Home Stretch

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Permalink Reply by Tom Lufkin on November 28, 2013 at 7:25am

I am a retired Navy Nuc living in Goose Creek  I am at the school command frequently and know many of the Officers and Chiefs at the command.  I will tell you that your son has a good chance to finish if he remembers two things  

One, every instructor at the command will help him do whatever it takes to succeed.  He is the engine on the train.  If he makes the effort they will do everything possible to get him thru.  Remember, however, a few of the young people I meet at NNPTC come from the spoiled generation and think they should be just given everything including passing grades.  The instructor staff had to pass a grueling course to be instructors and they know if a student is really working or just trying to get by.

Two, the Navy is in need of nuclear trained personnel and they understand that some students will make great operators but have trouble with the classroom.  Again, the instructors know who these kids are and will work with them to get them thru.  

My point is it is up to your son to demonstrate how bad he wants to pass.  The instructors will bend over backward for someone really trying and washout someone who is screwing around and constantly getting into trouble.  Your son has a choice each evening to go to study hall and get help or go to the Dive and have a beer.  Remember, these kids (and I was a kid once) will be operating nuclear reactors in NY harbor during Fleet Week.  I don't want a screwoff in that chair.

I wish your son the best and perhaps one day I will meet him and congratulate him. 

Tom Lufkin ETC(SS) Ret.

Permalink Reply by Carol Pigg on November 28, 2013 at 9:43am

Prayers of strength and clarity of mind for your sailor. Prayers of support to those who love these wonderful young men and women.
Tom has already answered your question as well as anyone could.

Permalink Reply by lsdemme2001 on November 28, 2013 at 3:25pm

Hank,  your son sounds a lot like mine did when he was in the nuke schooling.  Today he is a First Class Petty Officer Nuclear Electronics Technician. He completed two tours in the Persian Gulf aboard "The Big E".  Keeping his spirits up during every leg of his schooling was a huge part of my life at that time.  He too had tons of extra required study time imposed.  He barely made it through his tests...but the instructors and superiors saw something in him and kept him relevant.  He wanted badly to quit.  It was the instructors who kept him on the right track.  He had a room mate while in Balston Spa reactor prototype training who was washed out just two weeks before final graduation.  This kid wanted badly to be a nuke, but the Navy saw a flaw. Despite his academic performance he was washed out and my son, who barely made it academically, was kept in the pipeline.

Toms answer was right on the money.  It boils down to what his superiors see in your son.  If he is looked upon as someone who will make a good nuke he will get the attention and the direction that he needs to make it.  If he is looked at unfavorably he wont make it.  Sounds to me like they see promise in your son and he will make it.  It is a long and very difficult journey, but once he graduates the ffort will be well worth it.  

Best of luck.  L. Demme 

Permalink Reply by Hank Manns on November 28, 2013 at 5:37pm

Thanks to everyone!  My wife and I have renewed optimism and will certainly pass on your experiences to our Son.  We will forever be full of gratitude for your words of inspiration and look forward to reporting to you our Son's success.  Thanks again!

Permalink Reply by Scott Henry on March 30, 2017 at 12:28am

I was teaching Chemistry/Materials/Radiological Fundamentals at Power School at the time you made this post. Do you remember what class your son was in?