We saw our oldest off to Navy basic training today...

[djsander]

Don't know if being a Navy Nuke is the best job in the Navy, but it worked out well for me. I served on active duty for 20 years and spent half of that either in a school or on temporary duty waiting for a school to start.

Nuclear Power School and the follow-on prototype training are challenging. More because of the pace of material than the complexity of the material in my opinion, though some of the material is challenging. I went through the nuclear training pipeline twice, first as an enlisted sailor and then as an officer. Call me masochistic.

In my day about 30% of the enlisted classes did not make it through the training. Most of those not making it though were the ones with the weakest academic preparation in high school. But every enlisted student who really wanted to make it through did pass in my experience. On the officer side, the only students who didn't pass in my experience were the ones who gave up and stopped trying. No idea what the current statistics are.

Most of the attrition was in the theoretical school phase of training. Students who passed and went on to the prototype training rarely failed out in that phase. Prototype training is where students learn to actually operate a naval nuclear propulsion plant.

I’ve always wondered about the ones that go through twice. Is that for ones that went back to college and received a commission? I’m in a private Nuke FB group that have a few. There’s even one guy that was a nuke MM and then went on to be an F18 pilot. I would guess he got out went to college and went back in as an officer.

 

[Texas Proud]

When I was accepted into an officer program and went to college for an engineering degree, I was surprised at how much of the nuclear training helped me in my engineering classes. And, of course, the study habits needed to get through the nuclear training directly applied to college classes.

I have a master's degree in the physical sciences and a second master's degree in business. Neither master's degree was anywhere near the challenge of the nuclear officer training.

This is what I was looking at doing when I was 18...

But when I talked to the recruiting guy he could not say my chances of getting to go to college for a degree was... my 'path' was nuclear school... IIRC 2 years... get to go to college for 4 more years... and then serve 4 years in the Navy... so a total of 10 years... as an 18 YO I did not want to sign a document that had me doing stuff for the next 10 years... AND... if you are in 10 years already you might as well stay to 20 for the pension!!!

BTW, a friend did sign up for nuclear school... he said 70% of his class failed... including him... he did spend his time in the Navy on a fast attack sub doing nuclear stuff... not sure what... after Nave worked at a power plant but it was not nuclear... made really good money there...

 

[Lewis Clark]

I’ve always wondered about the ones that go through twice. Is that for ones that went back to college and received a commission?

Yes, that was my path. Didn't plan it but it worked out that way.

When I went to college for my bachelor's degree I was still on active duty. It was a very good deal for a lot of us.

 

[Nords]

I'm still a mom- would love to hear any advice you are willing to share. We're not a military family and don't know what to expect- though we have been told not to send anything but letters till after bootcamp. Any words of advice on how to be supportive parents, what to expect, encouraging experiences, etc. would be really appreciated- Thanks!

If you haven't already read it, @ugeauxgirl, I recommend a library copy of "You're On Your Own (but I'm here if you need me)."

In this case "here if you need me" is more emotional & cheerleading support than being physically present.

When you see a new recruit after graduation, they're... different. Mostly in a good way, but maybe not (by your parental standards) all good. Hopefully those differences don't lead to discord in your house, and that book has the following helpful analogy:
"Imagine that you’re hosting an exchange student at your house for a semester. They’re from a completely foreign culture in Africa or Asia. They wear strange clothes, have a nose ring and tattoos, and maintain an unusual hairstyle. They eat wildly different foods that you’d never considered keeping in the house, let alone eating. They speak English but use a different vocabulary. They share the same basic human values as you but have totally different opinions on music, fashion, life, work, entertainment, living standards, and relationships.
As a host, you’d love spending your time getting to know this person. They might be fascinating or mildly repellent, but you’d be interested in them. You’d like to share their world. You’d want to understand their culture, their background, and their lifestyle. The experience would be unforgettable, and you’d be eager to repeat it with another exchange student.
Now imagine that the exchange student was actually your 18-year-old. A paragraph ago you thought that this exchange student was “fascinating” and someone you wanted to get to know better. Now that they're actually your offspring, suddenly there’s a problem?"

The analogy is in the chapter titled “You Pierced WHAT?!?”

While you're at the library, I recommend that you browse any of the "Sub Tales" or "Silent Service Remembers" books by Charles & Frank Hood:

Charles G. Hood: books, biography, latest update

Follow Charles G. Hood and explore their bibliography from Amazon's Charles G. Hood Author Page.

www.amazon.com

Of course your son should read them too, but I suspect he'd want to wait until he finishes recruit training. I wish I'd read them before I joined the submarine force 40 years ago.

On the financial side, he's going to be auto-enrolled in the Roth Thrift Savings Plan (the federal govt analog of a 401(k)) at an automatic 5% of base pay, and the contributions will automatically go into a target-date fund. All of these auto-defaults are difficult to change (yet hypothetically changeable) and essentially impossible to deal with during recruit training.

There are lots of other financial options (like Roth IRAs), and the TSP's target-date funds have their own issues. Yet all of those defaults are good enough until he graduates from recruit training (or even Nuclear Power School) and has some spare time to think about his investing.

 

[ugeauxgirl]

If you haven't already read it, @ugeauxgirl, I recommend a library copy of "You're On Your Own (but I'm here if you need me)."

In this case "here if you need me" is more emotional & cheerleading support than being physically present.

When you see a new recruit after graduation, they're... different. Mostly in a good way, but maybe not (by your parental standards) all good. Hopefully those differences don't lead to discord in your house, and that book has the following helpful analogy:
"Imagine that you’re hosting an exchange student at your house for a semester. They’re from a completely foreign culture in Africa or Asia. They wear strange clothes, have a nose ring and tattoos, and maintain an unusual hairstyle. They eat wildly different foods that you’d never considered keeping in the house, let alone eating. They speak English but use a different vocabulary. They share the same basic human values as you but have totally different opinions on music, fashion, life, work, entertainment, living standards, and relationships.
As a host, you’d love spending your time getting to know this person. They might be fascinating or mildly repellent, but you’d be interested in them. You’d like to share their world. You’d want to understand their culture, their background, and their lifestyle. The experience would be unforgettable, and you’d be eager to repeat it with another exchange student.
Now imagine that the exchange student was actually your 18-year-old. A paragraph ago you thought that this exchange student was “fascinating” and someone you wanted to get to know better. Now that they're actually your offspring, suddenly there’s a problem?"

The analogy is in the chapter titled “You Pierced WHAT?!?”

While you're at the library, I recommend that you browse any of the "Sub Tales" or "Silent Service Remembers" books by Charles & Frank Hood:

Charles G. Hood: books, biography, latest update

Follow Charles G. Hood and explore their bibliography from Amazon's Charles G. Hood Author Page.

www.amazon.com

Of course your son should read them too, but I suspect he'd want to wait until he finishes recruit training. I wish I'd read them before I joined the submarine force 40 years ago.

On the financial side, he's going to be auto-enrolled in the Roth Thrift Savings Plan (the federal govt analog of a 401(k)) at an automatic 5% of base pay, and the contributions will automatically go into a target-date fund. All of these auto-defaults are difficult to change (yet hypothetically changeable) and essentially impossible to deal with during recruit training.

There are lots of other financial options (like Roth IRAs), and the TSP's target-date funds have their own issues. Yet all of those defaults are good enough until he graduates from recruit training (or even Nuclear Power School) and has some spare time to think about his investing.

Thanks- I will look up those books. I am just a worried mom. It was easier to send him off to college where i knew he'd be happy than to send him to boot camp where I'm pretty sure he's not. I know this will be good for him, but...

I'm a retired CFP, so we talked about investing his bonus and part of his pay. It's good to know that it defaults to investing in a roth even if it isn't much. I'll try to remind him to change his options. Thanks for the info!

 

[Nords]

Thanks- I will look up those books. I am just a worried mom. It was easier to send him off to college where i knew he'd be happy than to send him to boot camp where I'm pretty sure he's not. I know this will be good for him, but...

If he’s interested in college now, then as he works through his enlistment he’ll become intensely motivated to get his degree or other certifications.

Overall the military is a good place to be… from.

 

[Flieger]

By the way, Go Navy!

Flieger

 

[Winemaker]

I want thank you and your husband for raising a young man that chose to go into the service. And I want to thank him also, for choosing that route. May God watch over all of you.

 

[ugeauxgirl]

I want thank you and your husband for raising a young man that chose to go into the service. And I want to thank him also, for choosing that route. May God watch over all of you.

Thanks. He's an intelligent young man and we think he'll be an asset to the Navy. We're really proud of him. I'll tell him, (I'm already working on a letter) and we appreciate the prayers!

 

[Sanstar]

Air Force brat, Army enlisted at 18 years, served 5 years. DH retired Army colonel, DD West Point grad, DS Marine. What helped me in Basic was the mantra, “basic isn’t the Army..it’s Basic.”

What I learned early on is the military experience is what you make it. Some spent their time, energy and money partying. I took night classes, followed the very clear rules and was promoted from E1-E5 in 3.5 years. Got training in a medical skill that became my lifelong profession and allowed me to retire early with a seven figure 401.

As a veteran, when I use my ID to get discounts and am told, “thank you for your service,” I just smile and say thank you! I got way more out of it than I put in. Including GI bill for BS degree, zero down for first home and no cost health care.

When the going gets tough, remind your DS, it’s not the Navy, it’s Basic and will be in the rear view mirror in just a few weeks.

Hope your DS gets as much, or more out of military service as I did.

 

[Texas Proud]

Thanks. He's an intelligent young man and we think he'll be an asset to the Navy. We're really proud of him. I'll tell him, (I'm already working on a letter) and we appreciate the prayers!

Well, I will state the obvious...

Getting into the Naval academy (heck any of the military) means you are intelligent...

Be proud!!!

 

[Gumby]

...... I took night classes, followed the very clear rules and was promoted from E1-E5 in 3.5 years. Got training in a medical skill that became my lifelong profession and allowed me to retire early with a seven figure 401.....
Hope your DS gets as much, or more out of military service as I did.

I would say that my time in the Navy set the stage for most if not all of my success in life. I went through Plebe year at USNA rather than boot camp, but the process was the same. The first message to me was "Your mother loves you and thinks you're special. We don't. So shut up and get back in line with everyone else". That was pretty impactful for an 18 year old hot shot (or so I thought). You can never be a good leader if you don't learn some humility and learn to be a follower first.

The second thing that was good for an 18 year old was that they told me exactly what to do, exactly how to do it and exactly when it needed to be done. And they told me that the better I adhered to those directions, the more successful I would be. I didn't need to guess what I should do, where I should concentrate my energies, or who I should spend my time with to be successful. All I needed to do was exactly what they said. And, as it turned out, I was good at that.

Over time, they developed me to the point where I could act without direction. I could see for myself what needed to be done, how to do it and when. And, eventually, to the point where I would take the initiative to get it it done, as needed and when needed. Still later, I developed to the point where I could lead others to realize what was needed and get it done, without directing their every move.

It was a process, but when I left the Navy, I was ready for the rest of life. Nothing about law school or the practice of law fazed me, because I had already faced the toughest tests of my life and made it through. I am grateful for that experience.

 

[friar1610]

I joined the Naval Reserve while in college. Subsequently spent 28 years on active duty. Although i never would have been smart enough for the nuclear power program, I certainly admire and respect those who make it through. Best wishes to your son and his family back home.

 

[mebden]

I was a Naval Postal Clerk for 3 years active and 3 years active reserve 1984 to 1990. For boot camp just send a couple letters but once he's in A school send him packages. I seen those as a great pick up to the guys as most of said oh mommy loves me and if there cookies even better yet as all his buddies really become close when they see those boxes coming from home. Always a letter from home especially when away for long times really is a moral booster for all. Nothing like mail call especially when I had to deliver to the Sub marines anchored out of site and just popped up for their mail. Tell your son its a great experience and someday will look back and say damn them guys on that retirement site my Mom was on definitely nailed it on the head seeing the world.

 

[Redbugdave]

I am an Air Force brat. My father did a 27 year career in the AF. We moved all over the place growing up. I went into the AF myself and into a good field. Did 6 years and got out. Followed on in the same field as a Fed. I have now been retired 10 years. Looking back on my active duty time...it was the best adventure of my life...and I grew up immensely.

 

[street]

I want thank you and your husband for raising a young man that chose to go into the service. And I want to thank him also, for choosing that route. May God watch over all of you.

I echo this also.

 

[CyPlainsDrifter]

We are excited for him and think that the military is going to be good for him, but... I'm still a mom- would love to hear any advice you are willing to share. We're not a military family and don't know what to expect- though we have been told not to send anything but letters till after bootcamp. Any words of advice on how to be supportive parents, what to expect, encouraging experiences, etc. would be really appreciated- Thanks!

I was a new boot-camp Navy Nuke many years ago. I was a bit of a ship without a rudder and after a few years of college, some various jobs, and not really figuring out my path, I enlisted and went through the nuke pipeline. It was the BEST decision of my life,
I did 8 1/2 in the Navy and I was on subs. After the Navy I made a career in commercial nuclear and had a great career and retired a bit early just this year at 61. I have another son who was Navy (non Nuke) and another who is currently a submarine officer and has ambitions to be an admiral someday.
I'm not sure there is any magic formula to be be the perfect parent for a military child. Just stay in touch often. Send letters and care packages (especially when they are deployed), and let them find their way.

 

[BasketCase24]

I served as a Navy Nuke on USS DD Eisenhower as part of the pre-commissioning unit and sea trials team. Navy Nuke school, when I went through it (1975) was very challenging. There were some who excelled at Nuke school and failed at prototype, and some who squeaked through Nuke school and excelled at prototype (and later on a real ship!).
Being assigned to the Ike PCU right after prototype was the best things the Navy did for (to?) me. Getting to see the whole ship built, testing all the equipment, being through sea trials (and meeting Admiral Rickover while on watch) was a real education.
I left after my six years as an E-6 (the youngest on the IKE), and spent my professional career in nuclear power. I always tell people I got much more out of the Navy than the Navy got out of me.

All that to say that IF he gets into the nuclear program, and works hard, it will be an instant resume booster, especially in power generation community. I got offers from steel and aluminum companies, architect engineering companies, etc., in addition to GE (where I started my civilian career). Nukes have a reputation for being quick learners, hard workers, with high standards.

I'll echo those who said they loved getting letters (maybe emails now?). My biggest lesson is boot camp was "just do it the Navy way - it makes your life a lot easier".

Good luck to you and your sailor!

 

[dt123]

Just saw this thread on the weekly email summary. Sorry didn't add to it when it was fresh, but anyway here goes.

My #1 son was a Navy Nuke in the late 2000's. Did his six and got out, and went straight to work at a nuclear power plant. In the Navy he was on a boomer out of Puget Sound. He always said he liked everything about the Navy, except being on patrol for 90+ days at a time. Since that was the basic point of the job, he was OK to muster out when his committment was satisfied.

Re boot camp, we went up to Chicago for his graduation, which was very cool. Took him for pizza in his class A uniform, which he really liked.

Happy to answer any questions, but my info is pretty old at this point.

 

[Ken_Bogart]

My son was a Naval Sub Officer. He went through the OSU ROTC program and earned both Aerospace and Aeronautical engineering degrees. He then attended the navy nuclear power school and was assigned to a new fast attack sub.

I was most fortunate to go on a tiger cruise with my son. Spent 5 days at sea on the sub. The most memorable experience of my life was standing on the conning tower, watching my son in charge of a $2 billion boat as we left the port in Norfolk. I could not have been more proud of him.

The Navy was a fantastic experience for him and he is set for life. He left the Navy after 8 years of service and now works for a defense contractor.

 

[jrendt]

Don't know if being a Navy Nuke is the best job in the Navy, but it worked out well for me. I served on active duty for 20 years and spent half of that either in a school or on temporary duty waiting for a school to start.

Nuclear Power School and the follow-on prototype training are challenging. More because of the pace of material than the complexity of the material in my opinion, though some of the material is challenging. I went through the nuclear training pipeline twice, first as an enlisted sailor and then as an officer. Call me masochistic.

In my day about 30% of the enlisted classes did not make it through the training. Most of those not making it though were the ones with the weakest academic preparation in high school. But every enlisted student who really wanted to make it through did pass in my experience. On the officer side, the only students who didn't pass in my experience were the ones who gave up and stopped trying. No idea what the current statistics are.

Most of the attrition was in the theoretical school phase of training. Students who passed and went on to the prototype training rarely failed out in that phase. Prototype training is where students learn to actually operate a naval nuclear propulsion plant.

The down side if you flunk out is you still have a 6 year enlistment ( I assume it still is 6 years) and you might get sent to an oiler. We had half a dozen MMs and EMs who had flunked out prior to prototype. On the upside you got an "A" school and you go to fleet as a PO3. What surprised me was how many of these guy reinlisted.

 

[Sanbenito1]

Retired Navy here. Don’t expect many letters- he’ll be busy. And he’ll be fine, although I do pity him for being at Great Lakes in winter!! I think the caution about the nuclear program may be about what happens if you flunk, in which case you are considered to have breached your contract and they can assign you whatever job they want which is usually the job nobody else wants (cook, deck hand, etc).

 

[charais]

I am a retired dental hygienist and I had the privilege of serving young men attending C school in Virginia. Your son will get to meet kids from all over the country and from all walks of life. The difficult times will forge some lifetime friendships. He will miss home, and miss his family and will want to know about the ordinary things that happen around town when you write. Encourage him when things are tough. I can tell you all the support staff (admins, medical teams, dental, navy chiefs, etc) will give good advice and guidance as he learns the ropes. They are all pulling for his success and will be pushing him to give his all. God bless him and all the men and women in the US military. For the most part, they are the best of us all.

 

[Texas Proud]

The down side if you flunk out is you still have a 6 year enlistment ( I assume it still is 6 years) and you might get sent to an oiler. We had half a dozen MMs and EMs who had flunked out prior to prototype. On the upside you got an "A" school and you go to fleet as a PO3. What surprised me was how many of these guy reinlisted.

Someone with actual knowledge might come along and blow me out of the water...

But when my friend flunked the first nuke school his tour was shortened... he did not do 6 years..

 

[horfield]

We are excited for him and think that the military is going to be good for him, but... I'm still a mom- would love to hear any advice you are willing to share. We're not a military family and don't know what to expect- though we have been told not to send anything but letters till after bootcamp. Any words of advice on how to be supportive parents, what to expect, encouraging experiences, etc. would be really appreciated- Thanks!

My son entered Navy Boot Camp right when COVID started... so his Boot Camp was not normal. That was when the Navy eventually figured out that isolating energetic young people in white-walled rooms for extended periods is not a great idea... I remember sending him a lot of books from Amazon! He made it though and I am sure your son will too! You are worrying but he will be too busy and the time will pass quickly. For us though, there was no graduation ceremony for the parents, only a photo. He also got the heavy sell on the nuclear program and missiles as well.

However, it seems in our son's case a pandemic was a good start, as the Navy is now paying his way through medical school after some years as a Corpsman with the Marines. He is set on a lifetime career (20 years I think) as a Navy and Marines Doctor, where there is a shortage of medical personnel. And when he goes to civilian life he will be set.