out until Tuesday.  We left GL on Sunday.  Also, he arrived just after Thanksgiving and was given leave three weeks later for Christmas.  We only live 4 hours from Charleston, so anything that he needed, we could drive it to him.

But the one thing I remember the most is that we bought him a fleece Navy blanket, and he definitely wanted that in his room.

It has been a long time (10-1/2 years!) since my son went from boot to NPTC but, still, I would advise taking it slow. They have limited space in transit. Wait until she gets there and tells you what she needs and where to send it. IIRC and things haven't changed, they can't wear civilian clothes until they phase up anyway. The NEX is walking distance (for Sailors) and has everything.

Hello, I haven’t posted in a very long time..but wanted to add to the discussion. My son graduated from bootcamp Feb 2022 and departed for Goose Creek by bus about 12 hours later. So, our meeting after graduation was brief, about four hours, before he had to return to Base to prepare for his departure in a few hours. From what he told me, everyone stayed up until they left, and slept on the bus. I brought his cell phone with us, and he was able to catch up with friends and family for those few hours while off base at our hotel. He was allowed to keep the phone after graduation but had limited use (from my recollection). Then I flew to Charleston two weeks later, arrived on a Friday night, with his laptop and a full suitcase of his requested clothing, shoes, toiletries. I think I also packed a blanket. He had limited time off base on that Saturday, so we went to lunch and more shopping in Charleston. Although he had very limited storage space in his dorm room at Goose Creek, the suitcase fit in his closet. It worked out well, I’m glad I had that time with him before his classes began.

There was an article in Navy Times about a recent policy change at Boot Camp that recruits will have some access to their cell phones while in boot. That would imply that they would have them when they graduate. The change to allow limited cell phone use was to lower attrition, but I suspect the Navy also wants to get rid of all the remaining land lines and pay phones at RTC. No point of paying for that when practically all of the recruits are bringing devices with them.

Hello!!  My son called last week or so to say he qualified!!  Graduation is coming up and then he is off to see the world at some point.  I know that his paperwork isn't completed or ready just yet. Not sure what happens in that case. I have so many questions in regards to living on a ship and abroad and whatnot  I hope all of you are having a great day!

JNMnavymomOH - Congratulations on your son qualifying! I am interested on how and when they get your son to join up with the ship after it leaves. Hope he gets to join before some of their port calls! I sent you a note with (hopefully) lots of answers.  I feel like I've had to extract every bit of information from my son but it is what it is and he is getting ready for his first deployment. Not sure how I feel about it but I know he is excited so will stick with "happy for him, sad for me" as I'm sure is the usual mom response. 

AxolotlMom - It was a few years ago now but my son mostly wanted good underwear (not the navy stuff) and pajama pants and sweatshirts, etc.A good blanket. I know he and friends slept on their beds with a blanket rather than having to make them every day incase of inspection. The housing at NNPTC was very cold he said but no one wanted them to fix the a/c because they figured they could add layers but if it got too warm they were stuck. 

JNMnavymomOH - BZ to your son!

WLH - wow - 10 1/2 years - how time flies!

The NPTU Ship's Store will be at all 3 graduations selling T-shirts, coins, tumblers and much more.  *They only accept cash payment at this time.

Click on the picture below to enlarge.