NUKE moms

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.

B'sNukeMom - Thanks!! This is always a special day in our house!! 

And I just found out from my sailor family that it is also Free Comic Book Day. I guess the 1st Saturday of May was set aside years ago by Stan Lee to help encourage literacy by offering a free comic book. 

Welcome to our newest members ~ nukenavymamabear and Milanen!

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 (21) 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.

nukenavymamabear &Milanen  - Welcome to the Nuke Mom group. We range in experience from our sailors being Nuke veterans all the way to just arrived at NNPTC in SC. The comment wall area is the best place to ask questions, post comments and stay connected. 

My sailor has been out for almost a year now. He finished his enlistment as an ETN2. He is now currently going to college with his GI Bill and also signed up for the Reserves. 

My countdown has begun!  I leave Friday for MI - Oli's party is Saturday and he turns 1 on Monday!!  I am one happy Lolli!

Welcome new members!

B's - Love that pic! Enjoy your visit with your kids and that adorable Oli. 

Good news on my end. After about 10 months of not speaking to us (reason unknown), our son finally reconnected with us last week at his Prototype graduation. We attended the ceremony uninvited, but were fortunate enough to be able to see him graduate and then spend some quality time with him during our stay in Charleston. My expectations were low, and it could have gone in a negative direction, but wow - God worked on my behalf! I just want to thank all of you Navy moms who sent prayers and good vibes during this frustrating time in my life, with a special shout-out to Q'sMomma and JNMNavyMomOH. You both have been amazing, and I'm so lucky to have you as long-distance friends. Hope we're able to meet again someday. BNMHs!

joe-mom - tears of happiness for you right now!  So glad you decided to go and that your son was receptive to seeing you.  I'm sure your heart is happy!

Thanks B's! My heart is unbelievably full.

Joe’sMom - congratulations. Don’t know how you survived the silence but I am very happy to hear you have reconnected!!! 

DsMom - Thank you! Prayers for you and your son as he continues to improve and move into the next phase. He's overcome some huge obstacles, and I love how you've been right there with him through it all. Hugs to you!

Joe-mom - I was so pleased to hear your good news!! This has been a long stretch of uncertainty and I hope that your weekend with your sailor has opened up the lines of communication a little bit more. 

Thank you also for sharing in your various groups on this site, offering information and words of encouragement even when you were struggling yourself!

B'sNukeMom - such an adorable picture!! Have safe travels!!

Q'sMomma and JNMNavyMomOH - Were you also able to attend Prototype graduation? I hope so!! I apologize, if I am forgetting past comments you may have shared. 

Hi ya'll. So mine is just beginning A school. This is her first week there. She texted this weekend and was looking forward to getting started. I haven't texted her and won't as I know she's gonna be extremely busy and overwhelmed. I have definitely embraced the 'no news is good news' so I'm not worried a bit. I figure she will text when she can. Right now she's doing what she needs to be doing.  I have given up reading TOO much about what she's doing as it just makes me anxious. Plus, this is her adventure and I just want to hear everything from her. Don't get me wrong, I do read a little bit, but I don't go into details. The less I know, the less I can say, right? LOL  

Thanks Chipmunk - I fly out in the morning.  I'm nervous but excited.  Good thing is, I fly back to CA with them on the 17th because we will be celebrating my MIL's 90th birthday (and another little celebration for Oliver)!

AxolotlMom - That sounds like a good plan for keeping in touch with your daughter and learning things from her perspective. I know you don't want to read too much, but if you haven't read my discussion, Nuke A school daily schedule - You may want to, just so you have a little better idea of what her day might look like. Also, since it has been many years since my son was at NNPTC, it would be helpful for you to add any updates to that discussion. You can post a reply at the end of the discussion. My son was much more informative than many of the other male sailors who were there during my son's training time. So, that is why I wrote it. Our female sailors tend to stay more communicative with their moms, so you might glean some updated information that would be helpful for others. COVID changed many things and I am not sure what is back to the "old" way, and what is "new."

Oh B'sNukeMom  - that sounds like such a wonderful visit and upcoming family time!!

AxolotlMom - You have the right attitude for sure. All the best to your daughter!

Happy Mother's Day to all of you. You lift me up in ways you don't even know.

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day!! 

For those in the Los Angeles area: an aircraft carrier will be open for public tours next weekend (Fleet Week).

Morning ya'll...so my kid passed her first exam yesterday. She said the schooling is a bit different than anything she's done before (high school, college). She is learning things she had no prior knowledge of. She was a bit apprehensive at first (she's an EMN) and thought maybe she would be better suited or an MMN. Now, she's getting the hang of it and said "I think I'll do alright here".  She went to Charleston with some friends last weekend and had a good time. She was back on base by 7:30pm and let me know that she was back. I didn't ask her to text me, but I'm super glad she did. She's turning out to be a pretty responsible kid. :) 

AxolotMom - that is such wonderful news!!!  I love that your daughter texted you to let you know she was safely back!  And such good news that she passed her first exam.  She will be so proud of herself as she continues this journey.  It's definitely different (and more difficult) than anything they have done prior!  

I am so happy for her (and  for you!)

AxolotlMom - Congratulations to your daughter!! Those little extra texts messages mean so much. My son would occasionally just text me " Good night" after a long evening of studying. Nuke school is a completely different beast!! 

I’m having major issues with the site and can only post from my phone/tablet.

trying to get it resolved ASAP

Looks like I'm back up and running.  Issues with Google Chrome but my IT people figured it out!