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

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.

SaltyBash · 11-25-2012, 02:19 PM

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

prop827 · 11-29-2012, 08:13 PM

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).

11-14-2012, 07:40 PM	#2
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.

11-25-2012, 02:19 PM	#3
SaltyBash Newbie Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Saint Pauls, NC Posts: 12 Rep Power: 0	Thanks a lot, Prop. That was exactly the kind of information I was looking for. How are mandatory study hours distributed?

11-29-2012, 08:13 PM	#4
prop827 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 633 Rep Power: 0	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).