Navy Nukes

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Comment by Drew's Dad on January 27, 2011 at 6:26am

Jerry-encourgage your son to hang in there.  My son is now in prototype after a year in Goose Creek.  My son is also athletic but had not spent too much time with weights in the gym.  At Goose Creek he became a gym rat!  Spent as much time as possible in the gym during the week and looked forward to some very competitive ultimate frisbee on the weekend.  He focused as much as possible on the physical when not in the classroom.  It will get better for your son!

Comment by Mike K on January 26, 2011 at 11:34pm

Jerry, hope all goes well with your son.  My son just finished prototype and has gone through all what your son is going through.  My son also is very athletically inclined being a gymnast.  He mentioned that he also was frustrated at times during A school and power school and what he did was volunteered to be PT leader and really pushed his classmates.  There is also a gym available, though with all the study, there are limited hours to use those facilities.  Also, his suggestion besides the Chaplain, is to talk to his SLPO and if he is not comfortable with that, his class leader.  There are services available, they just need to become aware of them and take advantage.

Comment by William in Nashua on January 26, 2011 at 10:20pm

Hi Jerry, I hope everything goes well for your son.  I think it is a good outlet to have some sports at Goose Creek like the Lacrosse or even if they just play pick up basketball games.  It is good to have an outlet like that to burn off some steam.   The chaplain sounds like a good idea too.  The chaplain might be able to help get some sports organized or at least connect your son with other students interested in athletics.  It is a healthier way to burn off some steam than the Playstation 3.

 

I have heard, for A School it starts off deceptively easy but keeps getting harder and harder so don't worry the challenge will come.

 

Comment by proud dad Nuke sailor on January 26, 2011 at 1:03pm

Also I was surprised when I called my son one weekend to have him answer and they were on a navy sponsored road trip to to Orlando they were in a navy van traveling a bunch of them. I know that others that were not doing as well had mandatory study time. The part that my son is involved in now is more difficult for him but he is doing well. I believe that all you can do is to encourage your son, I have been amazed at the positive changes in my son.

Comment by Knight Dad on January 26, 2011 at 10:57am

Thanks for all the support guys, it is truly appreciated.  I know he is just in an adjustment phase right now, and didn't really anticipate how boring much of this was going to be.  I think as things get harder for him academically, and some of the lifestyle restriction is eased, it will get better.  I think talking to the chaplain is a very good idea, and it will give him someone to listen to.  I am not as sympathetic to the situation as I should be, I just keep thinking of how good an opportunity he has, compared to the hardships that most young men are facing today.  I am sure he will overcome this, and it will become an opportunity for him to learn from.  Again, thanks for all the support, and Chris, I will check in with him and see if he is interested in pursuing some other activities.  Thanks!

Comment by old Lt on January 26, 2011 at 10:35am

Jerry, My son is a a few months ahead of yours in A School in GC. There is certainly a lot to do in class and it will get tougher. However, the physical activity thing is still there. I don't know how much the different classes mix but I know my son had us send down lacrosse and some other sports equip. Last time we spoke about it they were looking for others to play on weekends. let me know if there is interest and we can contact outside this forum and I will give you his contact info. Chris

Comment by proud dad Nuke sailor on January 26, 2011 at 9:31am

congratulations on your sons scores, my son is coming up on the end of power school. The right fit is a must with any position, the schedule A school can be challenging, when my son went in the positions available were seals and nukes, there were no other choices.  I encourage my son to do the best that he can and offer him my unconditional support. I know my son will do his best but hearing it from his dad I believe helps. My son has even gotten over the guy macho thing and I hear him say i love you dad. 

I did encourage my son to become a nuke he had other choices in other branches of the military I took my son to visit with a friend that I work with that was an airdale I was a seabee.

There are chaplains there and there are also councilors, no mater what choice your son makes thank him for choosing to serve our country.

Comment by Chuck Brunson on January 26, 2011 at 9:28am

To Jerry Krause:

  There are several avenues your son could take to get counseling for dealing with the issues you raise, but in all likelihood, he won't be very happy with the answer.  Don't misunderstand, I'm not passing judgement on you or your son.  I've seen too many times motivated young men and women get diverted at MEPS from their ambitions because they score well on the ASVAB.  Nuclear power is a great program and can set a young man up well for the future, but it is not for everyone.  Unfortunately, there is no provisions for leaving the program because of an overzealous MEPS classifier.

 

Having said that, my first suggestion would be a Navy Chaplain.  They are very good at providing counseling for folks enduring emotional distress at NNPTC and NPTU.  He could potentially discuss it with a Career Counselor, but as I said before, there isn't much that can be done there.

 

I will offer one possible alternative- when your son completes NF training, and if he is a submarine volunteer, SSN submarines have their own Scuba Divers onboard.  They are sent to Navy Diving School, undergo a rigorous physical and academic training program, perform security dives and emergency maintenance dives on the boats they serve.  He should mention that as soon as he reports aboard so that the command leadership can identify him as an interested person.

 

Good luck to you and your son.  I know it's tough, but considering how much the program can provide, he should learn pretty quickly that choosing nuke isn't really as much of a mistake as he may believe right now.

Comment by Knight Dad on January 26, 2011 at 8:11am

Could anyone please advise me of a useful resource for my son who is struggling emotionally with A-school in the Nuke program.  He is a very physical, active, athletic young man, and he is now worried that he has made a very big mistake.  He is not having trouble with the academics, he just wanted more of a physical challenge.  He originally wanted to be swcc, but the meps center gently persuaded him into nukes because of his scores.  Is there someone he can discuss things with,even if it is just to vent, like a counselor or advisor on base at goose creek?

Comment by Susan J on January 23, 2011 at 12:07am

According to my son he says it is $150 a month and it is SUPPOSE to be after Prototype, but most times wont get it til you get to the ship/sub and have to complain to personnel office to get it...

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