Process for Becoming a Nuke?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Bill on March 26, 2011 at 5:40pm

Steve,

Your son would be better advised not to leave college, but rather look into the NUPOC program. If he's majoring in physics and math and good at them, he should be able to qualify.  Below is a good link:

http://www.navy.com/careers/nuclear-energy/submarine-warfare-nuclea...

He could also go surface, but this will get you started.

If he gets accepted into NUPOC, the Navy will start paying him. He needs to maintain good grades and pass regular physicals. When he graduates he will go to OCS. From there the next stop is Power School in Goose Creek. The academics are very demanding, particularly the math.

My son started there a few weeks ago. He still has a long way to go.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Best of luck to you and your son.

Bill

Permalink Reply by Frank St Jean Jr on March 27, 2011 at 7:58am

While in general I would agree with the above, your son needs to consider his goals in nuke power. Does he want to get his hands dirty operating and maintaining a running plant, or is he more interested in managing the operation/maintenance of said plant. Officers manage the plant/personnel while it is operated and maintained by enlisted personnel.

Permalink Reply by proud dad Nuke sailor on March 28, 2011 at 9:48am

There are lots of different ways to look at this> I believe the advice you have been given here is good. 

You really ned to consider what your sons goals are and you need to consider that more people that go into the nuke program don't make it thru the nuke program and are reclassified.

My son has said he is loving it, he is getting ready for prototype next, the navy does put a lot of stress on the nukes to see how they will handle the pressure under difficult times. Everyone has a gift we all need to use them. I have seen a lot of positive things come out of my son and I am amused at some of the changes. I have seen my son doing things that I used t o have to struggle to get him to do, but now it is someone these telling him to do these things. When my son was home for the Christmas holidays his grand mother was wanting to have her picture taken with my son in front of the house. My son hesitated before walking into the front yard and simply said that they are not supposed to walk on the grass. he is keep his clothes neat shirt tucked in and hair within regulation.

Lots of maturing happens in basic.

Permalink Reply by old Lt on March 28, 2011 at 6:30pm

Just a note. My son has an associates and another year of engineering under his belt. He is enlisted and starting powerschool. If he wants to go STA21 he has to take updated SAT and or ACT even tho he has a degree and a 4.0 in his ongoing studies towards his BS. Even tho you would think it woundn't be necessary, your son might want to update them. Might be hairy later on.

Permalink Reply by Steve Benjamin on April 13, 2011 at 2:37pm

Thanks for the response.

His recruiter says that, due to the high demand, he is far better joining as an enlisted now, working his way through the ranks and then applying for one of the nuclear officer positions, getting in and then finishing up his degree later (while in the Navy).  I'm not sure this really makes sense.  I mean, he's halfway done with his college degree now and the Navy website makes it look like it's just fine to go straight from college into a nuclear positions such as Sub Officer, Surface Warfare Officer or Naval Reactors Engineer.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this?  Thanks in advance.

Permalink Reply by Bill on April 13, 2011 at 3:55pm

Steve,

The Navy may be having more difficulty filling enlisted spots. I get the impression that a lot of the Navy enlisted specialties require a lot more technical aptitude than, say in the Army. (That isn't to denigrate the Army. My daughter's in the Army National Guard. But it just seems to be a fact that a much higher proportion of Navy enlisted are dealing with very high tech systems compared with Army.) Those slots may be hard for your son's recruiter to fill and it sounds like your son would definitely qualify. It makes it easy for the recruiter to meet his goal by having your son go this route.

Going back to college after having been out for a few years could be tough. Finishing college first may be better for him. The Navy needs to fill officer slots too, but they may have a larger pool of potential candidates. There is a lot to be said for working your way up through the ranks, because of the perspective and experience that brings, but going the college / OCS route is no picnic. If your son pursues NUPOC it will be very competitive.

In any case, the interests of your son and the recruiter may not be perfectly aligned.

Hope this helps.

Bill

 

Permalink Reply by Paul Wainwright on April 14, 2011 at 5:44am

My Son is a 'Nuke' and joined the Navy 2 weeks after his 18th Birthday in July 2005. He is an 'Enlisted' Sailor. Boot Camp in Great Lakes, Illinois, lasted for 8 weeks. He then went to NNPTC (Naval Nuclear Power Training Command) in Goose Creek, SC for his first school for 6 months. He went another 6 months in his next school in Goose Creek. He then went to Prototype School in Ballston Spa, NY, (near Saratoga Springs), for another 6 months. The schooling is tough and very demanding but surely worthwhile if you succeed. The graduation ceremony in Goose Creek is outstanding.

After Ballston Spa, the Navy flew him overseas to get on his ship, the USS Enterprise (CVN-65). He has done very well throughout and continues to do so. He is an EM2(SW), Electricians Mate 2nd Class, (Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist), and recently took the exam to advance to 1st Class. He now works in the Reactor Training Division aboard the Enterprise. He received his ESWS certification, "US Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal" for Professional Acheivement while serving as a Reactor Electrical Maintainence Technician, and 2 Good Conduct awards.

Best of luck to your Son in his future wherever that leads him...  

 

Permalink Reply by John B on April 14, 2011 at 8:03pm

My son is in A school at Goose Creek. He's been there for almost 2 weeks and found out today that he will "class up" on Monday.  So far he has directed traffic at the air show and "monitored" state testing at the high school.  Next week he should get some "schoolin'"

 

Permalink Reply by Chris B. on April 16, 2011 at 7:16am

Your son will go to Goose Creek if he is a Nuke.  Officers go to Power School (@ six months) before going to the fleet vs. @ 22 months for enlisted: A School, Power School, Prototype (SC or NY).  He will go to Power School twice if he is picked up from the enlisted ranks.

 

Your Enlisted Recruiter has a bias.  I would talk to an Officer Recruiter.  Look here for information from current and former Nukes (Officer and Enlisted):  Nukeworker 

There are several options for your son to consider if he wants to become a Nuke Officer:  NUPOC if he wants to finish his degree first.  ECP (Enlisted Commissioning Programs) if he wants to enlist before he gets a degree.  Since your son has college credit, most likely, STA-21 would be his best option if he enlists.  There are no guarantees if he enlists.  ECP's are competitive. 

OCS is for those who have degrees and have never been in the military (Officer Boot Camp).  Enlisted Officer Candidates attend NSI (Naval Science Institute).  Both are in Newport, RI.

My son enlisted out of high school with the goal of becoming a Naval Aviator.  After four years in the Nuke Program, he is now in STA-21.  The are financial aspects to your decisions, so consider carefully.  My son will get his commission with zero college debt.  

I've been in your shoes trying figure it out to best advise my son.  Good luck and feel free to ask for more information.  

 

 

Steve Benjamin said:

Thanks for the response.

His recruiter says that, due to the high demand, he is far better joining as an enlisted now, working his way through the ranks and then applying for one of the nuclear officer positions, getting in and then finishing up his degree later (while in the Navy).  I'm not sure this really makes sense.  I mean, he's halfway done with his college degree now and the Navy website makes it look like it's just fine to go straight from college into a nuclear positions such as Sub Officer, Surface Warfare Officer or Naval Reactors Engineer.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this?  Thanks in advance.

Permalink Reply by Thomas Mazzaccaro on June 28, 2011 at 8:29am

My 18 year old daughter just graduated High School last week and was getting ready to report to Great Lakes on September 6 for an IT job.  Yesterday she passed the Nuke test and is just waiting to be re-classified and get a new reporting date. 

 

She has worked hard to pass the test and can't wait to get through boot camp and on to Nuke School. 

 

We are so proud of her as well all of you must be so proud of your sons and daughters.