Sub vs Carrier Duty

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Permalink Reply by Zazzws on December 26, 2011 at 4:47pm

The PBS series "Carrier" is available on Youtube for free viewing.

http://www.youtube.com/show?p=lwRWg1czcnk&tracker=show_av

Permalink Reply by Ward Baxter on January 9, 2012 at 3:28am

My son will PIR this coming Friday before moving on to GC to begin his Nuke journey. He'll start with ET A school.

This particular thread really interests me, because I assume that almost everyone posting here is referring to a nuke they know. How often do nukes actually get shore liberty while on a cruise? There are other sites where current and former nukes talk about how miserable the job is because, while most everyone else on the boat can shut down whatever they work on and go ashore, nukes have to tend to the reactor and rarely get that opportunity. True?

I actually tried to steer my son toward AECF but he was determined to go this route. Of course, I'll fully support him; I'm just curious as to what he's going to experience in the fleet. Thanks to all your sailors for their service!

Permalink Reply by Ric Pallson on January 10, 2012 at 12:42am

My daughter - a carrier nuke -- look at the Abe Lincoln thread or their Facebook page -- is having a good time in Thailand.  If this deployment is like the last one the next 4 months she will get to see sunshine every other weekend -- not too bad.  As a nuke, she doesn't have to put on her whites and stand there while the Admiral entertains diplomats and ambassadors on the hangar deck.

When they get to the Gulf -- the only enemy for a nuke is boredom -- below decks always.

Before they deployed at least a month of mostly onboard duty -- getting everything ready for inspection etc. Something like 24hr on 8on 8on one day off.  Still don't understand what the 5 and dime is.

A carrier has at least 6 O-6 officers on board. And the Admiral.  3000 Sailors not counting the 2000 air wing.

Totally different world to submarines.

Have viewed most of the videos mentioned above. Some good, but none really capture the isolation and boredom, and responsibility.

Hope this helps

R

Permalink Reply by Ric Pallson on January 10, 2012 at 1:17am

Hey Ward -- should have mentioned -- power school is the toughest -- by far -- A school is a doddle, prototype is just a hard long slog -- but they get through it -- give all the support you can -- but your Sailor will be busting his buns at Power School and not have very many minutes to reply to words of support.  He will be working very hard indeed. Give all the support you possibly  can.  It is a tough one.

R

Permalink Reply by Ward Baxter on January 10, 2012 at 1:33am

Thanks, Ric. That's good information.

Permalink Reply by Zazzws on January 11, 2012 at 8:56pm

Hey Ward. Try to make it to your son's power school graduation. It is a milestone in his career and Charleston is a great city to visit.

Also, send him lots of care packages. The restaurants on or near base get old real quick.

Congratulations on your son's achievements!

Permalink Reply by old Lt on January 12, 2012 at 8:54am

Tell your sailor to join Groupon for Charleston. They email a coupon for usually 50% off for restaurants, fast food, attractions etc. Sometimes it beats the military discount when there is one available.

Permalink Reply by Ward Baxter on January 12, 2012 at 10:55am

I will definitely try to attend power school grad.

Thanks for the Groupon advice, too.

Permalink Reply by Jonathan Cooper on January 17, 2012 at 9:16am

I see a lot about Subs but how about a pro and con about Carriers.  My son wants Carriers.  By the way how many nukes on a sub v. carrier?

Permalink Reply by Ric Pallson on January 17, 2012 at 10:26am

Don't know exactly but subs have only a dozen or two dozen Nukes.

Carriers -- where my daughter works -- they have a hundred or so Nukes.  When the ship posted their division picture on the Facebook they had to do it in parts.  Subs vs carriers -- like small town vs city.

A co-worker was a bubblehead a-ganger -- it is totally different.

Sub -- the CO is an O6 or an O5 and there are only  a few hundred ratings aboard.

Carrier -- the CO is an O6 and there are another half-dozen O6s aboard plus the Admiral plus 3000 -- right three thousand sailors and two thou air wing. Humongous.

Reactor department on a carrier has near as much crew as the whole crew of a sub.

Totally different world.

"Bubbleheads" vs "targets" or "skimmers" -- don't want to get into that controversy.

Permalink Reply by Ric Pallson on January 17, 2012 at 10:41am

Have to add @Ward & zazzws --

Be there for Power school grad.  Be there!

Not only is chuckville a great place to visit, but your sailor getting through Power School is something to really celebrate.  Them getting through 6 months of hundred hour weeks and not forgetting a single atom -- celebrate! Really.

R

Permalink Reply by Jonathan Cooper on January 17, 2012 at 12:41pm

Thank you Ric this was indeed helpful

Ric Pallson said:

Don't know exactly but subs have only a dozen or two dozen Nukes.

Carriers -- where my daughter works -- they have a hundred or so Nukes.  When the ship posted their division picture on the Facebook they had to do it in parts.  Subs vs carriers -- like small town vs city.

A co-worker was a bubblehead a-ganger -- it is totally different.

Sub -- the CO is an O6 or an O5 and there are only  a few hundred ratings aboard.

Carrier -- the CO is an O6 and there are another half-dozen O6s aboard plus the Admiral plus 3000 -- right three thousand sailors and two thou air wing. Humongous.

Reactor department on a carrier has near as much crew as the whole crew of a sub.

Totally different world.

"Bubbleheads" vs "targets" or "skimmers" -- don't want to get into that controversy.

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