LauraR the message I quoted was effective for new enlistees entering DEP on or after November 1, 2010, but those who entered DEP earlier than that were unaffected. Also, the bonus has dropped from $15k to $12k for fiscal year 2011. So it sounds like they may be tightening the belt. But, your daughter is proof that it is possible to switch to nuke. Thanks.
William - Definitely sounds like a fiscal year thing then, figured as much as they were rushing to get everything done before the end of last fiscal year.
Good luck, and let us know how you make out. If Naval Reactors has told your son they are in the process of writing him a nuke contract, you can take that to the bank, they are.
My son, Caleb, turned 18 today. He enlisted on March 23, 2011, he will graduate high school on June 5. He leaves for boot camp on November 15, 2011. He is enlisted as an Operations Specialist.
Hi SHmommy my son left for boot camp on the 3/21, he was a DEP for nine months. He also is going to be an OS. If you haven't already join the OS group not as much activity as this group but they have been very helpful regarding the job itself. You have found a great site, the women(and a few men) on this site are wonderful and are so understanding because they were all in your shoes at one time.
Meg that was the hardest part for my son. He ended up getting two part time jobs to keep busy. We had a young woman on here that left for boot camp the beginning of March what an inspiration she was for all of us. She learned everything she possibly could regarding the Navy and got into the physical shape she could. She should PIR I thnk the end of April, maybe we could put you in touch with her when she gets to A school and she can give you some ideas. Look and see if there is a sub group for Deps leaving in December you may run into one or two more. Good Luck
Meg - My daughter struggled with that too. She is working on her physical conditioning and college classes. She managed to finish her AA's last month and now took a full time job to distract her. I would strongly encourage some college classes as you could be offered STA21 between A school and Power school, especially if you have some decent grades to back it up.
Meg say hello in the December group anyway. My son signed his contract June 3, 2010 and was not leaving until March 21,2011. When I saw the Leaving in March group I just said that my son had signed and in less than a week there were 3 other woman in the group. Remember chances are if you just signed and got a ship date of December there are more out there. We still chat and it is great support. By the way we send letters to our girl who was a member and is now it boot camp, we want to make sure she is getting plenty of mail! Be the one to start others will follow!
My son is taking college classes while waiting to get in the Navy. Since he's not going for an AA or AS degree right now, he's just taking courses that look interesting. This semester that includes almost entirely science classes - oceanography, biology, math, plus a couple of exercise classes to help him get in shape.
Hello all! I entered into DEP almost a week ago now and am so excited to be joining America's Navy! My current ship date is December 20th and will be in the AECF program. My recruiter said that he could file something called a DAR which would essentially move my ship date up if I wanted to. The way he put it, "Someone will always break their leg, get arrested, or end up pregnant... Slots are always becoming available." Has anyone had experience with this form? Any opinions? December seems so far away, but from what I understand if I file this form I can be asked to leave with little to no notice. Like within a week...
Hi Tori! Congrats on enlisting! :) I wouldn't expect to leave early on the DAR. I've been in DEP since October of last year and I leave for bootcamp in about 2 weeks. I also signed on for the DAR. My recruiter told me about 2 or 3 weeks ago that the Navy is no longer accepting DAR forms for the rest of this fiscal year. For me, the DAR was false hope. Ahaha. Yes, spots are always becoming availible, but there are thousands of people waiting for the same opportunity. But hey! Time will fly by and the next thing you know it's time for RTC. :)
I read this a few months ago on N4M and finally did it. Build A Sign offers free signs to military families. You pay only shipping (which incidentally is a bit high but still way cheaper than buying the sign) Go to buildasign.com/troops. You can order a 2x4 or 3x6 one-sided sign. It's totally customizable. Shipping was $13.89. I also had it hemmed and grommeted for $9.49 because it will be hung outside.
I had originally gone to the site and didn't do /troops and the same sign (without grommets or hemmed) was over $45.00. I read a few comments on other military sites and everyone has said the banners are very high quality.
Please keep in mind the cheapest shipping claims to take 8 weeks so don't wait unless you want to pay higher shipping. My son doesn't leave for bc for over 2 months so I'm ok.
I just ordered today...I'll let everyone know how it looks when I get it.
I have read that there is a N4M meet and greet at one of the hotels when you go back for PIR. Who hosts these? Did you go when you went? How was it and was it worth the time to go?
navymommo, I just downloaded the Navy logo to my computer and added it to my sign. You can put their photo or anything you want on it. I used a template that they offered with the American flag and went from there. It literally took 10 minutes to do.
@leah-My son's PIR was last August, the weather was perfect. We stayed at the LaQuinta in Waukegan. It was only 15 min. away & right beside Great America & very close to the mall. My daughter is now a DEPper & her PIR will be sometime in December.
@jessica-time is going by so fast though! I think the planning is keeping my mind not thinking about his leaving. And yes I have joined the month group.
Hi ladies, Haven't been on in a few weeks. House recently went on the market and have been so busy. My stomach is in knots this morning! My son found out last night at his dep meeting that he will be leaving for BC on 4/13 not 4/14!! It's going so fast. Seems like the 2 months he's been in DEP has just flown by. I know a lot of you ladies have sons/daughers in DEP for months. My oldest was in for 9 months. For this son, bless his heart, it's happened so fast!!! He's barely turned 18 and didn't expect it to happen so quickly. Recruiter had a CTR job opening and boom he's leaving! So sudden. Plus, he told me that no one else is leaving with him. 2 other kids will leave on Tues. He leaves on Thurs. I want to climb into his duffle bag and be with him!!!!!!! Hopefully there will be kids from other offices that will also leave on that day. I know he'll be okay, but man am I nervous for him! A lot of family and friends tell me that it will be easier because my other son has already gone through it. No it doesn't make it easier. Especially, when it's my baby!!! He's my last one to leave the nest. Okay, so now I'm just rambling and am making myself start to cry. Gotta go and get a tissue!!!!!
Your son is not leaving earlier than expected. 4/13 is just the day his recruiter will bring him to MEPS area and he'll stay at a hotel over night before reporting to MEPS the following morning. On 4/14 he will get a resertification on his physical, go over his contract, deal with the Navy liasions, then finally swear in. After swearing in (not immediately) he will be departing for Navy bootcamp. You can go to watch him swear in and he'll have plenty of timeto talk to you on the way there. I have a friend that leaves on 4/14, he's super excited! And I'm going in 4 days after. =)
Hi Everyone, I haven't commented in a while because I really didn't have anything to share but I follow the discussions daily which is very informative. But today I have something to share.
Today my daughter received her score from the ASVAB exam she took last week. She scored a 73! She also needed a combined score of 109 to be eligible for MC (Mass Communications) and she scored 110! The recruiter is hoping to get her to MEPS sometime this week. We are going to see him later today to discuss that and what other jobs she's eligible for. We are NAVY bound!! HOOYAH!
Thank you seadreamstudio and LauraR. My daughter and I are very excited. It's funny sometimes I feel like I am the one enlisting. I'm going through all the anxiety and excitement with her. I lost sleep from waiting for her ASVAB score. The anticipation was killing me! When she took the exam the scoring system wasn't working so we had to wait 3 business days. She took the exam last Wed and we didn't get the score till today!! Anyway it all turned out well :o)
Yay for your daughter! My son goes to MEPS next week and is hoping that the MC rate will be open. He will take his ASVAB there. I met with the recruiter and they were pretty dead set about him not taking it until he got there. I really wanted him to take it beforehand so we would know his score and what he qualified for. They just told him to come with a list of about 10 jobs he could live with doing and more than likely one will be open. We'll see. Let us know how MEPS goes and what job your daughter gets. Good luck to her!
Hello all, I am fairly new to N4M and just came across this group today. My son leaves for BC in November. I am still trying to process his decision to do this. I am finding a lot of advise and help here at N4m!
He will go to Monterey to study Arabic or Mandarin Ladybug-but he is so eager to get going on that his Nov BC date feels like a very loooong ways away. Let me know if your son gets called up earlier :)!
My son got into the Nuke program and also leaves in November. It was the longest few months after his first visit to MEPS before he finally enlisted. They requested medical records and needed more signatures each time. His father and I are divorced going on 10 years and we had to track him down for permission. I didn't even know Sam took the ASVAB at school until he turned 17 and anounced his desire for the Navy. He got a 92 when he was 15 1/2 so he didn't have to take it again. It was shocking and every moment made me more anxious. Now November seems so far away, ikm praying he gets called up early.
Yup, the docs did their best to make my son's entry difficult too! 92 at 15 is amazing- my son got 98 but he was a college grad...I hope both our boys get called earlier!
Thanks Leslie! That would be amazing if they do. What date does your son have now? Mine is 11/15... That's a long time after HS graduation to keep him out of trouble.
ABB, my son was also just accepted into the nuke program and is scheduled for November. He's finished 1 yr of college. I also had no idea he was applying. What a surprise!
Ya, November seems so far away but it will come so quickly! I actually don't want my son to leave until his 11-29 date, I want him home for his last thanksgiving! I'm not sure what his ASVAB score was but I know when he took it last year he wasn't planning on joining the military so he didn't give it his all. This year he hasn't been in a math class so he was concenred about retaking it and getting a lower score so he is sticking with his original one. Best of luck to you all and your kids!!
I was hoping for earlier since he will be spending Thanksgiving/Christmas and his 18th birthday at BC if he leaves on schedule. I want him as long as possible but would love to have him home for the holidays. I don't know how the holiday thing works in A school.
Rachel i don't know how it works either. My guess is they don't get to come home for teh holidays if they are in bootcamp during that time. I guess if it would mean my son could be home for the holidays then I would be all for an earlier leave date!! Do you know how long boot camp is? I have hear 8 weeks and 9 weeks.
Mid-November is a pretty bad time for BC- they will spend T-sgiving and Christmas away :( Rachael, you'll have to have a 3-holiday-in-one celebration for your boy!
Taught my SR how to iron yesterday...tomorrow sewing. He asked me "mom, how did you learn to do all this stuff?": )
June 15th isn't so far away any more. Bittersweet is the feeling. His graduation/farewell announcements came in today as well. Too much emotion to contain.
Momof3, I heard there was an 80% failure rate for the Nuke program. I know my son is smart, just needs motivation. He heard about the ability to go NROTC if he's at the top of the class, and that Navy Football chooses from the officers. I think "football is what hooked him. He's excited!
does anyone know about our deper's benfits such as long term benefits eg: medical retirement etc...was this something we were to have stated on this contract. I would assume not but you know what that menas when we assume. so many people have advice and opinions gets scary....
Thank you so much for the information! It is so very helpful....especially with all the time slipping away and so much to do!! And so many emotions to keep in check! :)
Momof3 my son said some of them failed the physical fitness test, some could not pass the medical screening, some got kicked out of the nuke program for background checks issues, others did not pass the interview held with Master Chief at boot camp for whatever reason. I don't have any other deatils.
Momof3, My husband was a Nuke MM submariner, and says the drop-out rate is partly for the same reasons as anyone else (injuries, non-adjustment to military life, etc) but mostly because of the intensity of the program. It's essentially a 4-year nuclear engineering degree in 6 months.
An 80 percent drop rate is a major improvement over when my husband joined. It was a 95 percent drop rate back in the 80s. The Navy is getting better at screening potential Nukes.
Many recruits who enter the program aren't expecting the speed and pressure of the program. Those who got As in high school honors or college math courses through sheer hard work and lots and lots of studying find the pace of Nuke school shocking and unmanageable. If they are the type that needs to do 2-3 hours of homework/studying to solidify an hour of class instruction and got through advanced courses through sheer work and willpower, they aren't going to do well. Why? There aren't enough hours in a day for that kind of studying.
Sailors who sailed through high school getting As on exams without doing any work also do poorly, because the physics and math is much more challenging than anything ever seen in an AP math class. They often don't have the work ethic or study skills to meet their first real challenge.
Those 20 percent of Nuke student sailors who pass through the program are the type who, in high school. learned it the first time and didn't need to do any studying to get As, but did the homework anyway. They have both qualities: hard work and natural talent.
And if the academic requirements don't get em, the stress of it does. Many quit, not willing to put up with it any longer. The automatic promotion and signing bonus aren't worth it to some people.
Nukes are to physics and math as the SEALs are to athletes and soldiers, and both have similar drop rates.
William in Nashua
LauraR the message I quoted was effective for new enlistees entering DEP on or after November 1, 2010, but those who entered DEP earlier than that were unaffected. Also, the bonus has dropped from $15k to $12k for fiscal year 2011. So it sounds like they may be tightening the belt. But, your daughter is proof that it is possible to switch to nuke. Thanks.
Mar 31, 2011
Lizzie's Mom Ship 03/Div 367
Mar 31, 2011
navyboundkid (Class 1210MT)
Mar 31, 2011
William in Nashua
Mar 31, 2011
Shmommy
Hello all,
My son, Caleb, turned 18 today. He enlisted on March 23, 2011, he will graduate high school on June 5. He leaves for boot camp on November 15, 2011. He is enlisted as an Operations Specialist.
Apr 2, 2011
jdmom
Apr 2, 2011
Shmommy
Apr 2, 2011
jdmom
Apr 3, 2011
Lizzie's Mom Ship 03/Div 367
Apr 3, 2011
jdmom
Apr 3, 2011
Arwen
Apr 3, 2011
toriimarie
Apr 5, 2011
teazure
Apr 5, 2011
monkeymind
I read this a few months ago on N4M and finally did it. Build A Sign offers free signs to military families. You pay only shipping (which incidentally is a bit high but still way cheaper than buying the sign) Go to buildasign.com/troops. You can order a 2x4 or 3x6 one-sided sign. It's totally customizable. Shipping was $13.89. I also had it hemmed and grommeted for $9.49 because it will be hung outside.
I had originally gone to the site and didn't do /troops and the same sign (without grommets or hemmed) was over $45.00. I read a few comments on other military sites and everyone has said the banners are very high quality.
Please keep in mind the cheapest shipping claims to take 8 weeks so don't wait unless you want to pay higher shipping. My son doesn't leave for bc for over 2 months so I'm ok.
I just ordered today...I'll let everyone know how it looks when I get it.
Apr 5, 2011
navymommo
Apr 6, 2011
LeahScottsdale
Apr 6, 2011
LeahScottsdale
Apr 6, 2011
monkeymind
Apr 6, 2011
My2Sailors
Apr 6, 2011
LeahScottsdale
@jessica-time is going by so fast though! I think the planning is keeping my mind not thinking about his leaving. And yes I have joined the month group.
@My2S-congrats on your son and daughter!
Apr 7, 2011
Pamela
Apr 8, 2011
Kimandtheboys
Apr 9, 2011
teazure
Your son is not leaving earlier than expected. 4/13 is just the day his recruiter will bring him to MEPS area and he'll stay at a hotel over night before reporting to MEPS the following morning. On 4/14 he will get a resertification on his physical, go over his contract, deal with the Navy liasions, then finally swear in. After swearing in (not immediately) he will be departing for Navy bootcamp. You can go to watch him swear in and he'll have plenty of timeto talk to you on the way there. I have a friend that leaves on 4/14, he's super excited! And I'm going in 4 days after. =)
Apr 9, 2011
Celeste(HA Mom)
Apr 9, 2011
WandaG
Hi Everyone, I haven't commented in a while because I really didn't have anything to share but I follow the discussions daily which is very informative. But today I have something to share.
Today my daughter received her score from the ASVAB exam she took last week. She scored a 73! She also needed a combined score of 109 to be eligible for MC (Mass Communications) and she scored 110! The recruiter is hoping to get her to MEPS sometime this week. We are going to see him later today to discuss that and what other jobs she's eligible for. We are NAVY bound!! HOOYAH!
Apr 11, 2011
SonandSea
Great news, WandaG! Congrats!
Apr 11, 2011
Lizzie's Mom Ship 03/Div 367
Apr 11, 2011
WandaG
Apr 11, 2011
katydids61
Apr 11, 2011
Alicia(12/053 - AO)♥
Apr 11, 2011
Leslie1200
Apr 11, 2011
Alicia(12/053 - AO)♥
Apr 11, 2011
Leslie1200
Apr 12, 2011
Navy Mom x3
Apr 12, 2011
Leslie1200
Apr 12, 2011
Navy Mom x3
Apr 12, 2011
Momof3
Apr 12, 2011
Leslie1200
Apr 12, 2011
Alicia(12/053 - AO)♥
Apr 12, 2011
Navy Mom x3
Apr 12, 2011
William in Nashua
Apr 12, 2011
Alicia(12/053 - AO)♥
Rachel i don't know how it works either. My guess is they don't get to come home for teh holidays if they are in bootcamp during that time. I guess if it would mean my son could be home for the holidays then I would be all for an earlier leave date!! Do you know how long boot camp is? I have hear 8 weeks and 9 weeks.
Apr 12, 2011
Leslie1200
Apr 12, 2011
monkeymind
Taught my SR how to iron yesterday...tomorrow sewing. He asked me "mom, how did you learn to do all this stuff?": )
June 15th isn't so far away any more. Bittersweet is the feeling. His graduation/farewell announcements came in today as well. Too much emotion to contain.
Apr 12, 2011
Momof3
Apr 12, 2011
Navy Mom x3
Apr 12, 2011
1stlove (02/946)
does anyone know about our deper's benfits such as long term benefits eg: medical retirement etc...was this something we were to have stated on this contract. I would assume not but you know what that menas when we assume. so many people have advice and opinions gets scary....
Apr 12, 2011
proudmama (Ship 10 Div 257)
Apr 12, 2011
William in Nashua
Momof3 my son said some of them failed the physical fitness test, some could not pass the medical screening, some got kicked out of the nuke program for background checks issues, others did not pass the interview held with Master Chief at boot camp for whatever reason. I don't have any other deatils.
Apr 12, 2011
Arwen
Momof3, My husband was a Nuke MM submariner, and says the drop-out rate is partly for the same reasons as anyone else (injuries, non-adjustment to military life, etc) but mostly because of the intensity of the program. It's essentially a 4-year nuclear engineering degree in 6 months.
An 80 percent drop rate is a major improvement over when my husband joined. It was a 95 percent drop rate back in the 80s. The Navy is getting better at screening potential Nukes.
Many recruits who enter the program aren't expecting the speed and pressure of the program. Those who got As in high school honors or college math courses through sheer hard work and lots and lots of studying find the pace of Nuke school shocking and unmanageable. If they are the type that needs to do 2-3 hours of homework/studying to solidify an hour of class instruction and got through advanced courses through sheer work and willpower, they aren't going to do well. Why? There aren't enough hours in a day for that kind of studying.
Sailors who sailed through high school getting As on exams without doing any work also do poorly, because the physics and math is much more challenging than anything ever seen in an AP math class. They often don't have the work ethic or study skills to meet their first real challenge.
Those 20 percent of Nuke student sailors who pass through the program are the type who, in high school. learned it the first time and didn't need to do any studying to get As, but did the homework anyway. They have both qualities: hard work and natural talent.
And if the academic requirements don't get em, the stress of it does. Many quit, not willing to put up with it any longer. The automatic promotion and signing bonus aren't worth it to some people.
Nukes are to physics and math as the SEALs are to athletes and soldiers, and both have similar drop rates.
Apr 12, 2011