Mother of 2 thinking about joining

[meganr]

I signed up for the Navy back in 2005 but became pregnant right before basic.  After having two kids, I've been thinking of trying again.  I really wanted to be a Nuke first time around and that hasn't changed.  My husband supports me in whatever I want to do.  My children are young, 3 and 20 months.  I'm torn.  Do I want to be without my children now to provide a better life for them later?  Can I succeed with kids?  Will it be harder for a mother of two?  Does anyone know of a mother of small children making it through school? 

[xforcehunter]

I am a Navy Chief.  I work at Navy Nuclear Power Training Command.  Please take my advice and use it to make a sound decision.  You'll be able to get through the schooling just fine. It's what happens after your training that you should be concerned about in regards to you family.  Your family and your marriage will be severely strained when you graduate from Nuke school and go to the fleet.  Nuke school will take you 18 months or so and then you'll go out to sea.  That means that you're oldest child will be starting school shortly after you hit the fleet.  You'll be out to sea and you'll miss that time (a normal sea tour lasts about 4 years).  And your second child will be in school before you get done with your first sea tour.  It's just not worth it if you're just trying to find a job.  Joining the military is a lifestyle change...not a job change.  There are other ways to provide for your family.  If you have an extremely strong family, you'll make it through.  And the Navy will offer tons of opportunity, but it is a long term commitment (6 years minimum) and it's not for everybody.  But, to answer your other questions....

You can still succeed.

It will be more difficult because you have a family.  Nuke school can take up a lot of time, so you'll have to be able to prioritize between your family and the Navy.

I know several mothers who are doing just fine in nuke school.  I also know some moms who are not doing so well.  It all depends on the individual.

Hope this helps.  Feel free to PM me if you have any other questions.  I'm sure that some other people on this forum will have some good advice too.  Good luck!

[G-reg]

*Everything he said*

Very accurate, and very well said - great words of wisdom!

[Harley Rider]

Very accurate, and very well said - great words of wisdom!

Concur with all advice given. Raise your children and seek employment where you can see them everyday. Good luck !!!

[retired nuke]

I got off the road so I could see my children grow up...but I already was established in my career. Being home is (I think) more important when they are youngest. It's a tough call to make, and one that you will have to make for yourself. Best of luck whichever way you go.

[pklohr]

current nuke on uss carl vinson. xforcehunter covered it very well, all depends on the individual while going through the school. I'm not the smartest person so i was spending 20-30hrs a week at the school on top of my normal work day. Some people did the normal work day, and that was it. School you can get through. He was right about when you graduate. But to clarify you wont be gone for 4years straight out to sea, it will be 4years of going out and back in approx. 6months at a time, but world events do occur that can put you out later. Good luck

[justatech]

Do I want to be without my children now to provide a better life for them later? 

While I understand every parents need to provide a better life for their children how will your children's life be better without you in it?
Navy - studying etc will take a great deal of dedicated time on your part which I am sure you will give but at what price? Your children are very young.
I find it admirable that you signed up in 2005 but you became pregnant prior to going in....................... did you subconsciously not want to join at that time and now regret the decisions made and are looking to the past to correct the future?

Children do not care about a "better life" at this age and there are other ways in which to build a better life for your children and be there every day.