Navy Nukes

Comment

Comment by Joe M on June 7, 2014 at 6:05pm

Bob, Troy:   That seems to be the nature of prototype, although starting in Sept and finishing in Oct of following year does seem extraordinarily long.  Are your sailors at GC or BS?

Comment by Bob Brown on June 7, 2014 at 11:07am

Our son, (ET) Eric says he won't be finished till early October...not sure what to think about that. He says he's doing well, but hasn't been able to get necessary quals done because of problem at site...he finished near the top of both A school and NPS (#2 at both)and is sure frustrated it's taking him this long to finish Proto, been at it since September. Not sure if I'm getting the whole story or not...says there have been plant issues.

Comment by Troy Baker on June 7, 2014 at 9:57am

FYI, I am trying to start a group to support sailors (not parents)  Or if your sailors want to support younger nukes, send them this link.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/navynukesailors/

Comment by Troy Baker on June 7, 2014 at 9:55am

Well my son is seeing the end! He is on the weekend off before T-week and the 4 day break.  They were delayed a bit due to problems at prototype this spring, but he needs one more watch signature, and a number of final sign offs before his oral boards.  He was supposed to take his comp yesterday, so he is glad to be almost done with this journey. There are several of them almost done, but the whole group will not be done until July with an August grad date.  He is looking forward to some downtime!  Now we pray he finishes and gets those orders!

Comment by Joe M on June 5, 2014 at 6:19pm

Well I finished up what I wanted to write in the starter post of the "STAR Reenlistment" discussion topic. I added some info on reenlistment bonuses and the unusual way in which they are calculated for Nuke STAR enlistees. Hopefully it will help someone down the road.

I haven't posted much on this two year, one month, and 28 day journey, but I have lurked here and learned a lot. I just wanted to contribute something back. I've been reseaching as much as I can on the subject so I thought it worthwhile to summarize it here.

I hope those with first hand experience will contribute. Actually, if all goes as planned tomorrow, I guess I will have first hand experience (from a parent's point of view at least) as my son is set to graduate prototype and sign his STAR reenlistment contract immediately afterward.

I really thought I'd have more time to discuss this with him because I had read several places that while under prototype command the only students who were approved to STAR were those chosen for "Staff Pickup (SPU)" as they were staying in training command. Apparently that is not the case and he quickly made up his mind when they pitched it. There are pros and cons to the decision, but in the end I do have to remember that it is soley his to make.

I hope you all have the chance to be better prepared when the time comes.

Comment by Joe M on June 4, 2014 at 6:03pm

 B'sNukemom&dad,  Yes, my son graduates prototype at GC this coming Friday along with KenH and mlongst sons.  A little leave and then on to the fleet as a submariner.

Comment by Joe M on June 4, 2014 at 5:30pm

I started a 'Discussion Forum' topic (as opposed to 'Comment Wall' comments) in hopes of capturing information on STAR Re-enlistment for the sake of incoming Navy parents, particularly of Nukes.

If you're not familiar, a discussion topic is much like the comment wall but attempts to focus only on one subject.

If the questions and advice offered are posted only to this group's comment wall, the info will be scattered and difficult to follow as time goes by.

If you have questions or advice on the subject, please consider using it.

You can see the "Discussion Forum" a little higher up on this web page. If the topic of interest is not listed among the most active discussions, click the "View All" link at the lower right of that section of the web page.

Comment by Mike K on June 4, 2014 at 3:50pm

I have to agree with Bubblehead about extending before the sailor gets to their command.  My sailor's experience is very similar.  He seriously considered extending early on, they make it very tempting.  His attitude changed the longer he has been on his boat.  He has less than a year left but decided against extending after a year or so on

his boat.  He is lucky he is married with a very understanding wife(Army brat).  His experience has been great and he wouldn't change it but as he grew in the Navy he realized this was not a career place for him which if you extend too early you do not realize and are stuck.  Also, he was just promoted to EMN1 yet in their wisdom, the Navy will not start the new pay for 6 months.  Just another disappointment.

Comment by Ward Baxter on June 4, 2014 at 3:41pm

Encourage your sailors (or look yourselves) at a site called nukeworker.com. You'll find a lot of information on there about life as a first term nuke. It can be a pretty grim existence until around the end of a first enlistment. I'd echo what Bubblehead says and preach patience to your young nukes.

Comment by Bubblehead on June 4, 2014 at 3:31pm

My son has been in the fleet (fast attack)for over 1.5 years, and has found that he's glad he did not extend prior to getting to the fleet.  His job/environment is vastly different than what he expected.  As it stands now, he'll probably leave after his 6 years are up.

Don't get me wrong -- his time in the navy has been very good for him (growing up, learning to work hard, Hard, HARD & saving money for school when he's out).  It's just that he doesn't have a life.

I'm glad he went in (he needed it), but I don't expect him to stay.  I did the same thing -- 6 years & out, then to college.

Encourage your son see what the job is like before adding time to it.

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