NUKE moms

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!

I saw a discussion about  which graduation to go to powerschool or proto Type. I can't find it now. Can anyone help?

Lisa - just depends....power school (the 2nd graduation) is more pomp and circumstance but prototype is the FINAL graduation. If you can swing both (actually all 3) I would sure try.

We went to A school graduation, were scheduled to go to Power school grad and B had to recomp so he didn't get to "participate" in the actual ceremony so we ended up not going to Power school.  Then we went to Prototype (his prototype was in New York).  So we ended up doing 2 of the 3.  

B'sNukeMom - Belated congratulations on your anniversary!

I have been watching the Olympics with my son during the day and later with my husband when he is home from work, so needless to say I am not accomplishing a lot here on N4M!

Lisa - I would go to all three graduations if possible. As far as the ceremony, the Prototype graduation was a little more personal than the Power School graduation. The graduation takes place on the USS Yorktown for Prototype, so you may also visit the museum for free after graduation. 

Power School graduation for us was inside and split into 2 groups, but in general, that graduation is for the entire Power School and is held outside. I don't know if it is outside, how much they let people take pictures of their sailors as they received their certificates. But we were able to when inside, I think. But at Prototype, they actually stopped and let our sailors sort of "pose" for pictures. 

After Power School, we helped my son buy some things for his apartment, and such. After Prototype, my son was not traveling back home with us for his leave time. Instead, he drove his car from GC to Norfolk, VA and left his car with friends of ours. And then he flew home to us, and back then to Norfolk, when his leave ended and started his fleet service. If your sailor will be traveling home with you after Prototype (and this may or may not be finalized by graduation), it might be preferable for you to travel to the Prototype graduation. 

Update from NPTU Charleston

🚨Tropical Storm Debby update🚨

River Street Gate on the Airforce Base is closed due to flooding. Remount Road Gate on NWS is moderately flooded. All personnel are advised to avoid these gates.

NPTU will remain at essential personnel only today (8/6) and tomorrow (8/7).

Update from NPTU Charleston

Attention all NPTU Staff and Students

Student training will resume on day shift Friday, August 9th. Staff will return to site as needed to support day shift training. Contact your MTS or departmental leadership for details. Students will receive guidance on reporting times and training event scheduling from their respective DSAs.

Naval Health Clinic sick call will resume at normal time on Friday, August 9th.

Our cafeteria and Blimpies staffing is uncertain. Plan to bring your own food for your time on site.

AmeliaJW3665 - That is so wonderful!!! I am glad you were able to see your sailor!!

Amelia - yay!  I'm so glad you got to see your sailor ;-D

Lisa - I'm sorry for the slow reply - I've been traveling.  I saw your post about graduations and I wanted to share our experience.  We went to all three graduations and loved them all! 

The graduation from A School was super small.  I think typically it is supposed to be two classes, but in our son's case, it was only one class so there were only about 25 Sailors graduating.  It was personal and intimate BUT they didn't invite us to come up front to take photos. 

Power School graduation was outside, and it was HUGE!  About 300 Sailors graduated and it had a more formal feel to it.  They invited families to come stand right in front of the stage to take pictures, but people were slow to go forward initially.  My son's group was the first to graduate, and thankfully, we're near the end of the alphabet, so my husband was able to get up there in time.

Prototype was at Patriots Point on the USS Yorktowne and the graduates were divided into 3 groups for 3 separate graduations.  Families were invited to come to the front to take pictures as their Sailors walked across the stage.  As they announced each graduate, they also announced which ship/boat they are headed to.  It was really special!

As someone else said, if you can go to all three, I would encourage you to do so!!!  Each one is different and special!