Nuke Deppers, Ship Dates, and Stories

[deltarho]

Greetings fellow NukeWorker members. Just wanted to give an update on my A-school progress. We are a bit past halfway done (5 weeks until comp), and I'm doing pretty well thus far. I've managed to stay on 10-1's since we started (our SLPO doesn't believe in vols) with just under a 3.7 g.p.a. I leave a lot of credit to the advice I received here before I started. Studying before I got here would have been a waste of time, dry-erase boards and note cards are key memorization tools, and being on 10-1's doesn't mean that I shouldn't be doing more (I still have to put in 20-25 hours a week). I get out of here on weekends to release (a good movie on Saturday nights usually does the trick) and get in some good PT at least once a day. I think that had I not found this site, I would have come into this with completely the wrong mindset and I would have had a much more difficult time starting out. Thanks again to everyone who consistently helps us nubs. It is appreciated.

-FN imthehoopa

Just to keep your nose pointed in the right direction...I will give you two data points because I do not know if you're EMFN or MMFN. Back when I was at A/school as an instructor (88-91) MMs and EMs with a final A/school average greater than about a 3.45 and 3.33, respectively, made it 100% of the time through NPS (except for non-academic drops). The MM's school was shortest, which gave them less time to get their study routine in control--and it showed at NPS. FYI, ETSNs with a 2.78 A/school average made it through NPS, which made sense given their school was about 6 months long. This is where the 2.8 and skate came from for progressing through NPS (which was a 2.5 and survive when I first started). This was the first weeding out process to keep NPS attrition rate numbers down.

So, don't slack off--you have but only tasted the drippings of nuclear power nectar; it will be forced down your throat with a garden hose at 100 PSI at NPS with a positive displacement pump.

Sure, you could pray for pump failure, but as you will learn about Navy Nuclear Power--every critical system has redundancy. I suggest you do your PMS on your sweat pumps and raise them to 60 Hz prior to entering NPS. On weekends, like you are doing now, bring the sweat pumps down to 15 Hz for recirculation. Don't take them down; you may not get them back up again. Or worse yet, if you try to do a clean and inspect, when you restart the pumps they will run backwards (the old 50/50-90).

[HydroDave63]

So, don't slack off--you have but only tasted the drippings of nuclear power nectar; it will be forced down your throat with a garden hose at 100 PSI at NPS with a positive displacement pump.

Reminds me of the Shellback thingamabob.... but I digress  

On-topic: Don't be lulled by doing quite well the first half of Nuke School, the knowledge curve goes greater than linear in second half!

[deltarho]

Reminds me of the Shellback thingamabob.... but I digress 

On-topic: Don't be lulled by doing quite well the first half of Nuke School, the knowledge curve goes greater than linear in second half!

Next time I will know better than to be eating while I read a post of yours. I had a gag reflex from the memory of the doomiflotchee that you spoke of...thanks for unearthing a long-lost--suppressed--memory.

[kahdgarxi]

Hey folks,

This seemed like a good thread sound off in.

I Depped in on 20090608, shipping out 20091027, and I can't wait. I know it's been said a thousand times on this site, but I really appreciate the time and effort that everyone here spends to share their experiences with those of us who will soon be going through the pipline, and can use all the advice we can get. So, thanks again!

See you all in the fleet!

[ravenuke]

I ship out 20091112 to basic.  I've posted on this forum a few times and got lots of help by everyone on here.  I have become addicted to this site and find myself getting on here almost every day to see what new things people have to say.  This site has scared me, and excited me more than anyone could ever know and I feel very prepared for what my wife and I are about to go through. 

Are there any other married people going to ship out around November or any that will be in SC around February.  I am fully aware that i need to work very hard to make it through this school, but it would be easier for both her and I if she knew someone when we got down there.

Thanks to everyone at this site again, your knowledge and experiences will not be forgotten and will be put to great use.

Just an update.  My ship date has been moved to 20090923, which is next Wednesday.  I just want to thank everyone on this forum for all of the information.  I can't wait to join the ranks.

[F]

How did you get your ship date moved?

I'm guessign its not something I can have control over but I want to leave sooner

[Gamecock]

How did you get your ship date moved?

I'm guessign its not something I can have control over but I want to leave sooner

Tell your recruiter....he will put your name on a list and if an opening pops, you might get a call to leave early.

[Superri]

Tell your recruiter....he will put your name on a list and if an opening pops, you might get a call to leave early.

That's what I did. I was scheduled to leave in February, but I talked to my recruiter and arranged to take an Initial Fitness Assessment and fill out some light paperwork. Recruiter submitted my paperwork and told me a spot may or may not be available, depends on the NEEDS OF THE NAVY. A while later, the recruiter called me and told me there was an opening for October, so now I'm leaving early. Now I'm freaking out and getting myself prepared.

[imthehoopa]

Here's my final A-school update. We took our comp on Monday and I scored 3.67. It was much easier than I anticipated, but our whole class put in a lot of hours the weeks before and over the weekend. Everyone who took it passed with only one subject failure. We only had one person not take it because they had an academic board for the last test before comp. I finished up with a 3.7 overall and our class had a 3.2. We graduate on Friday, go on leave and then come back to T-Track. Power school class up is November 17th, but we've heard talk of getting pushed back to January. We'll know soon enough.

-FN (for two more days) imthehoopa

[JustinHEMI05]

Congratulations! Thanks for the update!

Justin

[KUrunner]

Are there any other married people going to ship out around November or any that will be in SC around February.  I am fully aware that i need to work very hard to make it through this school, but it would be easier for both her and I if she knew someone when we got down there.

Just an update.  My ship date has been moved to 20090923, which is next Wednesday.  I just want to thank everyone on this forum for all of the information.  I can't wait to join the ranks.

I realize that you are still in boot camp right now, but when you get out, feel free to send me a PM.  I've been through the program as a nuke and now I'm going through the program as a Navy wife and I'll be here at least until August.  Also, they will have a spouse orientation available when your wife gets here.  They'll take her around base showing her NNPTC, Navy Relief, etc. and give her briefs about Tricare and money management.  Plus, it's a good way to meet other wives. 

[yota]

I'm in the DEP waiting on my ship date of April 6th, 2010 even though I DEPed back in June 2009. It amazes me that some of you DEPed so close to the same time as I did and got to leave so soon. Color me green with envy. I'm ready to go! Lol

[KUrunner]

I went to MEPS on Dec 20 and I had the option of shipping out on August 18 or December 22.  I left for boot camp two days after signing my papers.   

[yota]

I went to MEPS on Dec 20 and I had the option of shipping out on August 18 or December 22.  I left for boot camp two days after signing my papers.   

And to think, I was almost starting to like you after your post in my other thread...

Methinks I might need to have a pow-wow with Chief to stress again to him, and the Navy, how bad i want to leave! I know about the whole "needs of the Navy thing" but I'm still a selfish civilian!

[Golly Orby]

Yota:  There could be an opening before your ship date.  If you let your recruiter know that you'd like to leave as soon as possible, he could put you in to replace any DEP recruit in the region that gets cold feet and leaves a vacant spot.  It may be more technical than this, but in DEP I was offered to ship to boot camp in August when my real ship out date was in December.  I was told this was because one of the other nukes backed out.

Imthehoopa:  Congratulations on graduating!  Also, you got exactly the same GPA I did in A school--kinda creepy.  Keep the same study habits in Power School and you shouldn't have much to be afraid of.

[yota]

Yota:  There could be an opening before your ship date.  If you let your recruiter know that you'd like to leave as soon as possible, he could put you in to replace any DEP recruit in the region that gets cold feet and leaves a vacant spot.  It may be more technical than this, but in DEP I was offered to ship to boot camp in August when my real ship out date was in December.  I was told this was because one of the other nukes backed out.

My entire CoC is well aware of my desire to leave early if possible. So far, a spot has not come available but I keep waiting. Thanks for the heads up though.

[surfinobx]

i ship out in 5 days, november 18th to be exact, and i depped in on march 26th. i can hear the clock ticking away....

[JustinHEMI05]

Good luck!

[Jechtm]

its amazing to see the similarities I have with all these DEPr's, my recruiter gave me a few chances to go in early but I have some responsibilities at home tat need to be done. But hey, only 17 days for me!

[antwon510]

Hello all,

I'm currently a DEPer enlisted as a NUKE leaving Feb 2009:

This site is extremely informative and helpful. Thank you to those who created it and share their knowledge on this site, it has certainly answered a lot of questions and calmed a lot of nerves.

However, i sometimes have a little trouble understanding some of the answers because of my unfamiliarity with the acronyms used.

From reading the forums i can tell the moderators of the site really dislike repetitive questions . So, i hate to ask, but where can i find a list of definitions to all these different acronyms?

I searched and i found this link:

http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,12646.0.html -this is the list of terms that certainly comes in handy here.

but when i click on it, a page comes up that says "The topic or board you are looking for appears to be either missing or off limits to you."

[Nuclear NASCAR]

Hello all,

I'm currently a DEPer enlisted as a NUKE leaving Feb 2009:

This site is extremely informative and helpful. Thank you to those who created it and share their knowledge on this site, it has certainly answered a lot of questions and calmed a lot of nerves.

However, i sometimes have a little trouble understanding some of the answers because of my unfamiliarity with the acronyms used.

From reading the forums i can tell the moderators of the site really dislike repetitive questions . So, i hate to ask, but where can i find a list of definitions to all these different acronyms?

I searched and i found this link:

but when i click on it, a page comes up that says "The topic or board you are looking for appears to be either missing or off limits to you."

I didn't realize that this topic had been moved but I'll get it restored to the Navy forums later today.  There is a ton of useful info into the acronyms that will become second nature to you in the coming years.  Thanks for pointing this out.

More importantly, Welcome to Nukeworker & Thank You for your future service.

Tom

Edit: The topic has been restored and the link should work for you now.  Thanks again for letting us know and I hope it helps.

[AugustEntry]

I Ship
20100816

And , I am pretty much doing nothing right now except working out and playing banjo. I am attempting to get a job ,but that is hard due to the economy ,and I told the recruiter to ship ASAP. I got my nuke rate easy the only thing is I don't know I do not feel very strong in math ,and I don't even know if I can do basic algebra still what would yall have me to do to prepare for the math in NUKE? Should I just you know wait till that comes or what?

Thanks,


Also do you have to do PUSH ups for the recruiters ? Because you know your a civ still?

thanks,

[flatlander86]

AugustEntry,

Nuke math isn't as hard as people make it out to be. If you did well enough on the ASVAB to be accepted, you probably have the ability. It wouldn't be a bad idea to brush up on your algebra, and a basic review of trig (and I mean BASIC - knowing SOHCAHTOA should suffice). If you're an MM, I don't think you'll use any trig after you finish your A-school math class - until you get to Power School, that is. If you're an EM or ET, you'll be using it more, since it applies in electrical theory. The thing people have trouble with in Nuke school math is the fact that the Navy takes basic concepts and overcomplicates them to a ridiculous extent, which will never again be applicable during your training. One simple mistake will give you an answer along the lines of "x = 1/2y + 22z/3ps - 3t/2r" when the actual answer is "x = 2". The only thing you can do is develop your attention to detail and your ability to keep your composure & think clearly during a timed exam.

As far as doing push-ups for your recruiters, I'm not sure if you have to or not. However, one thing you'll learn in the Navy is that you shouldn't pull technicalities on your seniors to try and get out of something. If you were to tell your recruiter that he can't make you do anything, you'd better pray he doesn't know or get into contact with your RDC once you go to boot camp. You would quickly realize that a few push-ups with your recruiter would be a comfortable alternative to the humiliation that would come along with constantly being singled out and beaten down in front of 80 recruits for 2 months.

As long as you stay motivated and are willing to put in the required effort, you'll make it through the training. If I were you, I would focus more on learning the things you'll need to know in boot camp. Transitioning from civilian life to boot camp is the hardest transition you'll go through, and if you go into it already knowing what you need to know, it will make it a lot easier for you. Learn the Sailor's Creed, 11 General Orders, Rank/Rate insignia, and practice doing facing movements & marching. That will give you a head start on 95% of your division. Also, there are books you can buy that teach you how to fold your clothes, make your rack, etc. Showing up to boot camp knowing all these things will probably get you extra (unwanted, although good) attention from your RDC's, but they'll like you, and they'll realize they don't need to micromanage you as much as everyone else. That little bit of slack goes a long way.

Hope this helps. Good luck to you!

[My Moratorium]

Hi everyone,

   I've mostly been a lurker, but after reading many of imthehoopa's posts it inspired me to post updates of my own progress and preparation through the unclear pipeline. I mean nuclear.

   I've been in the Delayed Entry Program since the summer of '09. My DEP time has mostly been working in retail standing watch for 8 hours daily without break. I'm really good at standing!  I didn't start preparing for the Navy until 3 months ago, going to the YMCA 3 times a week and learning the Navy material. My recruiter gave me a DEP accelerator guide to study from, along with access to educational Navy videos from MyNavySpace.com (It seems like they took down the website a few weeks ago...)

   An additional boot camp resource aside from NukeWorker is bootcamp.navy.mil, under "Recruits" tab they have a recruit trainee guide that covers a lot of stuff about boot camp. Under the "Families" tab they list upcoming graduations. I told my family to bookmark it and check it often in case I can't give them a timely notice about boot camp graduation.

   I'm finally leaving for basic next week, and I'm nervous. But that's a good thing. Last few days I've been packing everything in boxes. Somewhere I read you can bring a pre-paid phone card and an address book for writing letters on Sundays. Following boot camp I will proceed to A-school around Mid/late April. I go directly to jail. Do not pass go.

   As far as Nuke enlisted ratings are concerned, I don't mind being a jock or playing Pokemons, but if I had to make a preference it would be EM>MM>ET. I'm thinking about being a 6 and out, but I don't even know what the Navy is like yet so that might change.

   Hello Nukeworker forums, and perhaps I'll meet some of you through the nuclear pipeline and beyond.

[My Moratorium]

Hello everyone,
    I am staying at the hotel right now. Last day as a DEP recruit. I went to MEPS and leaving tomorrow for basic training. Can't wait!