Sunday, December 6, 2009

Southern Nuclear



I was going through pictures of this summer and I found one of the only photos my Jaxon has with his new colleagues. These were taken at the time we accepted the position as instructor for Southern Nuclear. Jaxon is now learning how to teach Nuclear Power the civilian way. I thought there was just one way but apparently the Navy likes to do things their own way and jack things up. Here he is (the youngest man ever to do this-I think its awesome/he thinks I'm lame) at the Pinnacle Club (wicked high-end restaurant on the top floor of huge bank) and then at the actual site of Vogtle 1&2. He works for Vogtle 3&4 which haven't even been built yet. They hired 12 guys to go to school to teach power the way they want it taught and then they will be ready when they are hiring for Reactor Operators. Ever since we got here Jaxon has been studying like a crazy person. This school is like the whole 2 years of Nuke school in 6 months. He tests every Friday and has to make a great GPA or we lose our job. Usually, Jaxon does beautifully but we are always holding our breath Thursday night. Last week was the last of those types of tests and now, I believe, they are on to the presentation part of the class. He has to teach his class and instructors on any topic the instructors decide to give him and the fun part is no one has ever done this before. This (Vogtle 3&4) will be the first Nuke Plant to be built in over 30 years in the United States and all the little knobs and switches that you see in the movies are now all being done by huge flat panel touch screen monitors. (sorta like Star Trek) That sucker costs Billions of dollars so these boys are really the pioneers of this new technology in the states. I love that he loves this job, I love that it challenges the heck out of him, even on bad days, because I can see his growth and confidence. We are very lucky and I am happy that after 6 miserable years in the Navy-something paid off!!!

5 comments:

jaesi said...

so is he taking classes as an NLO?
then will instruct it? and eventually operate?

~T~ said...

They may not teach the Navy way, but it sounds like they train their teachers the same way. I'm glad Jaxon likes it!
And how is your business going?

Chelsea said...

Wow, you guys are such grown ups! I think it's exciting to be a grown up and start this stuff, but a little scary too! Congratulations Jaxon!

ME said...

Jaesi, He's going to to teach SRO's. Senior Reactor Operators.
He's an instructor, but will become SRO qualified soon...

jaesi said...

what is the time scale for him qualifications?