Navy Nukes

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Comment by Thomas Mazzaccaro on February 3, 2012 at 11:54am

My daughter is at RTC now.  Her PIR is 3/2/12.  She called the other day and said that she is definitely a grad-and-go.  She said she will probably fly out on Saturday morning.  She said that we can see her off at the airport and bring along personal items for her to take to GC.  Is that correct?  She wants us to bring a bag with her iPod, cell phone and some civilian clothing (jeans, t-shirt, and pj's). She said she will send a ful list in future letters.  Are these items allowed at GC?

Comment by old Lt on February 1, 2012 at 7:15pm

HI, I have been reading about some of our sailors not passing the various parts of the pipeline, A school, power and prototype. These are really smart kids and will land on their feet. One young man who has stayed with us for a few holidays didnt get through Power school. He is now stationed in San Diego as an Engineman on a cruiser and is very happy. I would expect he will excell there. I just hope he blesses our couch with his presence again and brings his own beer this time. I  believe he kept his rank from A school.  

Comment by William in Nashua on February 1, 2012 at 1:10pm

Congratulations to all who passed his prototype boards or made it to the next school.   Another power school class just graduated last week too  I believe.

Comment by Mike K on January 31, 2012 at 11:44pm

As I mentioned before, my sailor passed his prototype boards 13 months ago and is now an EM on the Springfield.  Navy Nuclear Power training has no real equivalent in the civilian world.  Nowhere in the civilian world is so much information crammed into such a short period of study.  It is said that it is equal to or even harder than engineering at MIT.  It is no wonder that not all who start will finish, and not finishing is in no way to be taken as failure.  These fine young people have earned their incredible achievement which they rightfully take great pride in, as well they should.  Their families have every right to be proud of this achievement as well.  To those just coming into the program, best of luck to you and your sailors, the journey will be long and difficult but in the end, well worth it.

Comment by htsanjose on January 31, 2012 at 11:17pm

My daughter is a MM on the Reagan now. I still remember the night when she passed the last test of power school, she called home, her voice was barely heard from exhaustion, she told us that after passing this school, she thought she could do anything, anything in this world! This tells me how challenging the Nuke power shool is. I am so proud of our Nuke sons and daughters.

Comment by RBart on January 31, 2012 at 9:03pm

So proud of our son who passed Prototype Board exam today! Selected for ELT training so will stay in Ballston Spa til May, then likely join the fleet.

Comment by Charles on January 31, 2012 at 6:25pm

Welcome aboard Bob (just Bob) My son is just leaving GC for Ballston Spa. Look forward to reading your input and questions.

 

 

Comment by Bob morrell on January 31, 2012 at 6:18pm

Hello to All,  Congrats on your Sons/Daughters being in the Nuclear Program. Our Son Matt has enlisted and been accepted into the program, he leaves for Great Lakes July 18th. Then off to South Carolina after that. Look forward to participating in the site and attaining more information and then helping others as we move along.  Bob

Comment by William in Nashua on January 31, 2012 at 2:54pm

Yes KS Dad sadly there was also a suicide at Nuclear Power School last year too right before the holidays. It was awful. There was another one at Ballston Spa last year too.  It is good to hear from dads whose sailors have made it all the way through the program and are at sea now. Good to hear the success stories too.

When people do fail at the very end of Prototype that must be awful, you have to wonder, like maybe they were struggling a long time and the Navy carried them as long as they could and gave as many chances as they could before dropping them?  It would be creepy if it were just the hand of Fate picking out people who otherwise thought they were doing fine all along.  

Comment by KS Dad on January 30, 2012 at 3:48pm

My son had a similar experience to lsdemme2001's son. He's a MM on the Reagan and did one deployment to the Arabian Gulf. He was also offered the reup bonus while getting combat pay (untaxed bonus) but he decided to turn it down. My son finishes his Navy commitment in 2015 and is planning to use his GI bill to go to college.

My son was never the studious type and he worked hard to pass his tests. I knew he was a very tough individual but I still worried about his emotional health. During the time he was in Nuke A school at GC, two young sailors took their own lives. My thoughts were what the hell did he get into.

He had a classmate wash out in Prototype less than a week before the "awarding of the lanyards." It was very sad and I communicated with the sailor who washed out's mother. He is doing fine after a period of depression and then readjustment. There is a good life in the Navy even after dropping Nuke school.

There is no doubt in my mind that these kids who get through the nuclear program will go on to be their generations leading citizens, whether in the Navy or in the civilian world.

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