Navy Nukes

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Comment by Anthony R. on April 23, 2012 at 8:34pm

I was looking for some information on how things go for the Nuclear Power School graduation from anyone who has been to it.  I will be attending the ceremony on May 25th for my son along with several family members.  Please let me know.

Comment by Zazzws on April 22, 2012 at 10:56am

I find that the nukeworkers forum can be a great source of information.

Sometimes the posters can be a bit "crusty" but they have a good grasp of life in the real world.

http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/board,44.0.html

Comment by jeremy mcelroy on April 22, 2012 at 9:09am

Thomas-- I will answer this question since I am currently a nuke.

1) OCS (Officer Candidate Scool)- This is always an option for someone in the Navy be it they meet the age and other requirements. Does not have to be after their 6 years are up, however obviously they will need a bachelors degree in order to be able to do it.

2) Are there good job opportunities out there for ex navy nukes? Sure there are, however don't be under the impression that just because you were a navy nuke you are going to walk into any ol' company you want and expect them to want you and throw you big bucks. Obviously the sector in which they have the greatest chance of landing a job is in the power generation business. There is definitely great chances of them getting a job either at a nuclear power plant or a conventional power plant. i have heard of many people getting jobs elsewhere (sometimes far from power generation and even a lot in other large warehouse/factory jobs as either some sort of QA inspector or as a maintenance supervisor on the gear.)

I have known good handful of people who didn't find it that hard to get a job at a nuclear plant. Some people with 20+ years of experience who walked into a higher level position starting out with 6 figure salaries to people who did 6-8 years and got entry level positions (non-licensed operators) who with the abundance of overtime available can still pull in around 100k a year and continue to work their way up and become licensed one day which is where the big bucks are.

Hell, I have even know people kicked out of the nuke program and the navy, one for duis, that have even been hired into nuke plants. So yeah the chance for your child to get a job after they are out is there, do they want the higher chance by staying in the power generation business? if not then tell them they need to establish themselves financially before they get out and start working on a degree that will help them elsewhere. Especially if they are single when they get out they can go back to living with you parents =D, and use the GI bill to go to college for free and get paid BAH while doing it.

Comment by proud dad Nuke sailor on April 21, 2012 at 2:19pm

I have also talked with frends that went threu the nuke program, I have a frend that is a plant manager for one of the power companys in this state. The nukes do have opertunity after the navy, this manager got out after his enlistment and within one year was makeing over 100k per year was able to put two sons thru college and has retired before the age of 60. He did this with nothing but the education from the navy. It all depends on how your critical thinking works and how badly you want it

Comment by Thomas Mazzaccaro on April 21, 2012 at 1:05pm

Ric - the nuke recruiter told us that other than increased pay and bonuses for re-enlisting there would be an opportunity for OCS if they decide to stay in the Navy after their first 6 years are up. We have also been led to believe that there are many good job opportunities after the Navy if they don't re-enlist. My wife ran into a co-worker this week who was trained and worked as a Navy nuke. He said when he got out he was really upset to find that it was all BS. there were no big jobs waiting for someone with his training and he didn't think that all the training and stress was worth it.

We have been trying to be very positive during all of this so it is hard to hear things like this. What is the truth? Does anyone have any good experiences to share? Is this guy typical or not? We certainly hope that all this is worth it.

Comment by Ric Pallson on April 21, 2012 at 6:21am

Hey mon -- yeah they working their tails off -- that's how it goes.

That's how it goes -- first aboard -- last  ashore. Make it move. Shut the plant down. No excuses ever. 

The training is stressful -- but the deployment is also stressful. Stressful -- and boring -- they are paid to make it as boring as possible == the training helps.

The nuke friends of my kid that I've met are some if the most calm competent " make it work"  "no excuses" people ever.

The training at Power School and proto helps -- even the washouts at Power School seemed real competent.

In the fleet - my kid doing second deploy --

They just make it work.

What they do.

Comment by Ric Pallson on April 21, 2012 at 5:30am

My Sailor got through all the Power School, prototype -- whatever -- been in the fleet a few years. It's real boring. It's really important.

The nukes in the fleet -- their job --totally boring -- totally competent. Extremely highly skilled. They just make the propulsion work. Real skilled - real responsible

They learn how to make the ship move.  "Box of of hot rocks"

Then -- "once a nuke -- always a nuke" 

When they prove their competence -- they are locked in.

Nuke for life. First two re-ups 40-80 k$ bonus. 

After that -- no NAVY options but the nuke.

Can't ever transfer to Decks or anything else.

Locked in -- up or out.

Super-skilled - super-responsible -- totally trustworthy where to go?

Yo no se

Comment by NavyDads Admin (Paul) on April 20, 2012 at 9:15pm

watch your OPSEC....RTC considers BS21 schedules secure information

Comment by mlongst on April 20, 2012 at 9:09pm

My congrats also Ken.  My son goes to Battle stations Monday night. Can't wait for that call so I can relax for a few days.

Comment by jeremy mcelroy on April 20, 2012 at 7:43pm

@john...... i wouldn't go that far lol. he may just be busy and not feel like calling or talking to anyone. i know i felt that way many times.

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