Nuclear School

[meryl (ship 09 division 208)]

Hi. I recently joined Navy for Moms.  My son is finishing high school this year and is in the deferred entry program. He took the ASFAB, scored well and was encouraged to sign up for the nuclear program, which he did.  He is getting cold feet and is fearful that he "can't cut" the nuclear program. Any suggestions on how we can encourage him? His dad and I think the Navy would be ideal for him.

[fonda sue Momof2Sailor's]

Auroua---My son is a 2009 HS graduate. He was also delayed, He is at Boot Camp right now, he scored very well on the ASFAB and is in the Nuke program. So he's not there yet. I think he was okay until about a week before he left for boot camp. But he's been gone since Dec. 15th, missed all the holiday's ( that was hard for everyone, I think him the most.) Just be positive and encouraging. Navy for Moms web site it awesome. I'm in several groups and your son can get on and look around and join some groups so you can ask lots of questions.

[meryl (ship 09 division 208)]

Thanks for the good advice. I didn't think about suggesting he look at this site but I will try. I hope he'll be receptive. Good luck to your son. Hope all goes well for him and for you and your family.

[Gayle- Em's Mom Ship 03 Div 141]

HE CAN DO IT! I don't think the NAVY would offer it to him, especially if he scored well on the ASVAB, if they didn't feel he could do it. It's probably more a fear of the unknown than the actual fear of not being able to cut it. My daughter was offered NUKE -got a 93 on ASVAB - and she's more confident in her ability to get through than I was! haha. She's been waiting a year - enlisted in Feb. last year while still in HS, and is now rearing to get going. They will do everything possible to get him through it...the NAVY wants him to succeed too. The only failure is NOT trying. Head up, GO FOR IT.

[meryl (ship 09 division 208)]

Thanks, Gayle, for your encouraging words. We will definitely continue to push the positive. You are right that the only failure is in not trying. Best of luck to your daughter and to you!

[Michdang]

Aurora. 2 different things here. 1st - does he like the thought of being military? if yes, tell him to just go for it. If he doesnt make it in nuclear, they will put him to his 2nd choice - its all still good cuz it is military. 2nd, if he doesnt like the thought of the military lifestyle - dont do it. That is what I would try to find out from him. Then, that is the direction I would encourage him to go. Good Luck.

[meryl (ship 09 division 208)]

Thanks for your reply. I think he likes the thought of military...think that is. I'll talk with him more about it. It could be one of the reasons he's trying to get out. I've had this feeling that there are other reasons besides his concerns about succeeding in NUKE Program. I also think he's afraid of failure but as another mom says..."failure is not trying". Sometimes I think we should stop working on him because he's getting more defensive when we do so. It was his decision to join the Navy and he had to convince us to agree. Now we're very convinced and he isn't! Thanks so much for your comments.

[LLovesmysailor]

Aurora. 1. Is your son an underachiever in high school. Smart and kind of bored with high school courses. You know, gets solid Cs or Bs but you know he can do a lot better. 2.Does he love video games. 3. He doesn't want to head off to college because he doesn't really know what he wants to study or he just doesn't see the point of more classes after high school. 4. Is he a social animal. He gets away with a lot because he's smart and charming. If most of these things are true, then he's a Nuke in waiting. I've been in the Nuke Mom's group for nearly a year and those are the things I hear over and over again. They are also my son! He is now an E-5 (Petty Officer 2nd) and an ET on the USS Miami. The Navy doesn't offer the Nuke program to just anyone. They are the very best and brightest of the Navy. The only way he won't be able "to cut it", is if he talks himself out of succeeding.

[tanya]

I concur! This describes my son perfectly. He is graduating A school in March and is thriving in the military.

[LeAnne]

More than once through out the school my son was unsure he could do it, and now he is almost finished. But also his best friend he made at boot camp they ended up living together didnt make it, it turned out ok for him. There is a fit for everyone, so all he can do is his best

[pmgcakes]

Hi Aurora, My Son Graduated High School in June 2009, Started College in September and decided in November College was not for him, The Military was always on the table in our house, (since 9th grade, My Son has always expressed an interest), So On November 18th, We find ourselves in the recruiter office, that is where the ride began.. My Son scored very well on his asvab,( but not high enough for Alpha), On December 17th he went to Fort Hamilton, retook his asvab, missed Alpha by 1 (line Score) Point, had to take the Nuke Entrance test, passed that test, passed all his medical, and have been playing the hurry up and wait game ever since.. Well we found out yesterday that he has been accepted into the NNPTC. I cant begin to tell you how Proud I am of Him, This from a Child who never pushed himself, was happy in school getting c and b's, never needed to study, High school just never challenged him. I can tell you I have never seen my son so focused, determined and dedicated before. Your Son needs to want this! He has to be willing to work hard for the next 6+ years , The Navy will teach him everything he needs to know, But Its not going to be easy on our boys. I've read that the program is like trying to get a drink of water from a fire hose, so much information is crammed into such a short period of time. Your here asking these questions, so that tells me your Son has a lot to offer, Nothing worth while in our lives come easy, he will have to work hard and stay focused. Go for the Ride and let the Journey Begin...

[Michdang]

Drink of water from a fire hose! Love that. Hadnt heard that one yet. I agree with what you all have said here. One last thing Aurora - If your son does make it into the Nuke program, the Navy will do all they can to get him to pass - there will be plenty of help. Prototype will be his most challenging, because it is not guided instructions.

My son got all A's and hundreds on his test and quizzes in H.S. BUT, he didnt do a lick of homework - bringing him down to a solid C student - talk about frustrating. He didnt see the need for it, where he always got excellent test scores. That being said, about 3 months into the Nuke program on one of his rare nights he had 5 minutes to call me right before bed. We had a conversation and he told me that he finally knows how to study = that they actually taught him that. That was a bit of a surprise to hear, seeing he had always done so well on H.S. tests. But, it was also comforting because I felt like the Navy had gotten him to do what I couldnt.

Anyway, hope your son goes for it.

[Beverly]

Aurora - My son also graduated HS 2009, had signed up for Navy just before graduation after being in NJROTC during HS. He qualitied for Nuke program. His grades in school were mediocre, even had to re-take an English class his Junior year because he turned in a research paper a day late (procrastination). He fit the profiles given here, very capable, not motivated to do what he felt was not necessary or interesting. So I looked into the NUKE program a bit because I was concerned about the motivation issue.

I was told over and over that the only way a Nuke School sailor fails is if he doesn't apply himself. They give them everything they need, including remediation and support if they are struggling. Most who apply themselves do pass. They all have been screened and shown to be capable of passing.

I have noticed a difference in my son in boot camp. Boot camp helps with the maturity process. The Navy is getting him ready to use what God gave him.

They can do it. The Navy will help them do it. Tell him he can do it!!!