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

LSsquillace · 11-13-2012, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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....

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 · 11-14-2012, 06:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LSsquillace

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 · 11-14-2012, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guppy2010

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 · 11-14-2012, 08:42 AM

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 · 11-14-2012, 01:27 PM

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 · 11-14-2012, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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....

That sad and a little scary... Prayers to the families

prop827 · 11-14-2012, 07:40 PM

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.

11-14-2012, 08:42 AM	#4
LT Guppy Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 2,858 Rep Power: 0	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

11-14-2012, 01:27 PM	#5
sweetmtn Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: N. CA Posts: 3,792 Rep Power: 0	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....

11-14-2012, 07:40 PM	#7
prop827 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 633 Rep Power: 0	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.