NUKE moms

JNMnavymomOH - I don't know the answer to your question about parking the vehicle, but wanted to tell you that we are here for you during this challenge of BC all over again.  I'm not there yet (my son's boat hasn't deployed yet) but I'm here for support as much as I can!  BNMH to you! <3

JNMnavymomOH - The Norfolk, VA area is very large, and my understanding is that the public transportation system is not very conducive to a sailor's needs. It is almost a must to have a vehicle. 

Good evening:) I haven't posted in awhile, but I wanted to stop in and say hi and to share my sailor graduated from A school recently with honors!! We are so very proud of him. He worked so hard and we couldn't be any more proud! We drove to SC for graduation. It was a long ride, but worth it!!! We are enjoying him for 10 days. He's exhausted and catching up on rest and seeing loved ones.  While he's been home, he was sworn in at our local American Legion. They are super proud and supportive of him, too. It's amazing how he's changed and matured. I have struggled with him away, bc he's only 19, but so very proud! It brings tears to my eyes as to how well he's doing. I hope everyone is doing well and I hope and pray your Sailors are doing well, too 💙⚓️

G'sNavyMom - Congratulations to your sailor!!! Enjoy those hugs!!

G'sNavyMom - BZ to your son!

G'sNavyMom - That's fantastic! Congrats to your son. Enjoy your time with him and best of luck to him in power school.

JNMNavyMomOH - Hope you're hanging in there... I know how you're feeling!

joe-mom I am doing as well as can be expected.  trying to get my son ready to go to his 1st ship and just trying to get his stuff together and packed is giving me anxiety.  we only have a few days left together and I am really trying not to be all over the place emotionally.  at least not in front of him.  UGH!!

G'sNavyMom - congratulations!  That is so encouraging that your Sailor graduated with honors AND he's home!  Enjoy this time and best wishes for him in Power School.  I love that you got to go to A School graduation!  

joe-mom - You are in my prayers.  Remember to reach out (especially after he leaves) so we can encourage you!  <3

Happy Tuesday, everyone!  Hope you (and your Sailor and your family) are having a great day today!

Good Morning Everyone!!

How are we doing?

Did anyone receive letters or a phone call? Please share!

Chipmunk, we got one of those priceless 1:30AM calls from Guam. When I heard my wife's cellphone ring, I first thought "who could be calling at this hour?", then I remembered that our son is 14 hours ahead, or 10hours behind +1 day. We miss having him in the same time zone.

WearsLargeHats - Oh how wonderful!! I am glad you all were able to talk to your son. That is a booger of a time zone difference to have to deal with. 

Welcome to our newest member ~ Seahawks12!

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.

Welcome Seahawks12!

Per B'sNukeMom request, here's an update on my Nuke Submarine Sailor's status to give Mom's something to hope for.  My boy got out of the Navy after 8 years (2 were Nuke training).  He originally started college again on the Navy's dime.  I think the college life was more difficult for him since he's older than he was when he got his first degree.  When he got a job opportunity at a major trucking manufacturer, he jumped on it.  But the area was a MCOL (medium cost of living) location so the salary was just OK.  After just a few weeks, a retired military friend of his alerted him to a job opening at a Nuclear Facility in a LCOL area.  Lower Housing/Higher Salary beat out the Trucking Mfg job.  But let me tell you, the Security (vetting) was rough.  We were constantly contacted with questions like "what are the names/phone numbers of his closest friends".  I'm like "Dude, he's been in the military at a remote island for years plus he's an introverted Nerd!"

Any advice for your Sailor?  Make as many friends and contacts as you can.  They will be a lifesaver when you get out.  Danny Trejo (scary movie star) claims that everything good in his life came from doing good for others.  So remember that when you are tired and miserable and wanting to be home.  Everyone else feels the same way.  

Best wishes!

My boy is pretty happy now.  He bought a crazy 100 year old house.  A kitten adopted him.

Tx Mom, glad you updated us! Q's Momma, sounds like a busy life at the moment!!!

My kiddo is still in A school and is doing well. Things are beginning to get a bit tough for her, but she will make it. She claims she didn't need the mandatory study hours at first but is now glad they are there (go figure).  She's the last of four kids and the only one in the military (although my parents and grandparents and brother were in the military).  She finally has a roomate and is getting along with her. She didn't care for college much but is liking this set up much better. She texts every now and then and seems genuinely happy there. The scenery is WAY different from a rural town of 5000 in Oklahoma. 

I'm glad to see you got my message and are responding!  Love to hear how everyone is doing ;-D

Most of you know my story - son and DIL (both nukes) are out now and veterans.  They live in MI (where she is from).  They both got their undergrad degrees from MSU - after the Navy, and paid for by the Navy! (and she's working on her Master's, also paid for by the Navy!). They had their first baby, our sweet little Oliver (and our first grandbaby) in May of 2023 and he's just the best! Being Lolli and Pops is the best ever <3

Hubby and I bought a condo in their neighborhood (which we are renting out for now) and our plan is to retire near them, hopefully in the next year and a half to 2 years.  I just need to figure out how to make it all work lol!

I stick around here as an admin 'cuz I guess, why not?

I've been fortunate to meet many Navy moms since I joined in 2012 and I always look forward to meeting more.

My sailor has been deployed since January, and I rarely hear from him. A few weeks ago I missed an opportunity to talk to him on the phone :'( Occasionally I get a 1 or 2 line text. I hope he's doing OK. As a mom I can't help but worry about him, and can't wait until he's back in San Diego.

My sailor sent a message to us that he may get leave soon.  We haven’t seen him in 18 months!   Yeah!

Seahawks12 - Welcome Aboard!! Is your loved one in the Nuke Pipeline, at Boot Camp, or waiting to leave? 

Tx Mom of Far Away Nuke

Tx Mom of Far Away Nuke - How did you all weather through the storm? Were you close by or farther away? I am so glad that your son has found a job that he is enjoying. 

Q's Momma - I do hope you get to see your son before he is deployed. Especially now that he is back so close to home!! 

B'sNukeMom - Being grandparents is the best!! But it is no fun when you are far away! I am thankful that the technology is more advanced than when I lived a distance from my parents. I realize now how much my mom missed not being able to see my children growing up. 

PacNWmom - Oh I am sorry that you missed your phone call opportunity! 

So, my son is enjoying being out of Nuke life, although he recently joined the reserves. His wife is still enlisted, normally he is the stay-at-home dad and cook. He has been polishing up on his Gordon Ramsey skills with their meal prep food delivery boxes. Both of my sailors are also getting further education with some form of military assistance and our preemie baby is continuing to gain weight and has reached the 10-month-old mark!! 

AxolotlMom - I am glad to hear that your daughter is still pushing through and glad for her decision. Yes, SC is a lot different than rural OK. I believe it tends to also be a lot more humid. 

 My2kidsmom9498 - That is such wonderful news!! 

Welcome new moms!!!

My son is in TPU at Norfolk waiting to be sent to SD for the GW.  He said he would be there for a bit longer, but I think since its in port, he will be sent sooner than the dates he gave me.  He did not keep the car, I brought it back with me.  I am hoping to see him before he leaves for Japan. I was going to bring him the things he can have but was afraid to pack.  He wasn't sure how many bags he would be able to have.  Otherwise he is fine, a bit nervous for this next step. He just passed his 2 years in. The "see ya later" have been hard, but I think that one was harder.  The others (besides BC) I knew I would see him again at specific times. We have now hit the "I'll see ya when I see ya" stage.  I hit that stage called "We find that we need our children more than they need us" and I'm not liking it at all.  Even though he didn't want to spend time with me, I loved having him home. He played his video games and watched YT and anime.  We are still working on figuring out the phone/data thing.  Otherwise he is good and I'm hanging in there.  

Glad to see everyone is doing well :)

JNMnavymomOH - I was thinking about you earlier and wondered how things had all worked out. I am glad your son is at least settled somewhat in Norfolk for the time being. Yes, those "I'll see you when I see you are hard."

KayCee and MoMom - Just sending a shout out and hello to you both!!

Hi Chipmunk and hello to Everyone! This month will be 7 years since my son left for boot camp. After graduation from Nuke school, he was assigned to a fast attack sub that was underway - preparing for deployment. He was able to meet up with the boat when they arrived at a port. He never was good at communication, but all of a sudden I had none at all. With this command, he had three deployments that lasted the maximum amount of days allowed, but that doesn't even count the time out during under ways. My idea of him being home based in Bremerton, close to where I am, didn't even matter.  I think I spent more time with him during my three visits to SC.

In January, he started his shore duty and moved to Guam. I thought I would have contact from here on, but I was mistaken. He told me he was leaving again. He has been in and out of ports now since May. I still don't understand, but he said it's because this is a sea command, even though he is supposed to be on shore duty... The life of a Navy Mom....

Welcome Seahawks12! Maybe I will see you at a game this year? 

Hello everyone! It’s been six and a half years since boot camp for my sailor - can’t believe it. He graduated in 2019 and left for his duty station in Bangor, WA (Kitsap) on a Seawolf class sub in  early 2020. He was extended for six months on his sea duty and is now a First Class LPO… but will transition in August to shore duty at the same base. He got married to his sister’s best friend last December and they are expecting our first grandchild in February! It’s been quite a ride!

Morning - My son has been in 3 years now (2 at SC and the last in HI) He is currently on deployment. (since Dec). Nice hearing from you all!

Great to hear from you all. Hoping for visits, phone calls/texts and all the things!

My son starts ELT school in Goose Creek next week. He should get his orders sometime in September. He's hoping to either be picked up for JSI or sent to a Boomer class sub.

Thinking about all of you and your sailors as the journey continues.

Nice to see the updates!  Keep them coming...

It's hard not seeing them as often as we would like.  Silly me, I thought when B got out of the Navy he would come home to CA.  But love had other plans for him....He hasn't lived "at home" now since 2012 and probably won't ever come back to CA.  But that's ok....life moves on and we are just lucky that we can visit and eventually move to MI.

Chipmunk  - YES! The grandparent club is the best!  And thank goodness for FaceTime!  I usually talk to C multiple times a week - and she keeps me on speaker so Oliver hears my voice ALL the time lol!  And we FT usually a couple times a week to see him - so he recognizes us completely and loves blowing us kisses on the FT.

The Hammer - so excited for you to join the Grandparents Club.  It really is something special!

KayCee - maybe you'll get to visit Guam?!

JNMnavymomOH - you will definitely want to try to visit Japan.  And have you joined the Japan group on here?  There's a few "old timers" there that can pass on some helpful info.

My2kidsmom9498 - fingers crossed that he gets that leave soon!

PacNWmom - ugh, sorry you missed the call. Fingers crossed for him to get back to San Diego soon too!

Tx Mom of Far Away Nuke – good for your son to continue in the Nuke field.  And I agree – friends and contacts are important!  I’ll bet the 100 year old house is keeping him busy and a kitten – so sweet!

 Q’s Momma – wow – that’s fantastic that he’s so close!  We’re West Coast and B was always East Coast lol!  I hope you get that visit before deployment!

 AxolotlMom – Gosh I remember A school – seems sooooo long ago lol!  Glad she’s doing well – just remind her that no matter what happens, it isn’t the end of the world!

joe-mom - my DIL was an ELT too!

Pizanche - hello!  Thanks for checking in ;-D  Hopefully you're getting some communication from him while on deployment.

Hi All - it’s really been nice, interesting, informative and, for lack of a better word, anxiety provoking, to hear all your updates and to learn what your Nuke sailors have been up to. Congratulations to all of you as your kids have had successful lives - be it promotions, marriages, new babies, or careers outside the Navy. And prayers to those of you whose sailors are struggling.

My son is finishing up as a JSI soon and “plans” to go to Oahu next. I’m glad to know what to expect but my mama heart is hurting at the thought of the “maximum” length deployments on a fast attack sub and/or the thought of a missed phone call! I’ve known this time was coming but it’s starting to get real now! I’ve been very spoiled these last 4 years while he was in South Carolina… more trips to visit him, and trips home, than I can count. I wish he could just stay in South Carolina teaching Nukes!! But fortunately for him, he is excited about this next step.  I worry that like B’sNukeMom’s sailor, mine might never come “home” to California…. He really enjoyed South Carolina, and I know he likes Hawaii. He loves the beautiful green scenery.  While we have a close family/extended family, he hates California traffic and the politics. He tells me that every trip home! 

He has almost completely recovered from his TBI from head on collision in February. Has been on limited duty “non deployable” status and orders were cancelled. Myriad of symptoms (vertigo, headaches, distance and speed perception issues, concentration problems, slow speech, difficulty with finding words) would come and go and get worse when he was fatigued or over did it mentally. Symptoms have all slowly resolved. He had a great physical therapist that helped him train his brain to multitask again without getting over fatigued. I THINK he also had some PTSD with driving but he started driving again last month and recently started instructing and standing watch (he was just doing simple clerical duties). He super positive as getting back into - says it has been easy and he doesn’t not feel rusty at all (Must be nice to be so smart… didn’t get it from me!). Just has to build stamina to do his JSI job for the full shift now without getting headaches, etc. He is hoping to be off limited duty by the end of the month (a month early) and if so, will be back on tract to go to Oahu within a couple months. He’s had a great experience through this journey with Navy medical and his chiefs. Only a few minor issues (mama bear came out once and I called the ombudsman when his senior chief told him to walk to the front gate to get picked up for a ride home - it’s a couple miles and he was early in his recovery with full blown symptoms) but overall everyone has been understanding and supportive though it all. 

I’m not very good of keeping track and commenting on everyone’s posts, but I read them all and rejoice or pray as needed, and am so appreciative for the information and just that this group exists!  

Thanks everyone for the updates!! I will try to reply soon. I am looking forward to hearing from more of you. 

Chipmunk - We are very lucky to be in Central North Texas and far away from the storm hitting Houston.  In fact, since it has been a dry summer so far, we really hoped for a few rain bands from the storm to reach us.  I think only one did.  Prayers to all in Houston and surrounding areas.  Thanks for asking!

Tulip - BZ to your son on his Chief promotion and congratulations on his marriage ;-D

D'sMom2020 - So glad to hear the good news on your son.  What a worrisome time this has been for you all but so thankful that the worst of his accident seems to be behind him and he can move on now.  TBI is scary and yes, it takes time to fully heal.  I'm glad you have been able to advocate for him. Excited for his next adventure for sure!

My son is currently back serving in Washington after doing shore duty in Groton. He and his wife recently welcomed their first child, a beautiful baby boy. It is the first grandbaby for me :) I glad they are on the west coast for a bit.  He has been in 9 years now and is currently the dept head of nav. I am thankful he will be able to be home a lot as he is on off crew. ( he is on a GN sub)  

topdog1p - Welcome to the grandparents club!

My son began his Navy career after a skewed-priorities freshman outing at Texas Tech.  After becoming a Nuke, he served as an ELT on the USS Tennessee out of Kings Bay, and then on to Guam doing something related to radiological controls (not sure how to word that).  During that time, he married his high school girlfriend and now has three sons!  He also completed his college education through Excelsior with a degree in Nuclear Engineering.  He was credited 70+ hours through the Navy's nuclear training.  Last year, he was selected for the Enlisted to Medical Degree Prep Program (EMDP2), which is an amazing commissioning program that provides a free 2-year pre-med program through George Mason University.  He is now in the process of applying to medical schools (which will all be paid by the US Military + salary & housing allowance).  He told me that for anyone interested in becoming a doctor, the little-known EMDP2 program is perfect, especially for Nukes.  He has been in the Navy for just about 10 years (time flies!). 

I haven't commented in a while, but definitely enjoy reading all the posts.  

jurisprude - wow!  What a fantastic program/opportunity for him. I have not heard of this before!  Keep us posted on how things go for him.  He's done a lot in 10 years!

Good morning, everyone!  It has been so encouraging to hear everyone's updates!  (But like DsMom2020, it is a bit anxiety-promoting!)  My son has been in almost 3 years.  He is in Groton now and he's assigned to a PCU.  Sea trials will be forthcoming and then commissioning of the sub and then deployment.  I was super-spoiled when he was in Charleston because it was only 4 hours away.  We were able to visit often, and a few times, he'd text and ask if I'd come have dinner with him, and I'd hop in my car for a day trip.  Sadly, those days are over because Groton is not a daytrip!!!

My Sailor is doing well, and is super-communicative (calls 3-4 times per week).  I LOVE that, but it makes me dread deployment all the more.  But in the meantime, I'm treasuring all the times I do get to talk to him, and trying not to think about the silence that is coming whenever deployment happens.

Crazy couple of days!   Jurisprudence- That is an interesting and I have never heard of the medical path.  I know a couple of docs who were trained by the military but both started in ROTC.   I know a "kid" in the army who just finished law school.  She was tapped by her command after about 8 years of service and a very non related area.  Off to be a JAG now and all paid for in the same way.  My sailor is starting 4th year in sea duty out of KB.  Sadly on his last deployment he started getting sea sick so is not planning on reenlisting.  He has been told for Nukes is it sea, training command, or recruiting only.  He enjoys teaching and did a lot of tutoring but now realizes training command is more instruction then teaching if that makes sense.   His path was different before joining.  College, a little grad school and then Navy as enlisted.  They offered officer given the degree but in other areas.  He wanted to be a nuke- period. So far he is happy with the choice, except the sea sick thing.  He did a special soldering school recently and found it interesting.  Hope every one is well!