Any tips on making it through all the schooling and training?

[SaltyBash]

I know Nukes are definitely singled out while in Boot Camp, so does anybody have any tips on how to avoid getting the blunt force of that? Also, I've been told that the material covered in A-school/Power School/Prototype is like trying to drink from a fire hose; does anyone have any tips on managing time and covering all the material?

[warehimer33]

I know Nukes are definitely singled out while in Boot Camp, so does anybody have any tips on how to avoid getting the blunt force of that? Also, I've been told that the material covered in A-school/Power School/Prototype is like trying to drink from a fire hose; does anyone have any tips on managing time and covering all the material?

Don't quote me on this but I'm working on getting in the field and my dad is an ex-nuke and he told me that all you have to do in A-school, power, and prototype is just stay in and pay attention in class; like don't go out every night. It really shouldn't be that hard. I just think of it like this: The Navy wouldn't qualify somebody they thought wouldn't make it through the training. Take it one day at a time and stay on top of your work(which they literally make sure you do by having you do it in the classroom because it's classified material). He said A-school is a basic review(stuff you've learned in high school) and then "new" material is taught in Power School. It's then all applied to Prototype, where you work with an actual reactor. "Trying to drink from a fire hose", just lol'd at the library. Just stay focused and determined; that'll get you through the training. You need not worry about boot camp. I've heard from countless sources that it's like a cakewalk or daycare.

[sweetmtn]

My son said that nuke school is all on how you approach it...if you are really good in math, physics and such..A school is a breeze. Power school he found much harder as the formulas they had them use were WAY different than what he was taught. Prototype was hard, but my son was one of those that is a perfectionist...so he graduated 2nd in the class from Prototype. Remember, the wash out rate is VERY HIGH! You are basically being taught 3 years of college level math, physics, calculus and other stuff in 18 months of actual schooling time..3 months less if you get MM rating.
I know many people play it down and recruiters will not tell you this..YES..there ARE suicide attempts and actual suicides at nuke school. My sons best friends room mate committed suicide over one weekend while he was gone. It is very stressful as you really need to study a lot and often..BUT do at least take one day off each weekend to decompress! Get into a really good study group while there and make friends. If you can keep that up with all the other crap that goes on, deal with the stress, study, lack of sleep, standing watch duty, inspections and pass your tests the first time around...you should be ok.
The stress does not stop once you get to your ship...FIVE sailors from my sons ship in his nuke department attempted suicide all in one week when they returned from deployment....it truly is one of the hardest and most stressful jobs in the navy...

[LT Guppy]

I know many people play it down and recruiters will not tell you this..YES..there ARE suicide attempts and actual suicides at nuke school.

While more common in the Nuke field, this happens in the other schools as well. And continues into the "real" navy.

[LSsquillace]

What could push a person to take their own life while in a school? Did meps not catch the fact that they were suicidal?

[stevebw]

What could push a person to take their own life while in a school? Did meps not catch the fact that they were suicidal?

Different people take different amount of stress and it happens in the civilian side as well. The military is no exception as we're "trained" under an intensive amount of stress while striving to work effectively and provide positive results. Those who are not familiar with handling stress may have a harder time coping with it and consequently push the person downwards.

[kforbs126]

Actually lately it's an easy way to get out of the Navy if you threaten to commit suicide. Since my ship got back from deployment in March I wanna say around 7 people have claimed to want to kill themselves. 1 being in my division. They've all been seperated from the Navy. I know the guy in my division got to keep all his GI Bill benefits.

Not saying that people aren't actually stressed and do need help but it seems a trend anymore to get out of things such as deployment or the Navy in general.

[LSsquillace]

Wow, people joined knowing they were doin at least 4 years... Why fake being suicidal? That's just sad

[LT Guppy]

Everyone reacts to stress different. It can be a lot harder than people realize.

[LSsquillace]

Everyone reacts to stress different. It can be a lot harder than people realize.

Yeah good point, just depends on how well you handle it...

[sweetmtn]

I can tell you that the guys on my sons ship actually TRIED and ATTEMPTED suicide, just they were saved in time by the doctors in the ER.
One thing you may not or you may hear, if you ever have to do a drill on a ship looking for someone...it is most likely someone jumped off the ship in the middle of the ocean...that too happened on my sons ship. Never to be found...sad....

[LSsquillace]

I can tell you that the guys on my sons ship actually TRIED and ATTEMPTED suicide, just they were saved in time by the doctors in the ER.
One thing you may not or you may hear, if you ever have to do a drill on a ship looking for someone...it is most likely someone jumped off the ship in the middle of the ocean...that too happened on my sons ship. Never to be found...sad....

What you just say screw this and jump? Man maybe it's hard or me to comprehend because I was never like tht... It's very sad someone would take there own life.

[LT Guppy]

What you just say screw this and jump? Man maybe it's hard or me to comprehend because I was never like tht... It's very sad someone would take there own life.

It happened on my husbands ship too.
Deployment can really mess with your head.
There are Chaplains on board to help people having a rough time (and should be used to their full potential - even if you're not religious), but some people just won't ask for help when they need it.

[LSsquillace]

It happened on my husbands ship too.
Deployment can really mess with your head.
There are Chaplains on board to help people having a rough time (and should be used to their full potential - even if you're not religious), but some people just won't ask for help when they need it.

That's so sad.... To much pride to ask the chaplain?

[LT Guppy]

On the subject of military suicide...

Military One Source is an excellent resource for servicemembers and their families. They offer counseling and other resources. (and resources for other topics, like military moves, talking to kids about deployments, and a number of other things)

http://www.militaryonesource.mil

[sweetmtn]

OK....as far as talking to the chaplain...yes I know a couple of those sailors that attempted suicide DID IN FACT talk to the chaplain...basically they are told to "Man up and get over it", and if you do go talk to a chaplain it is never put in your record..many times NOT a good thing. As those sailors being discharged for their act have no recourse for any type of PTSD as it does not show there was any previous counselling done...just saying! What happens is they have you committed at the navy hospital psych ward for 72 hours observation, then start the discharge while there(which is a less than Honorable). In one case the only reason one sailor was given more time and SOME help, but not enough to really help, was the HM at the hospital just happened to be the same HM that was on their ship and stepped forward to tell the brass that that sailor indeed had been in to see the chaplain several times and even to medical. Just happens all medical records regarding those visits disappeared....

[LSsquillace]

OK....as far as talking to the chaplain...yes I know a couple of those sailors that attempted suicide DID IN FACT talk to the chaplain...basically they are told to "Man up and get over it", and if you do go talk to a chaplain it is never put in your record..many times NOT a good thing. As those sailors being discharged for their act have no recourse for any type of PTSD as it does not show there was any previous counselling done...just saying! What happens is they have you committed at the navy hospital psych ward for 72 hours observation, then start the discharge while there(which is a less than Honorable). In one case the only reason one sailor was given more time and SOME help, but not enough to really help, was the HM at the hospital just happened to be the same HM that was on their ship and stepped forward to tell the brass that that sailor indeed had been in to see the chaplain several times and even to medical. Just happens all medical records regarding those visits disappeared....
That sad and a little scary... Prayers to the families

[prop827]

As far as nuke school goes, if you've made it there the odds are good you have what it takes to make it through. However, that does NOT mean it is easy to do. Nuke school is one of the mentally hardest in the military (not just the Navy, the MILITARY). A-school is like trying to drink from a garden hose with the sprayer attached and on full blast pointed at you, while power school is where that fire hose comes in. Prototype is a lot more hands on work, but it is just as hard as the other schools.

A-school will be one course at a time all focused on your rate (EM, ET, MM), and is similar to the non-nuke A Schools with some extra stuff thrown in related to nuclear power. Power school you will be taking 3 courses at a time and, aside from your in-rate, will deal exclusively with how nuclear power works. Your in-rate will have both nuclear power specific things AND general rate knowledge. You can expect a test every week in A School, and 2 a week in power school.

The key to success is working hard and really studying. Studying is where most nukes have trouble cause most of us could show up to high school classes, not pay attention, not do homework and get A's and B's. Not so in nuke school! Get good study habits, find what works for you and really study!!! Most nukes end up buying small white boards and just doing problems over and over on them until they know what to do, others use flash cards, others study by reading.

As far as academics go, for every hour of class time, you will have 30 minutes of homework in that subject (that's A school and power school standard). If thats not enough practice, you can practice with quizzes and extra homework problems in your books, go to the instructor offices during night duty instructor hours or afternoon duty instructor hours to get extra help with something or do "run time" (practice problems on the boards in the office, the NDI or ADI will guide you as needed), get instructor help during study halls, or whatever else you need. All the instructors have been through the pipeline and will help you with whatever you need; they've been in your shoes. Remember, if you need help or want to do better, help is available!!!

As for suicides, yes, nuke school has them. A lot of them (as far as averages go, way too many). Remember the chaplains are available, and if that doesn't work you can go to medical and they will get you the mental health help you need. I know a few guys who went in A School and Power School and they are still working their way through the program same as if they didn't. Your SLPO is also available for guidance.

Remember, nuke school is stressful and hard work, so when you have some down time, take the time to relax too, it'll work wonders and rejuvenate you for the next day's work. (I said relax, not get obliterated drunk all the time, thats a common mistake also). Be ready to work, you will be in the school house by 7am (a lot are in before 5:30am to study) and you will generally be there until around 8pm (with breaks for lunch and dinner, but still). Its not easy but you can do it if you put your nose to the grind stone.

[SaltyBash]

Thanks a lot, Prop. That was exactly the kind of information I was looking for. How are mandatory study hours distributed?

[prop827]

Mandatory Study Hours are different for A and Power schools. Hours programs are set up as XX-Y, where XX is how many hours per week you are required to complete (weeks run Monday-Sunday) and Y is how many hours per night preceding an academic night you have to do (ie, on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday). So, for example, 15-2's means you have to do at least 2 hours of study after school on the days listed and on sunday when you leave you have to have completed 15 hours total. Which hours program you are on is determined by your SLPO, and is loosely based on your GPA and your study habits. If you fail any exam (less than a 2.5 on a 4.0 scale) you will be on the maximum hours program (A School) or A step below max hours (power school) until you pass another exam in that subject. If you are failing a course you will be on the highest hours program for the school until you are passing the course overall. Again, GPA is the main factor but SLPO's have very wide discretion!!
Sample Hours:
0-0 (called "vol's" or Voluntary)
10-0
10-2
15-2 (You will start here in A School and If you were vols in A School you start here in power school)
20-3 (You start here in Power School)
25-4 (A School or Power School Exam Failure; also Highest SLPO hours in A School)
30-5 (A School requires DOS Permission; Power school 2 failed exams in a row OR currently with a course failing average; Highest SLPO Hours in Power School)
35-5 (Power School ONLY with DOS Permission)
40-5 (Power School ONLY requiring CO's permission)

Of course SLPO's have wide latitude so you could be on 20-0's or 14-3's or whatever they feel like putting you on, above is just the most common.

Also, you have mandatory IA's each week (Instructor Assistance sessions). You are required to go during study time to see an instructor in specified subjects and get help. When the instructor has helped you, they will sign off on an IA Sheet saying you got help. These are also based on GPA in each subject, so you only get IA's in subjects you struggle in. The most you can have in A School is 5 per week or 3 per subject per week in power school, as far as I'm aware.

Also note study hours are from 0500 to 0645 and 1615 to 2400. Also, in power school, Any day preceding an academic test you are required to complete 2 hours no mater your hours program inside of the 1615-2400 block (morning hours don't count).