NUKE moms

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!

Hi all - Happy Monday!  B&C took Oliver to his first major league baseball game - Dodgers in Detroit.  They had a great time and Oli loved it.  Their Dodgers lost but oh well, lol!

Welcome to our newest member ~ lognavymom!

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.

Hello, lognavymom!  Welcome to the group!  We hope you'll introduce yourself and let us know a little about you!  <3

Hi All! Thanks for the welcome. My son is just finishing up at RTC, PIR is 8/15. He'll be headed to GC from there for nuke training. This is all somewhat new for me, we do have military in family but this is my first go with a child. I'm slightly nervous about his choice to go nuke, I kept telling him not to get googly eyes for the $$ and fancy words thrown around by recruiter. None the less, here we are. I'm hopeful he'll show me wrong. He says mom, anyone can do anything for 18mos if they want to... 

Thanks again for the add! Happy to be here. Anyone from KC area?

Hi Lognavymom, welcome to the group!  My son's PIR is August 29 and headed to GC Nuke Training too.  This is all new for us with our son.  Glad you joined the group!

Hi, Seahawks12 and lognavymom!  I love that your Sailors will graduate around the same time and be at GC around the same time.  My son went to GC in Nov 2021, and another mom in this group had a son who went to GC in Jan 2022.  Because of the Christmas holidays and then my son getting Covid, our sons ended up in the same class!  It was WAY cool having that shared experience with a mom here!  (I do hope that no one gets rolled back, but it is cool that they should be on similar schedules!  :-)

Welp, my nuke has made it from Norfolk to San Diego and has been sleeping on his ship for the last couple of days.  Said he was still in indoc and quals will start this coming week. And the spotty or lack of communication has begun.  Having them in GC really can spoil you :)  Hope everyone is having a good day.  

JNMnavymomOH - so happy to hear your Nuke is safely in San Diego!  And yes, being at GC "really can spoil you."  Hoping you will get to hear from him more often than you expect!

Welcome to our new members!!! 

I am on grandma duty, so I haven't been able to log in much. 

JNMnavymomOH - Thank you for the update on your son. I was wondering how things were going with him. I am glad to hear that he made it to his ship!!

lognavymom - the Nuke Pipeline is nothing to laugh at or take lightly. But my son also told me that attitude was a key factor in doing well. It sounds like your son has a good attitude, but remind him, the schooling is about 18 months, but the contract is for 6 years!!. I know the bonus money for Nukes was greatly increased a couple of years after my son joined (which did not make him very happy), but there are contingencies to that bonus money. So, I suggest that you encourage your son to look into all of the savings/ investment options available to him and not just spend it, in the event that he is not able to complete the Nuke program and would have to repay the bonus. (Sorry - I am just trying to point out the practical aspects of what our sailors have to plan for.) 

Be sure to encourage you son to look into all savings options that are open to him through Navy Federal Credit Union as well. 

Hi All - anyone know the length of shift for EMN on a fast attack sub? 8 hour shits? 12 hour shifts? Extra shifts/duties? 

I just need to vent for a moment.  My son just called and he is aboard his ship, but not yet checked in.  The day after he arrived on board, someone stole his shower shoes (brand new crocs) and tried to take his tennis shoes.  He has them locked up now, but he said that everyone else in his berthing has their shoes out so he thought they were safe.  Like really, shower shoes?? I made him aware about theft being an issue with his electronics, so he has them locked up already.  UGH! Can nobody have anything?  Like is he going to have to lock up the food or supplies I send every time?  Does everyone have access to the berthing? Sorry, but this makes me very sad about the state of the ship.  On a positive note, he was on his way to the lounge to hang with "friends".  That makes me feel a bit better.  Thanks for my moment.

My little sailor girl is currently in the pipeline. She’s doing well and doesn’t stress (I ask her how she’s handling things pretty frequently and she’s open with me). She said someone in a different barracks than her passed away by their own doing :( this saddens me so much. I’m glad my kid is doing well; but dammit I feel on those who aren’t. I talk with my girl about three times a week, sometimes more. I asked how she felt and she doesn’t feel one way or another. I have heard that this particular career path is very difficult mentally. I’m just so sad for this unknown person and their family. 

Axolotl - that is so sad and scary too… I think we’ve all heard the stories of suicide but this must be so hard for you to have it happen while your daughter is there! When my son went through the Nuke Pipeline, I had many conversations with him where I told him how proud I was that he’d been selected for the program but that there was nothing more important than his life. That I was proud of him EITHER way, whether he completed the pipeline or not. I just needed him to know it was okay if he didn’t pass. Luckily my son did well too but this is so sad. I can’t imagine there pain.

Hi all - Happy Monday!

AxolotlMom - I'm so sorry for the sailor that felt this was their only way out and I'm sorry for your daughter and everyone around that sailor who is experiencing this tragedy. I too had many conversations with B when he was in the pipeline and continuously would remind him that no matter what happened in his schooling it wasn't the end of the day.  There is always another option and we would get through it together. So much pressure is put on them in the pipeline....

AxolotlMom - I am saddened to hear this news which your daughter shared. My son would call me at times, because he would hear sirens when in his BEQ. He didn't always know the outcome, but we would always pray. Whether at GC, in the fleet, or on shore duty, it is likely your sailor will be expected to stand a suicide watch at some point in time. Or may end up rescuing someone who has tried to end their life. It is a burden that I wish my son and DIL or anyone else's sailor did not have to bear. But as a parent, it has been helpful to be aware of it, and the affects that it has had on my sailor kids. 

My son was one that rescued a sailor that tried to end his life. The sailor completely recovered, but I can’t imagine how it would have been if he hadn’t. 

MoMom - I was thinking of your son when I posted my comment.

JNM - That really stinks. I think we often put our military members on a pedestal and expect them to be "different" somehow, but there are a-holes everywhere, unfortunately. Hopefully most of his shipmates are good, respectful people. Very happy to hear he's making friends! And hope you're doing well!

AxolotlMom - I am so sorry to hear that about the loss of life at GC, but glad to hear that your daughter seems to be handling it well.

JNMnavymomOH - That is frustrating about your son's shower shoes.  I tend to think that if someone has signed up to serve their country, they would not steal from their shipmates.  I guess I view the world with rose-colored glasses.  But I'm glad  you told him to secure his electronics!

Hi!  I have some good news to share!  My Sailor son passed his "Fish" boards on Monday and will get pinned tomorrow.  He has worked really hard to get qualified as a submariner, and we are super-proud of him.  (Unfortunately, we can't be there for the pinning, but a friend is supposed to send us pictures!)

MomofJoseph - That is wonderful news!! Congratulations to your sailor. I wasn't able to be at my son's pinning when he ranked up, but they took pictures and posted them on the FB ombudsman group, and my future DIL was there to also take pictures and share. 

MomofJoseph - Congratulations to your sailor - what an achievement!

MomofJoseph - BZ to your son!

Congratulations MomofJoseph!!

I've been enjoying the Olympics - the men's gymnastics was sure exciting last night!

Yes, it was so fun to watch the men's gymnastics last night!!!  So inspiring!  <3

36 years married today and counting! 42 together <3

Congratulations ! Cheers to you both !!

B's - Happy anniversary!