New Nuke Mom

[thorgirl17]

My son just went back to MEPS to sign a new contract for the Nuke Program (I am crazy proud of him!)  

They moved his BC date from May 15th to October 3rd, 2013.  The recruiter said they will request early enlistment, but that he needs to cross his fingers people mess up so he can get a spot.

My question is- how likely is it that he will get to BC sooner than October?  Has anyone else had this happen and got moved up, and if so was there any sort of notice or will they call and say we need you here tomorrow?

I know he is disappointed because he was getting ready to go this 
Spring and another 5 months seems so long to him....

[Regi]

My son just finished boot camp and is now at Nuke.  He too requested an early enlistment but it just didn't happen.  He waited out the time but tell your son that it's worth the wait and encourage him to work on education.  Coursera has some wonderful free online classes in many topics.  

[Sierrascrapper (ETN2)]

My son took the ASVAB back in November of his Junior year of HS...then about a month ago he told us he wanted to join the Navy.  He got a 93 on his ASVAB, and when we went to see the recruiter he said suggested that my son sign up as a Nuke.  Since he's 17 we signed the paperwork to enter him in the DEP for his Senior year of HS and send him to MEPS.  He is going to MEPS this weekend for his physical and we got a call from his recruiter yesterday telling him that he needed to take the NAPT (aka Nuke test) as his line scores were just short of the requirements.  He didn't do well on the electrical and mechanical sections on the test as he hadn't really been exposed to it yet. He takes the test tomorrow afternoon. So, we'll soon see if my son will be a future Nuke.  He's doing quite well in high school, taking almost all AP classes and next year he will be taking a dual credit Calculus course at the local University.

I have been lurking for a few weeks trying to do research about the NF and I have to say that this group seems wonderful and I am grateful for all the information available here as this is all new to our family.  I look forward to sharing this amazing experience with all of you.

[NF Mom]

Congratulations on you son passing the Nuke test Sierrascrapper.

[Sierrascrapper (ETN2)]

Thanks so much NF Mom!  I'm beaming with pride and my son is too!  He was so thrilled on the phone and even made me try to guess his score. We dropped him off at the recruiter's office for MEPS and swearing into DEP this morning.  Can't wait for the call tomorrow after he gets through it all. 

[Sierrascrapper (ETN2)]

Congrats to you daughter Shelliedorn.  What an amazing experience these kids have ahead of them.  You are so right about how fast things move along.  I think it was only a month ago that my son told me he was interested in joining the Navy and then as soon as we saw the recruiter, it all moved along so quickly after that.  When we dropped him off at the recruiter's office this morning for his first trip to MEPS, the recruiter told me that the Nuke coordinators were going to be there and have everything all ready for him.  So strange to me, all this fuss.  Even though my son still has a year of HS left, things are going to move at break-neck speed. I'm sure it was the same for your family and your daughter.  I bet it was hard to fathom when the Navy moved the date up for her.  You are so right about them changing things up.  We moms have to get used to that I guess.  I'm one who likes to PLAN PLAN PLAN and have things organized ahead of time, so we'll see how easy it is to roll with the changes. 

Thanks again for your encouragement and the best of luck to your daughter too!  Get teased is something to be proud of indeed, especially for such a great group of sailors.

[Sierrascrapper (ETN2)]

Just had to share...we now have a SR in our household! My son texted this afternoon that he is IN and his ship date is July 1st, 2014. So proud of him and the choice he has made to serve in the Navy. So proud that he has worked hard in school to be offered the opportunity to serve in the Nuke Field too. I have to admit I'm beaming from all sides today. Even the negative people I encounter at my job couldn't change my attitude after I got his message. Now the real challenge begins for my son AND for me!

[susank]

Congratulations Sierrascrapper! Your enthusiasm is wonderful! You will be a great support system for your son! God Bless You! We are all here to support you!!

[Sierrascrapper (ETN2)]

Thanks Susan! I really do LOVE the Navy and the brave young men and women who make this sacrifice for our country. I hope I can be as upbeat for my son and all the sailor Moms here just as you all are so helpful to us newbies. The folks on N4M and in this group are a great inspiration. I know I'll have my share of questions as my son embarks on this GREAT adventure. I'm grateful that there is a support group out there for us so that we don't have to go blindly through this experience.

[momtom1932]

my son was told October and then within a day it became August 6th!  He was upset because his birthday is August 7th and he didn't want to be away for that, this system seems really crazy to me

[dbilyou]

I can share my daughter's experience.  Since Nuke is very difficult to get into and there are always limited openings, the only way that he will get in earlier is if someone drops out or has some kind of medical issue etc.  It took my daughter over a year from the time she signed up to the time she went to boot camp.  Tell him that his entire naval career will be a hurry up and wait experience. My daughter's schedule so far has been like this - Arrive in BC 11 July, 2012, graduate from BC 8 Sept 2012, leave for GC (A School and Power School), 9 Sept, 2012 (yes, we only got 1 evening with her before she had to leave for A School) wait approximately 4 week to start A School, graduate A School 20 Dec 2012, 2 weeks of leave, start Power School Feb 2013, graduate Power School 28 June, 2013, start leave, report to NY for Prototype 22 July, 2013 but she will be waiting for 1 - 2 months before she classes up to start the actual Prototype training.  Hope this helps

[Binker & Bro: 2X Nuke Mom]

holler if your daughter ever wants to get away. I live in Upstate NY, about 3 hours from BS. We live in Elmira, on the PA border and are always happy to take care of a Nuke far from home.

 

[Blstz822]

Hi -- I am 40 minutes on the western side of Corning, small town, and my son goes into bc the end of October, followed by nuke school.  I have so many questions.  Would you mind messaging me?