Welcome to Andy & Brian's Area 51!

Jim- there are a bunch of resources on the site regarding PIR and advice parents have given. Be sure to check out the PIR- Tips, Hints, and Helps group and there are a bunch of discussions posted as well. It will help make the experience that much easier and help you deal with the crowds and traffic......as far as Great Lakes weather...you're on your own bud!!!!!! LOL Paul

The Nuke field is full of acronyms. You might try: http://mynavyonline.com/viewtopic.php?f=395&t=2377
GC is NNPTC (Naval Nuclear Power Training Command) Goose Creek location of Nuke A school and power school, also location of one of the 2 prototype schools (NPTU Charleston)
The other prototype is in Ballston Spa NY sometimes referred to as BS or NY

Your son is currently at Boot Camp (BC) at Great Lakes (GL) an will graduate (PIR - pass in review). He will then go to NFAS (nuclear field A school) at GC as an EM. ET, or MM (electronics tech, electican's mate or machinist mate). They have different length A schools. Which is your son? Is he a sub(marine) vol(unteer)?

Jake Gallagher has written very informative blogs on BC and on the 3 parts of Nuke school. You can find them at http://www.navyformoms.com/profiles/blog/list?user=1ayrcy8j3dwqm
He has 2 brothers also in the program, one I think is currently in power school.
Well that is a start.
Another good source is http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/board,67.0.html

It seems like I am sending you too lots of other websites, but why recreate what is already written.

Don't hesitate to ask questions here. You are not the only one asking. If is is relevant to a group (or discussion) it is often best to ask the question there as it is frequented by people that are more apt to know the answer or more apt to also need the answer.
The nuke schools are extremely intense - passing is very important to the instructors. The nukes have to work hard and have weird senses of humor - appreciated geeks with short hair.

Being a nuke is probably a long way from a VN hospital corpsman.

We are probably looking forward to one of our last Christmas seasons with our son. He want subs. SSBN (Ballistic Nuke), Ohio Class there is only a 50% chance of him being above water for Christmas in the future. Other sub classes may be better, may be not.

Jim, Welcome Aboard! I found navyformoms in searching for answers to my son's future. I just knew their had to be a site for dads like n4m's but I was wrong. So I started this site so us dads would also have a place to call home. I'm new at this and I hope this site will benefit fathers that come behind us. So jump right in share concerns, join groups, share info, and show off your sailor. I'm so glad to find out their are so many proud navy dads just like myself. I hope this site benefits you and your family throughout your sons journey in the Navy. Thank your sons for their service for me and yours as well. Thanks again for joining us. Sincerely, EG