Navy Nukes

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Comment by Chuck Gant on March 21, 2013 at 4:55pm

Thanks Isdemme2001.  My son is in school for ET also.

Comment by Daniel Cederborg on March 21, 2013 at 4:19pm

Thanks Isdemme2001, useful info.  My son is an ET too.

Comment by lsdemme2001 on March 21, 2013 at 3:48pm

Daniel C.- My guess is that he will probably get the clearance that he needs for sub duty.  Relax about that because there isn't much you can do about it either way. As for life on the carriers...my son completed his second (and hopefully final) deployment in November.  He is a Nuclear Electronics Technician.  Not sure what your sons rating is, but the ETs don't have it too bad on the carriers.  My son really hated the deployments though.  The first one they are all low man on the totem pole and get pretty lousy watches and they have to qualify almost the entire time.  Second deployment was better because he was fully qualified as a reactor operator and the watches were much better.  Aside from the tediousness the working conditions were decent for him as an ET.  Life on board the carrier is only as good as your sailors attitude.  When my son was involved with intense body building exercises for most of his second deployment, he lost thirty pounds of fat and gained ten pounds of muscle and had a whole new attitude about everything.  So it really is what you make of it.  My guess is that life on board the carriers is more comfortable than life on board a sub.  Either way your sailor is among the Navy elite and should always keep that in mind and be proud no matter if he is on a sub or carrier.  Best of luck to you and your sailor.     

Comment by Daniel Cederborg on March 21, 2013 at 2:43pm

So I need some advice.  My son is still in the THU at GL.  He has apparently cleared his medical hold for Nuke but still has to get a waiver for his "history of ulcers" for sub duty (which he got at boot camp due to the antibiotics they gave most of them for the epidemic of colds/flu -- No major symptoms).  While we're hoping there won't be any problem with the waiver, he's been hearing that life on the carriers for the Nukes isn't so hot so he's doubting whether he wants to stay in Nuke if he doesn't get approved for sub duty.  I don't know who he's hearing this from 'cause he just texts us snippets of info from time to time.  Anyone have any views on that issue?  Life on board carriers for Nukes?  Do you think they'd even allow him to transfer out of Nuke for some other duty once he's signed up for this?  I expect to talk to him as some point over the next couple of days and any insight or experiences would be welcome.  Don't want him making any decisions in a vacuum.  We're hoping he just gets cleared for sub duty.

Comment by Ric Pallson on March 20, 2013 at 2:05am

Thanks Chuck --

I think your advice to just find somewhere, take it easy and catch up slow with your (used to be kid) and now (seriously competent sailor) -- that's been good advice for me from boot camp through PIR and GC and A-school and the two deployments my kid has done since signing up.

Do - leave a lot of time to hear their stories -- because there will be times - real soon, when the only contact for a few months or 8 months - or something -- will be you sending a CARE package and sometimes a postcard - so very little communication for long stretches of time once they join the fleet.

Take care.

Comment by Chuck Gant on March 19, 2013 at 9:39pm

Well I did it; I loaded up my two daughters, and drove 18 hours to South Carolina.

I just made it back from Goose Creek last night. I left with tons of great information on the area thanks to all of the comments; but in the end we only had time for a few. To be honest the best of the weekend was when we all just hung out at the motel room and talked; I got to hear bootcamp stories, learned some of the lingo, learned about life on base, and lots of other useful Navy info.

Anyway, we made it to Patriots Point, the old market and surrounding shops, the movie theater, the NEX, the commissary, and the mall. I got to meet a lot of his new friends, many of them we ran into at the mall.

I recommend for anyone who is visiting for the first time to just find a nice comfortable area to sit and talk... if he/she is just out of bootcamp they will want to share their stories and a full itinerary will just interfere with the perfect visit. Do find a great spot for photos (like Patriots Point).

It was also very cool seeing how others treated him in his uniform; a small boy came up to him in a gift shop and thanked him for serving. We had a couple of conversations with some retired sailors, and got some discounted prices even when it was not the norm. All in all it was awesome just seeing him in his uniform, and the way he carried himself.

One of the coolest things was once again having all my kids in one room.

Motel: We stayed at the Days Inn in Goose Creek... not the best, but not bad for the price. ½ block from the base, 3 min from the Dive & guard gate. The service and house keeping not very good; the room was a little musty. I will probably stay someplace nicer the next time, but I still recommend it on a tight budget. (3 days for $208 total, and we checked in 4 hours early at no charge) this was with the 20% discount for booking 3 days early.

Thanks again for all of the great information, I will still check out some of the recommended places on my next visit.

Comment by Phillip Mitchell on March 19, 2013 at 7:22pm

At the airport I gave him his cell phone, watch, mp3 player, and here is the one I amn most proud of...the style of underwear he wore at home.  Initally he skoffed but 3 days later he texted me THANKS for the underwear, I didn't realize how uncomfortable I've been these last few months. The rest of the stuff like civilian clothes and such he can recieve by mail as he gears up. Enjoy PIR, Power School Grad was wonderful but PIR was more emotional for me.  Good Luck..GO NAVY 

Comment by lsdemme2001 on March 19, 2013 at 11:43am

They are not even allowed to bring cell phones into the class room with them.  They are studying classified materials and they must act accordingly.  No recording devices etc.  They do not need a laptop for their studies.  They are allowed to have one in their dorm at A school though for personal use.  They have a lot of restrictions initially, then as they progress the restrictions get easier and are lifted, depending on their progress.  Your recruit will let you know what he/she needs once they are settled.

Comment by Brian E. Moore on March 19, 2013 at 11:37am

I wouldn't bring anything to PIR for him. You can bring it to the airport though. I brought my daughter her cell phone, laptop and a few other things. The laptop is just used for personal use. All there homework, studying and class work is done in a building where pretty much nothing can be brought out or in.

Comment by John Wetzel on March 19, 2013 at 11:21am

My son is in boot camp now and will be going to GC after. Does he need a laptop for A school? What else would be good for us to take to PIR for him? We will be visiting him when he gets to GC.

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