MMs on grad hold in Goose Creek awaiting Prototype

[Penny_Nuke_MM2_NimitzNuke]

Hi everyone, I've looked through all of the discussions and I just can't find one that is particular to MMs on grad hold in Goose Creek after they graduated from Power School and awaiting Prototype.  If you have a sailor that falls into this category, I hope you will join me here so we can learn from each other how things work, how soon it takes before they start shipping some up to Balston Spa or down the street in Goose Creek and also if their GPA really makes a difference as to how long it takes before they start Prototype (yes, I've heard it makes a difference).  Come join me and let's get to know each other so once our sailors are in Prototype, they may just get to know a new friend based on friendships started here within this discussion.

Also, other moms that have had their sailors on grad hold, please join us as well and share your multitude of experience.  We are always ready to learn from others that have gone before us.

Penny

mom of recent MM graduate from Power School (12/2/11)

[surfermom]

Hi Penny! My sailor graduated Power school last Friday, 12/2. So proud and it was a wonderful ceremony. My understanding is yes, grade point average makes a difference when and where they go to Prototype. As far as I know we will be in GC for about another 6 months. Of course, that is always subject to change. In a way I hope he stays in GC. He is able to come home from there but I think N.Y. would be a good experience also. I am just going to enjoy the time he is still close to home.

[elizabeth77(USS SAN FRANCISCO)]

Hi Penny, I have a son in Ballston Spa.  He graduated in mid June and was sent up to Ballston Spa mid October.  He worked at Patriot's Point during grad hold.  He lives with four other sailors.

[Penny_Nuke_MM2_NimitzNuke]

Surfer, wish I would have known you were there as I sure would have enjoyed meeting you and your sailor.  My son was the 4th to the VERY last one to walk across the stage and graduated with honors.  Needless to say, I was a proud mom.  We live in Washington State so it really doesn't make much difference for SC or NY - my son is hoping to go to NY for a change as he's really sick of SC and the heat and bugs in the summer.  lol  My son's first choice for jobs was college classes and he was awarded that but when he checked out what he could take, he had already completed them during his Associates Degrees in Engineering so he traded with another sailor that really wanted to take classes but was given Habitat for Humanity.  Now both boys are pretty excited about their "jobs".  Elizabeth, with your son working at Patriot's Point, did they take him off the galley food and give him a food allowance instead?  I've heard that happens when given a job off base.  Also, Elizabeth, when does he start Prototype or has he already started and, if you don't mind sharing, what was his GPA in PS (trying to take a poll to see if the lower half of the GPAs go first and the higher half goes later - which is how the sailors believe they choose who goes first).  Being that those with the highest GPAs can retain their knowledge longer and those in the lower end need to get their sooner so they don't lose what they learned during PS.

[elizabeth77(USS SAN FRANCISCO)]

Hi Penny, It took awhile but yes he was taken off galley food and had an allowance.  He could still eat there and could pay per meal.  He really loved grad hold.  Did a lot of fishing.  His job was done early in the day.  I don't remember his grade point average but it was in the top half.  I think he told me that really mattered when they scheduled the hold between A school and Power school. Not sure if it matters for Proto.  They are working his little tushy off up in Ballston Spa.  Twelve and Fourteen hour days and he hasn't even started watches.  

[TN Navy Mom (Stennis Nuke Mom)]

Mine is in Proto in Goose Creek. Graduated same time as Penny's sailor (6/17).  Like Penny's son, mine is not on watches yet and is putting in 12-14 hour days (hard to get "check offs" some days). Originally, mine was told that Grad Hold would be 6-8 months and it turned out to be 4 months.  I guess it's like everything else, listen to what you're told but believe nothing until the paperwork is in hand!!!

 

Mine worked on a paint crew at first and had really short days then transferred over to the wood shop after 2 months and loved the wood shop.  A lot of days were short in the wood shop.  He was home most days by 2:00 and some days by noon.  Qualified for college classes but there are only a certain # of slots available so didn't get to take classes.  He really enjoyed Grad Hold and so far likes Prototype but is tired.

[Aggie08Mom (ship 02,div. 903)]

My son graduated Power School on 10-7 and is still on grad hold.  He said he thinks it will probably be at least February before he starts proto.  I didn't know about the GPA determining when prototype started, and I can't remember what his GPA was in October.

[Mary(MMnukesmom)]

HI My son is headed up to BS on Friday. he has to be out of BEQ on Thrs and Muster on Friday then he is a driving up thru NJ staying with his Aunt and then headed up to the house they have rented.  He took college courses during grad hold in fact Calc 2 final is tomorrow.. He thought A and Power School where easy but Calc 2 kicked his Arse!!!  alot of work in 7 short weeks. LOL  He is excited for NY  when he was here over T-Giving he forgot to pack his snow pants so I guess I'll be sending them up...No I want to keep them they are nice for when I have to shovel.(He said they did make sure they contracted out for snow removal .. (Iowa Kids )  He is sharing a house with 3 other Nukes  and a civilian GF  I do know one Nuke is Iowa Nuke Girl thats what my son calls her..(she probably thought of the snow removal!)He did mention He cant wait to get a christmas tree. Yes I 'm having a hard time he was my big helper in that dept. But I am sending ornaments for his tree..   Ok So I will be holding tight fingers crossed that ProtoType goes smooth  and he gets his ELT! and he had above a 3.7 gpa in boith schools  he did say grades help

[Adam'sProudMom]

Hi, Penny, thanks for starting this! I only have about ten more days as a Grad Hold mom. My son’s Power School class graduated on August 12, and he starts Prototype on December 16, so he’s had about 4 months, although, as some others have mentioned, he was given to understand that it might be 6 months or so. I don’t know his GPA, but I’m fairly sure it wasn’t among the highest. This doesn’t come as naturally to him as it seems to with the others down there. Luckily, he’s very determined and hard-working (not sure where he gets that from!) and likes a challenge.
Since we live in NC, he requested Goose Creek, and we’re all happy that worked out. He’s planning to move on the 15th into a shared apartment about five minutes away.

[NavyMomLG]

My son graduated PS onOct 7. He was initially told Balston Spa in April or June, but was recently told February. He is at Patriot Point. Hope to hear more about Grad Hold when he is home for Christmas. Glad to have this discussion Group!

[Sara"Chris's"momET/USS Nebraska]

My son is an ET (not a MM) but is in a car with his soon to be room mate and 7 others in a convoy, somewhere between Philly and Balston Spa. I have not heard from them since yesterday. Said they were gonna crash on some family's floor last night, have a philly steak and cheese sandwich and then finesh the drive today! He is from Arizona and has only seen the snow a few times growing up, poor thing has no idea what real cold feels like lol. I asked him if he was cold he said a little chilly and might need to stop at Target and get a jacket, I said huh told him to do it a month ago. He said mom it's not Alaska only NY, it can't be that bad.. These kids are so smart, but often clueless lol. Bet he buys one today:-)

[elizabeth77(USS SAN FRANCISCO)]

I hope Target sells heavy down!  Oh and tell him to buy a windshield scraper!  They don't think about that until they wake up and go out to their car.

[NavyMomLG]

I had been trying to get a Christmas list from my son for about a week.  No response to my texts or FB messages.  Finally, last Friday, I get a text from him.  All it says is "Car Scraper."  He just bought his car a few weeks ago, and being from Minnesota, he knows how critical that is!