My son wants to be a Navy Nuke.

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by NavyDads Admin (Paul) on January 4, 2011 at 8:32pm

Ace the ASVAB first.....and I'm talking at the very top  Once in nuke school, it is very fast-paced, very high pressure...if he has any doubts at all (ie- not an alpha type), maybe he should reconsider

Permalink Reply by NavyDads Admin, Tim on January 4, 2011 at 8:39pm

Another thing your son needs to look at is what he wants to do after he gets out of the navy. I know that it is a huge task to be in the nuke program and they can go just about anywhere they want after the navy and get a job. My son was being recruited as a nuke and decided against it as we live in central Oklahoma and the closest nuclear plant is in central Arkansas. He said he didn't want to be that far away from home when he got out of the Navy.

Permalink Reply by Charles on January 4, 2011 at 9:03pm

My son is only in his first week of Nuke school so I'm not sure how helpful I can be but for my son it seemed to be a good fit. He was always interested in the math and sciences. Hobbies where rocks, astrology, physics and his saltwater fish ( A LOT of water testing ). I guess the point I'm adding is if your son likes this type of field on a daily basis. I got a lot of help right here on Navydads about what an average week would look like for an ELT (a type of nuke ).

Permalink Reply by William in Nashua on January 4, 2011 at 11:17pm

Sam, welcome to the group. 

 

I can't give you a success story yet because my son just started his Navy journey (3rd week of training in boot camp) but maybe I can tell you what they seem to be looking for.  Not a fragile ego,  need to be able to take a punch and get back on your feet.   Someone who pays attention to detail. Trainable in other words can this person listen and follow directions you have to learn things their way.  Yes score high on the ASVAB  definitely helps to get it in the 90's (mine got a 99) range but I have also heard of people in the 80's getting in.  They weigh in your school grades too.  I do not think the ASVAB score means anything  after you enlist, I think they toss it out and  everyone starts over  from a clean slate.  So if you are in, you are in.   You must really want to be a nuke for sure it is hard work.   For sure stay out of trouble and definitely not have trouble with the law.  Even bad credit or late debt payments.  They are stricter because you get a clearance. You cannot  be color blind or I think have certain allergies.  The medical exam is more thorough they screen you more at MEPS then again at boot camp (more blood work and medical tests for nukes at boot camp)  and again at power school.  I think there are certain conditions that disqualify you from being a nuke on subs but not aircraft carriers for example sinus problems and blocked ears and that sort of thing.  So you may still be a nuke but not on submarines. This is from when the recruiter visited our house.   I wish I knew more.

 

There is about a 9 month delay from the time you first enlist until you go to boot camp so be prepared especially if all his friends are away at school etc.  it gets  mighty boring.  He was chomping at the bit by the end of it.  If you live in a city that might not be an issue.  It is a good idea to run and work out since they have to pass the same fitness test as other sailors.  One more thing, once a nuke always a nuke.  They do not let you un-volunteer either during schooling or after you qualify.   You cannot switch jobs.   Also you cannot switch from some other Navy job to nuke, you have to enlist as a nuke.  It is kind of closed community in that regard. Just thought I would mention that.

 

 

Permalink Reply by Mike K on January 4, 2011 at 11:48pm

My son has just completed his comps and oral boards for prototype and is set to graduate this Friday.  He has been assigned to a sub which was his choice.  In general there is no question this is one of the toughest, if not the toughest training programs in the armed forces.  The one thing that sticks out in my mind that my son told me about nukes is that they are some of the brightest people he has ever known, but at times tend to lack common sense and some have done some rather stupid things that have cost them dearly, so really be careful what you do. Another thing is that the instructors, and really everyone there is there to be of help.  The training is extremely tough but all are there to help you succeed and want you to succeed.  My son is set to report to his boat exactly 2 years to the day from his entry into boot camp, so it is a long grind.  If anyone has any specific questions I will gladly try to help.

From what I know, much of what William said is true.  The one point I should mention is that the once a nuke always a nuke is not necessarily correct.  He is right in that you can not simply un-volunteer, though there were several nukes that for grade reasons and or behavioral reasons(common sense) were de-nuked.  Some who failed A school were released from the Navy.  You earn your rating out of A school so if you fail later or do something you shouldn't, you get de-nuked and become a non nuke MM, EM or ET in the non nuclear Navy.

Permalink Reply by William in Nashua on January 5, 2011 at 6:27am

Mike congratulations to your son that is great!   That's what I meant you to cannot un-volunteer  yourself but they can sure fail you out of the program. 

 

What sort of behavior I heard underage drinking in town gets more of them thrown out than failing tests!  Is there any truth to that.  Thanks.

Mike K said:

My son has just completed his comps and oral boards for prototype and is set to graduate this Friday.  He has been assigned to a sub which was his choice.  In general there is no question this is one of the toughest, if not the toughest training programs in the armed forces.  The one thing that sticks out in my mind that my son told me about nukes is that they are some of the brightest people he has ever known, but at times tend to lack common sense and some have done some rather stupid things that have cost them dearly, so really be careful what you do. Another thing is that the instructors, and really everyone there is there to be of help.  The training is extremely tough but all are there to help you succeed and want you to succeed.  My son is set to report to his boat exactly 2 years to the day from his entry into boot camp, so it is a long grind.  If anyone has any specific questions I will gladly try to help.

From what I know, much of what William said is true.  The one point I should mention is that the once a nuke always a nuke is not necessarily correct.  He is right in that you can not simply un-volunteer, though there were several nukes that for grade reasons and or behavioral reasons(common sense) were de-nuked.  Some who failed A school were released from the Navy.  You earn your rating out of A school so if you fail later or do something you shouldn't, you get de-nuked and become a non nuke MM, EM or ET in the non nuclear Navy.

Permalink Reply by Sam Moore on January 5, 2011 at 6:39am

Thanks to everyone. Greg got an 89 on the ASVAB and he finds out today if his line scores are good enough.

Permalink Reply by KS Dad on January 5, 2011 at 1:34pm

All good advice has been given by previous notes. My son is finishing Prototype in March.

I'd just add that at each stage of the nuc school process, the difficulty increases. Sometimes in a different way other than academics but it still gets tougher. An iron will with above average academic skills would be what I'd say it takes. My son barely got in by his ASVAB score but he's always been in the upper third of his nuc school classes. If you got A's in High School without trying I'd say nuc school will be pretty tough on you. Everyone has to study including the really high IQ people, and if they don't know how to study they'll have to learn or they will fail.

The stress of this school cannot be understated. This is somewhat by design because of the nature of the work these young people do. I have no doubt that this generation of young Navy Nucs are the very finest young men and women in our country. Hooyah.

Permalink Reply by Sam Moore on January 5, 2011 at 9:46pm

The process is rolling along. He found out today his scores were good enough to get in. The guy from the Nuke program called him and he will probably process at MEPs next week sometime.

Permalink Reply by GP on January 6, 2011 at 9:04am

My son is up at Balston Spa. He said his graduation has been pushed back from this January to "sometime later" as the last class is still waiting to graduate.  Patience is one of the most needed qualities for all nukes.  God Bless all of your fine sons and daughters who are proudly serving our country!

Permalink Reply by NavyDads Admin (Paul) on January 6, 2011 at 9:23am

One other item...your sailor has to self-motivated to do what whatever it takes.  If he is used to being told to study this and that and being led by the hand rather than getting in there and tackling the learning materials head on he may some some issues.  "The fear of failure is the death of success"

Permalink Reply by Mike K on January 7, 2011 at 12:20am

William, you are right in that most of the behavior problems stem from drinking, especially underage drinking.  If caught by the police they could very well be out of the Navy.  Several sailors that my son knew about were caught underage drinking in town, did some really stupid things with a truck, got one person was hurt very badly, they got masted and kicked out of the Navy.  One was even class honorman.  The Navy has very little patience with that type of behavior.  Technically you can not come back to the barracks drunk either or you will be written up.  What I find interesting is that right next to the mini NEX by the barracks is a bar which many sailors go to.  At least that keeps them off the roads and near the barracks I suppose.

William in Nashua said:

Mike congratulations to your son that is great!   That's what I meant you to cannot un-volunteer  yourself but they can sure fail you out of the program. 

 

What sort of behavior I heard underage drinking in town gets more of them thrown out than failing tests!  Is there any truth to that.  Thanks.

Mike K said:

My son has just completed his comps and oral boards for prototype and is set to graduate this Friday.  He has been assigned to a sub which was his choice.  In general there is no question this is one of the toughest, if not the toughest training programs in the armed forces.  The one thing that sticks out in my mind that my son told me about nukes is that they are some of the brightest people he has ever known, but at times tend to lack common sense and some have done some rather stupid things that have cost them dearly, so really be careful what you do. Another thing is that the instructors, and really everyone there is there to be of help.  The training is extremely tough but all are there to help you succeed and want you to succeed.  My son is set to report to his boat exactly 2 years to the day from his entry into boot camp, so it is a long grind.  If anyone has any specific questions I will gladly try to help.

From what I know, much of what William said is true.  The one point I should mention is that the once a nuke always a nuke is not necessarily correct.  He is right in that you can not simply un-volunteer, though there were several nukes that for grade reasons and or behavioral reasons(common sense) were de-nuked.  Some who failed A school were released from the Navy.  You earn your rating out of A school so if you fail later or do something you shouldn't, you get de-nuked and become a non nuke MM, EM or ET in the non nuclear Navy.

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• 3
• Next ›
• Page