Completing the Nuclear Pipeline

The Naval Nuclear Power Program (aka Nuclear Pipeline) consists of three training periods – In-Rate “A” School, Power School, and Prototype Training, and typically takes about 2 years for a Sailor to complete.  It’s the most academically challenging enlisted program in the Armed Forces, and requires an incredible amount of hard work, determination, and perseverance to complete.

Last Friday, about 3 weeks after completing the requirements for qualification in the program, Nicolas graduated from Prototype Training, officially becoming a Qualified Nuclear Mechanical Operator, MMN3.

We were thrilled to be able to attend this final graduation ceremony, held at the Patriots Point Naval Museum in Charleston, SC.

It was a chilly morning in Charleston, as the families made their way onto the WW2 Aircraft Carrier, Yorktown.

The graduating class took their seats in the back of the room,

as we waited for the Official Party to arrive – the Captain, The Command Master Chief, and the civilian Technical Advisor.

 

The ceremony began with one of the National Anthem sung by one of the graduates, followed by the Command Master Chief’s and Captain’s comments to the graduates.

 

I thought Nicolas might be towards the beginning of the group since he was on Alpha crew, but the Navy typically does things in alphabetical order, so we were a little confused when Nicolas showed up first at the side of the stage.

He said he was confused, too!

 

 

 

 

We soon understood why he was there when the XO explained that one student from each crew was selected to receive the Personal Excellence Award for their demonstration of integrity and professionalism throughout their training. 

Nicolas was the recipient for Alpha crew, and we were so proud of him!

 

One of Nicolas’ good friends was another recipient.

 

Following the presentation of the awards, each graduate received their certificate.  I tried to catch pictures of some of Nick’s friends.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was a quick ceremony – only about an hour – and we spent just a little bit of time taking pictures of Nicolas and some of his friends before they said their good-byes.

The majority of the graduates were leaving Charleston to take their assigned places in the fleet, but Nicolas will return to Charleston after Christmas leave to begin his next training session – Engineering Laboratory Technician (ELT), which is a specialty within the Nuclear Machinist Mate rate.

 

It was a wonderful graduation ceremony, and we are so proud of all that Nicolas has accomplished in his first two years in the Navy. 

This was not an easy program for him, but he rose to the challenge and gave it everything he had, always keeping a positive attitude for himself and his shipmates.  This is just the first step in a long and successful career for him!

Rockin’ the River Raisin Battlefield

On our way back into Michigan, we made a pit stop at the Michigan Welcome Center rest area, and noticed some signs for “Rockin’ the River Raisin” the following weekend.

As part of Navy Week in Detroit, there was a special event being held at the River Raisin National Battlefield Park – including demonstrations from the War of 1812, special showings of a documentary on the building of the Navy’s newest battleship, the USS Detroit, and a concert by the Great Lakes Navy Band.

The events went on all day, but the concert wasn’t until 7:30pm.  We were getting quite a bit of rain during the day, so Tom and I waited until about 6pm to go over there. 

 

We walked through a few of the remaining displays and walked along the historical walkway through the battlefield.

During the War of 1812, the Americans fought the British, as well as the Canadians and Indians who fought with them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Navy Band was set up under the pavilion, in order to protect their equipment from possible rain.  We found some seats and waited for the show to start.

 

Once all of the “distinguished guests”, including the crew of the USS Detroit, were seated, some members of the Junior ROTC from one of the local high schools presented the colors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Following colors, the Commander of the USS Detroit talked to the crowd and answered questions about the newest battleship.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then it was time for the concert.

We had a few sprinkles of rain here and there, but the real rain stayed south of us.  The band played a variety of rock, pop and country favorites . . . and they were really good!

This is a different kind of Navy job!

 

This Sailor played the saxophone most of the time,

but he was also the designated singer for the country songs, and he was really good!         

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We really enjoyed the show, and were happy to have stayed dry! 

Back in Charleston for a few days

From Myrtle Beach, we travelled back to the Navy base to get Nicolas back in time to start T-track.  This is the waiting time he’ll have until he starts his next school in early July. 

It won’t be all time off, though!  For the next few weeks he’ll be on the watch billet, which means he’ll be schedule to stand watch somewhere on base for 12 hours, and then off for 24 hours.  After the first few weeks, there will be more classes graduating and joining his class in T track, and then he’ll have more free time.  He’s hoping to get a little camping in on the weekends!

We got back on Monday, and he took his things back to his room, caught up with a few friends who were also back from leave, and then came back to the campground to have dinner with us and watch a movie.

He officially reported back on Tuesday morning, and while he was working we busied ourselves with laundry, grocery shopping and changing the oil in the car.  He was done in the early afternoon, but had to stay on base until 4pm, so he came over to the campground and hung out with us in the afternoon – another benefit of staying at the base campground!

 

This little tree was between our site and the one we were on before our vacation – it smelled SOOO good!

 

 

 

 

Tuesday was my birthday, and Wednesday was Tom’s birthday, so Nicolas was taking us out to dinner.  He’s been hungry for Cracker Barrel, so that’s where we went.

 

We had a very nice dinner . . . Thanks, Nicolas!!!    

When we got back from dinner, Nicolas and Tom changed the oil in the truck, and then he headed home so he could get up in time for his 5am watch duty.  That’s early!!

On Wednesday, I did a little more laundry and made spaghetti and meatballs for Tom’s birthday dinner, and Nicolas joined us when he got off watch.  Another yummy dinner followed by apple pie and ice cream!

After dinner, Nicolas drove us to the recreation area on base.  It’s where they can have picnics or go fishing – they also have hunting areas there, and mountain bike paths through the woods.

It’s a nice area . . . but lots of mosquitos and no-seeums!

Nicolas watched TV with us for awhile, and then home to bed.  He promised to stop by in the morning when he was done with muster, to say goodbye.

 

He arrived just as we were getting hitched up, and leant a hand one last time.

We were really glad that we have the flexibility in our lives to be able to stay on base and spend time with him.

We’re so proud of what he’s doing, and glad we can be here to share his accomplishments with him!

 

We love this guy so much, and after 3 weeks of being back together, it was really hard to say good-bye and drive away!  We had hoped he might get Memorial Day weekend off and be able to come up to the RV-Dreams Rally for a couple days, but it looks like he’s going to be on watch. 

We’ll be back around in the fall to spend time with him again, though!

Until then, bye-bye, Sailor-boy; we miss you!!