Ballston Spa versus Goose Creek

[TxNukeMom]

This is a little ways off (my son grads power school April 22), but what determines whether an MM will be sent to New York or stay in Charleston, if anything...and also, how long have ya'll experienced 'grad hold' after power school? My son is single...heard that may be a determining factor...

[Lion55's mom]

TX, is your son graduating power school on 2/25?  My understanding from my MM who was home over Christmas is that Goose Creek is the only operating prototype at present and that his grad hold will most likely be 6 months too.  He didn't mention the college thing either but like you said, they will be fine.  It is nice to know that they do settle in to the Navy.  Think where we all were a year ago!

[Marybeth]

There are online courses and also in-class courses offered by Columbia College - the classes are held on base (Goose Creek, not sure about Ballston Spa), and I'm fairly certain they have Navy instructors.

 

Holds, like everything else, can change at any time.  My Nuke (currently on his first sub deployment) graduated Power School last  January.  He was told he'd be on hold till April for Prototype, then told he'd start in February, and then dropped back to April again.  For what it's worth, he's an EM.

 

And TxNuke, you don't have to "nag" him about taking classes... just say "hey, I heard that...."  8-)  Isn't the alternative to taking classes more T-Track and Watches anyway?  (I'm asking, I'm not sure).  If that's the case, then that could be as good of an incentive as any to sign up!  I think the classes are also accelerated; James' classes started in February and he was done by late March.   The longer the hold, the more classes they can get under their belts.  Added bonus... guess who pays for them???   Not your Sailor! 

[Dotsy -Chris' Mom Nuke EM]

Chris just graduated Power School class 1005 on Dec. 17th - he is EM and is staying in Goose Creek, but is on grad hold until March.  It seemed that about 1/2 of the EM's from this class are starting prototype now and the others in March.  Most all of them stayed in GC -- only a few went to NY.  So -- who knows.....

[Diana AZ NavyMom]

I really enjoyed reading the discussion.  It will be interesting to see how things change.  My MM is in A school now, so Prototype is a ways away.

[Emily-aaronsgirl11]

Don't you worry, Diana. Prototype will be here before you know it! I thought the same thing back in March, but it seriously goes sooooo fast!

[Mary(MMnukesmom)]

My son mentioned he could play the I have family close and that also helps out when he volunteers. I told him do ya really wanna go during horse racing season (rents will be higher)  Plus he has mentioned doing on-line classed through Thomas Eddison. to get the degree they work with the Navy.. I thinks its funny that a program that was made by MIT prof. doesn't accept full credit.(at least thats what I heard)

[TxNukeMom]

Thanks ladies! Everytime Jordon gets down because of grades or just missing home, he'll say, "I wish I had studied in college..." so NOW, he'll have a chance to go back to college! And yes, Lions55, I remember a year ago! We thought it'd be our last Christmas with him, not knowing that much about the nuke school at the time. Little did I know he'd of been home twice since then, and we've visited him twice since then! Dreading when they actually go out on deployment...Because this hasn't been too bad!

Jordon should, if everything goes well, will grad power school April 22.

[Sighthndlady]

My MM son graduated PS 12/17.  According to him, because the NY reactors are down, the MMs are really backed up.  Some of the prototype training for an EM or ET can be accomplished with the reactors down, but not for the MMs ("imagine turning a simulated valve. . .")

[Zazzws]

From my MM sailor who graduates from power school 2/25:

"Currently the higher-ups are telling us a minimum of 6 months on grad-hold. Barring anything new breaking, it looks like if I take college courses they'd physically be down here in Charleston. So I'd be living in the BEQ's from grad until shortly before prototype."

[NicksMom-Nuke-MM- ELT Training]

I guess were all hearing about the same thing with the MM's who have finished power school and are just getting ready to finish power school.  About a 4-6 month hold most likely on hold in Goose Creek.  My son just graduted power on 12/17 is an MM and is now on hold waiting for prototype.  He did opt to take college  courses which began  1/3 for 7 weeks- 2 humanities and an english.  If the hold last longer than 2 months he plans to take an additional 2 right after these.   I was suprised as I mentioned back in September if he got put on hold he should look into taking courses and he said no way I need a berak from studying.  Then I left it alone and he made that decision that he might as well get paid and have the Navy pay for the courses at the same time.  The less said the better. 

Wonderful to have him home the 2 weeks at the holidays and also have him home for his 21st birthday.  So glad to see how happy he is with his life right now and happy with his decision to leave college and enlist in the Navy. 

 

Hard to believe 1 year ago this weekend I was waiting for the call that he arrived at Boot Camp and now he has finished boot camp, A school and Power school ( with distinction)  and now on his own signed up and is taking college courses. 

Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season

[Jaysmom (Ship 12 Div 039)]

Thank you!  Your message was so encouraging.  My son is an MM coming out of BC next week.  It all seems so overwhelming now!  In a quick year, what wonderful changes!!  I hope my son has the same experience.  I worry it will be too much, because I keep hearing how hard it is especially NPS!!

[rlyons]

TxNukeMom,

Looks like you got your answer "Only the Navy knows for sure"  Our nuke graduated Power School on Dec 17 and begins Prototype tomorrow in GC. He had asked to go to BS. He is an EM.  I know of an MM in his class that is on grad hold for 8 months!  "Inefficient" does not seem to do it justice!