Navy Nukes

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Comment by Mike K on November 22, 2011 at 11:21am

My son(an EM) had a similar experience as KS's.  He just returned from his first deployment having been promoted right after they left.  Was offered a bonus but felt with three plus years remaining to wait.  As far as the breakdown of rates, my son said that 20% are ETs, 30% are EMs and 50% are MMs.  As far as retention is concerned he said that it is much harder to keep ETs and MMs than EMs for some reason.

Comment by KS Dad on November 22, 2011 at 11:12am

My son told the Navy that he did not care which of the three specialty's he would be assigned to. They assigned him MM. He was offered a promotion and a bonus on his first deployment while off the coast of Afghanistan. He would have had to sign a contract for an additional 4 years though. He was fresh out of Prototype and turned it down. It was tempting though. $75K (tax free in a combat zone) and immediate promotion to E5. His words to me were; "I joined the Navy to see the world and get a chance to go to college on the GI Bill, and besides I've got a few more deployments ahead of me." We left the conversation at that.

Comment by William in Nashua on November 22, 2011 at 9:13am

My son picked ET and got ET.   Most people pick ET as their first choice, then EM, then MM.  I read somewhere it was close to 75% of them pick ET as their first pick, but only 1 of 5 gets selected to train for ET.

 

Comment by KS Dad on November 21, 2011 at 7:18pm

From the small amount of insight I've gained in the last two years, "Needs of the Navy" is about it. There are fewer ET's than the other two ratings, and more MM's than EM's. The MM's also have two additional specialty schools. ELT's do chemistry and other lab work and emergency welders (assigned to submarines). You can request ELT and/or emergency welder training but again those chosen are per the needs of the Navy. Some Nuke students are asked to remain as trainers for upcoming classes. I know of one local Sailor who spent his time in school as a trainer at Ballston Spa and never saw a ship until his contract expired in year 6. According to his mom he liked the assignment.

Comment by Steve Hubbard on November 20, 2011 at 10:24am

My son is currently in the DEP and destined for the nucler program after boot camp in June.  He wants an ET rating, but my understanding is that enlisted nuke ratings (ET, MM and EM) are not formally assigned until some point during boot camp.  Can we assuming that ratings assigned are based on the recruit's preferences, test scores and demonstrated abilities...or are ratings assigned based soley on the "Needs of the Navy"?

Comment by htsanjose on November 19, 2011 at 9:50pm

Hi TxFritz,

My daughter, a nuke is in her first year aboard the Reagan. I would like to contact you off board to hear about the story. Thank you in advance.

Comment by TxFritz on November 19, 2011 at 9:25pm

KS Dad speaking of cool heads did you hear about what happened recently on the Reagan that involved nukes and cool head thinking? If not contact me off board and I will share with you

Comment by KS Dad on November 19, 2011 at 5:11pm

I agree with about everything Laura said. I'd add that only the training Chiefs really know how much each group is "pushed" mentally, emotionally, etc. The Sailor will in the end operate a nuclear reactor and supervise others who do. There has to be an element of "vetting" each person. Yes, they are still 18-21 yr old kids.  But they are even more than the top 3% (academically) of the Navy they have to be some cool thinking people.

My Sailor hasn't said much about his training except that once he did say that an oral test was conducted by a trainer who stood an inch from him, nose to nose and bellowed out each test question. Saying "I don't know" wasn't going to score points but trying to b***s*** an instructor on a final exam was an even bigger no no.

Anybody that thinks the younger generation is just to soft to make it in this tough world need only talk with some Nuke School graduates. America's next generation is doing fine.

Comment by LalaH on November 19, 2011 at 12:35pm

Also understand that once they hit their ships/subs -- please make sure they check out the websites for the vessels before they get to them. Many have a spot where they can sign up for a sponsor to help them transition.  SIGN UP FOR THE SPONSOR!!!   It will help them transition from school to the reality of the USN much better.  BC will seem like a faraway dream of a happy place at times, depending upon the personalities of those they come in contact with. It is not a sign of weakness, it will help make the transition and adjustment period better.  At Nuke school, they get lots of extra help  to transition to school.  Life in the fleet is a whole new gorilla. :)

Now -- before you comment on the "whining" again.  No, my sailor is not a whiner. But bullying at any level and abuse of power at any level is wrong.  I strongly feel that our nation cannot go into other nations to deal with their bullies -- and that is what they are -- as long as we allow bullies to rule in our own military.  There is a fine line between the "military lifestyle" and being a bully and abusing power.  Every chief and officer who also just rubberstamps the paperwork as it's going by without checking into the matter -- is also aiding the bully.  Get a copy of the movie from the 1940s "Mister Roberts" and you'll understand what I'm talking about.  It's an old WWII Navy movie and a pretty good one.  I'm also a USAF Officer's daughter, so I am fully aware of what is "acceptable" and what is not, whether you're an Officer or Enlisted.  I just want to share some of our experiences with you, so you know what to expect, and how to avoid some of the bumps in the road other sailors have gone through.  Most of the guys my sailor graduated from school with that were in their "running group" went into the USN. They just all got different rates and assignments all over the place. ;)

Comment by LalaH on November 19, 2011 at 12:18pm

That is the sad part. Some do not make it.  Some get side-lined in A school, some Power and still some in Prototype. YET -- understand that they do everything possible to help the sailors make it through.  My son's roommate had trouble with test taking.  The written ones he would bomb, but give him the oral boards and they guy aced them every time.  So with his class they added in them having to do both -- part of their grade was based on written and part on oral.  If they're not keeping up, then comes the extra study times, and they have to sign in for these. There is no blowing it off. They have been chosen for a job that is in the top 3% of the USN.  If they still can't make it, then they get pulled and another job is chosen for them.  From his experience so far, this is the only way a Nuke can change rate.  Others are allowed to transfer jobs and learn new things.  Nukes are not. 

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