Navy Nukes

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Comment by Steve Kilian on February 11, 2014 at 5:15pm

Thanks for the update! That would be great as I have made it to every Graduation starting with PIR for both my son ((EM) and daughter (CTI).

I will be there for him to take him out for a congratulation dinner, but would love to see him graduate!

Comment by B'sNukemom&dad⚓️MM on February 11, 2014 at 10:10am

Update on prototype grad at GC - another mom posted on FB that her son said they are supposed to have a graduation at the Redbank Club which is just outside the gated area (and she said he said that's IF the investigation and graduation is on track!).

So Steve - maybe you will get to see the ceremony! I hope it all works out for you.

Comment by B'sNukemom&dad⚓️MM on February 10, 2014 at 4:32pm

A little nuke humor! (My son is an MM!)

Comment by B'sNukemom&dad⚓️MM on February 10, 2014 at 4:27pm

Steve - confirming what Randall said about graduation at GC.  I asked several of the mom's and they said the same thing - no ceremony due to it being a restricted area.  That's too bad - I know that they do have a ceremony at BS......It's held at a local community center.

Comment by NavyDads Co-Admin, Gary on February 9, 2014 at 11:49am

Comment by Steve Kilian on February 8, 2014 at 6:59am

Randall, thanks for the info. I thought that was going to be the answer, but thought I would ask anyway. I still look forward to heading to GS for a visit...it will get me away from the Chicago area for a few days, it will be nice to see temps without a minus sign and not to see snow for a few ays. And the chance to visit with my son is not something I want to pas up.

Comment by Randall Nugent on February 7, 2014 at 5:24pm

Steve, I asked my daughter who's a few months behind your son. The answer is that it's not open to the public, since the graduation ceremony is in a restricted area at the prototype building near the moored training ships.

Comment by Steve Kilian on February 7, 2014 at 5:07pm

Found out my son graduates Prototype in GC later this month! Does anyone know if family allowed at graduation? I plan to go down anyway to take him and maybe a couple shipmates out to dinner to celebrate but would like to attend graduation if possible.

Comment by KTR on February 5, 2014 at 4:39pm

Wait, people succumb to temptation?  I want my money back!

Seriously, folks, if you think your kiddo will first encounter cheating in the Navy, you haven't been paying attention.

I would note that the Charleston incident was precipitated by the report of a sailor who resisted temptation.  Sure, it sucks to be good in this world. Welcome to real life.

2Tim3:12 (among many others) has served my son for longer than he's been in the Navy.  A lot longer. Not that it makes either one of us any better.  Just aware.

Comment by Bubblehead on February 5, 2014 at 3:33pm

I served in the 594 fast attack (USS Permit) from 73-77 (enlisted in 71).  My credentials:  I left as EM1(SS), qualified as EWS & COW (rather unusual to qualify on both ends of the boat).  I went back to school and finish my bachelor's and Ph.D. in mechanical engineering.

"Back in the day", I don't remember much of written exams, other than rate advancement.  (They were pretty easy.)  But, we were constantly drilled and tested in our knowledge.  We even tested each other as a game during long watches.  Anyone who didn't know their job got the "sharp end" of the peer pressure stick.  Our lives all depended on everyone knowing their job.  That was proved more than once.  (Try major flooding at test depth.)

So, although I didn't have much in the way of written tests while on board, I was then and now familiar with unreasonable tests.  An unreasonable test is one which tests for an excessive level of knowledge with severe ramifications if the test score is too low.

That condition invites cheating.  Yes, cheating is wrong, but it does happen.  And, it happens more when your buddy or your chief gives you a little help because they get screwed, too, if you don't do well enough on the test.  (Three section watches become port & starboard while you fix your deficiency, and your buddy misses that long weekend with his wife.)

As far as morale & new sailors...  Not only was I a nuke, but my son is currently a nuke on a fast attack.  His morale was generally high when he reported to his boat, but gradually got beaten down by petty B.S.  (I couldn't wait to get out back in '77.) 

The petty stuff seems to be worse now, than then.  Much less trust in the skill/knowledge of the enlisted by the officers.  Much of that is institutional -- he can't flip a switch without explicit permission from an officer.  It's morale-sucking.

The navy is more professional than it used to be, and that's good.  The drug problems are pretty much cured.  The new uniforms suck.  They pay is better.  But, the pettiness is dominant.  It's just bad leadership (I teach leadership courses, so I have a clue).

Even though my son hates the navy, it has done wonders for him.  He is a man rather than a whining youth.  He knows how to work and work hard.  He has skills and confidence, and I hope it carries him to a successful 2nd chance at college.  (It did precisely that for me.)

I hope that all your active duty sons get the good of the navy, and make the decision at reenlistment time that is best for them.

In the meantime, "Submarines once, submarines twice!  Holy jumpin' ..."  (can't finish that here.)

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