Posted on 03/28/2005 8:32:56 PM PST by justshutupandtakeit
Friday March 18 was a bitterly cold day in Charleston whence I had traveled to the ceremonies attending the graduation of almost 300 new Navy Nuclear Engineers from the Navy Nuclear Power Command Training school. This event was held out doors where a crowd of parents, family and friends watched our sons and daughters received their certificates marking the end of a grueling and intellectually challenging course of study which will enable the men to be assigned to the Submarines and Carriers defending our freedom across the globe. Female graduates will be performing their duties upon the air craft carriers and surface ships.
One of the graduates was my son, Arlen, who also sang in a quartet our National Anthem. His mother would have been brimming with pride as well.
These young sailors raised a great flame of pride, love and hope for the future in my heart and those of others there. Our Navy will be in good hands while our nation produces young citizens like these.
After graduation most transferred to Ballston Spa in New York's beautiful Hudson River Valley where they will be assigned to prototype training working on actual reactors.
Hats off to these sailors.
Arlen scored 4th of 120 for Officer training too. Thanks for your thoughts.
He read the thread last night and knows all about Free Republic's patriotic zeal.
Where to, sir?
That was one of my selling points to him. Thanks for the confirmation.
It is amazing how much of a Navy man I have become.
Check it out my friend.
A well done to your son and the part you played.
How long was the course and what is the committment?
I think our future defense/offense is the Navy.
Power School was a year. Prototype is another six months. Six year committement. You are right.
celebratory ping
Congratulations to Arlen, and to you.
You must be justifiably proud!
Congratulations to your son
My heartiest congratulations, to you and your son! He is one of the top 10% of the Navy. Brings back memories. I hate to reveal my age, but I graduated Nuclear Power School in 1968. Back then, we had 2 schools, one at Bainbridge, MD and one at Mare island, CA. I graduated from Bainbridge, went to prototype in Idaho (S5G). Later, I was an instructor at Mare Island, then at Orlando when the schools were consolidated. I spent 12 enlisted as a Nuke MM (making it all the waya to Chief), then got a commission and became a Submarine Weapons Officer. I served over 27 years total. Being a Nuke was hard work, but rewarding. The education and experience are priceless. Good luck to your son.
My friend had an interview with Rickover in which the Adm's first question was his opinion of the existence and meaning Valhalla.
My friend informed the Adm that he was mistaken in that he graduated from Ohio State, not Valhalla.
Rickover blows a gasket and throws him out his office.
My friend failed his first interview.
true story.
Bubblehead or surface nuke?
bustin' my buttons. No wait that's cause I'm too fat.
LOL!
What a thrill for you; thanks for sharing that story. God bless Arlen.
Thank you for your service Gunner. My late brother, Andy, was career Air Force.
Guess the Admiral wanted those who thought out of the box.
bubblehead
Bubblehead, huh? My condolences. Still, I'm sure he has other, more admirable character traits.
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