Navy Nukes

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Comment by KS Dad on November 23, 2011 at 6:00pm

Laura: My relative and friends who work in the Nuclear Power Industry say about the same as what Jim said especially about "hiring the best regardless of rate."

One thing I'd add; ex Navy MM's, ET's, EM's, are popular and sometimes exclusive hires in coal fired and natural gas fired electrical generating plants. My source on this is a local utility manager who did a presentation to a local service club here recently.

Comment by Steve Hubbard on November 23, 2011 at 3:11pm

Jim...Thanks to you for your insight and clarification.  And thanks to all who have contributed to this discussion.  As in all walks of life, the hardest working, most outstanding candidates have a better probablity of being assigned their preference of jobs (ratings).  However, the needs of the service will almost always prevail.

My advice to my son (and anyone else that might ask) is...work hard and give your best effort at whatever task you're given and then let the cards fall where they may.

Comment by Jim G. on November 23, 2011 at 2:24pm

As a former MM, and ELT, I would like to help answer some of the questions posed here.  (As well as dispel a rumor or two)

 

First, I have worked in civilian nuclear power for the past 2 decades and will tell you that your sailor's performance and qualifications (rather than their rating) will determine eligibility for future jobs outside the Navy.  We hire the best, regardless of rate, and train them in what they need to know.  In the Navy, only ETs qualify as Reactor Operator.  In civilian nuclear plants, we train all three rates as Reactor Operators.  So, if they work hard, perform well and qualify EWS or PPS they will have a much better chance of hiring on at a civilian power plant.

I also do not believe there are necessarily more job options for ETs than other rates.  As an ELT Machinist's Mate, I am qualified for jobs in maintenance, operations, chemistry and radiation protection.  I also came out with QA experience, and a Diesel maintenance NEC. 

Most ETs work in maintenance (I&C) or Ops.

While there is nothing wrong with speculating about the various rates, the truth is they will get the rate that best suits both their aptitude and the needs of the Navy. 

Almost guaranteed to get MM if they ask for it and, if that is where their interests lie (working with their hands rather than with tiny screwdrivers), then I would recommend it as a first choice!  : )

 

Comment by LalaH on November 22, 2011 at 1:19pm

Mine did the reenlist that they had at the end of Nuke school for an extra 2 years plus at that time a $45k bonus. He got part then and the rest later.  Like the enlistment bonus he got -- 1/2 at the end of BC and 1/2 half-way or towards the end of Nuke school.  With his contract, and at the time he enlisted, he has 2yrs of Navy Reserves to do after he leaves the ship -- active status.  His total time will come up to about 10years by the time he's done, and he was a depper too. :) 

Comment by lsdemme2001 on November 22, 2011 at 11:22am

My son took the reenlistment bonus right around his fourth year.  He has to do another six, but the two years remaining on his original enlistment go away.  So he will have served ten years by the time he completes his commitment.  He is an E-5 and hopefully he will be at least a Chief by the time he gets out.  He is an ET on the Enterprise and has completed one deployment.  Looks like another will be underway early 2012.  Hopefully it will be his last and he will teach at one of the prototype facilities after the next deployment.  That's the plan right now...but needs of the Navy always takes priority.     

Comment by Mike K on November 22, 2011 at 11:21am

My son(an EM) had a similar experience as KS's.  He just returned from his first deployment having been promoted right after they left.  Was offered a bonus but felt with three plus years remaining to wait.  As far as the breakdown of rates, my son said that 20% are ETs, 30% are EMs and 50% are MMs.  As far as retention is concerned he said that it is much harder to keep ETs and MMs than EMs for some reason.

Comment by KS Dad on November 22, 2011 at 11:12am

My son told the Navy that he did not care which of the three specialty's he would be assigned to. They assigned him MM. He was offered a promotion and a bonus on his first deployment while off the coast of Afghanistan. He would have had to sign a contract for an additional 4 years though. He was fresh out of Prototype and turned it down. It was tempting though. $75K (tax free in a combat zone) and immediate promotion to E5. His words to me were; "I joined the Navy to see the world and get a chance to go to college on the GI Bill, and besides I've got a few more deployments ahead of me." We left the conversation at that.

Comment by William in Nashua on November 22, 2011 at 9:13am

My son picked ET and got ET.   Most people pick ET as their first choice, then EM, then MM.  I read somewhere it was close to 75% of them pick ET as their first pick, but only 1 of 5 gets selected to train for ET.

 

Comment by KS Dad on November 21, 2011 at 7:18pm

From the small amount of insight I've gained in the last two years, "Needs of the Navy" is about it. There are fewer ET's than the other two ratings, and more MM's than EM's. The MM's also have two additional specialty schools. ELT's do chemistry and other lab work and emergency welders (assigned to submarines). You can request ELT and/or emergency welder training but again those chosen are per the needs of the Navy. Some Nuke students are asked to remain as trainers for upcoming classes. I know of one local Sailor who spent his time in school as a trainer at Ballston Spa and never saw a ship until his contract expired in year 6. According to his mom he liked the assignment.

Comment by Steve Hubbard on November 20, 2011 at 10:24am

My son is currently in the DEP and destined for the nucler program after boot camp in June.  He wants an ET rating, but my understanding is that enlisted nuke ratings (ET, MM and EM) are not formally assigned until some point during boot camp.  Can we assuming that ratings assigned are based on the recruit's preferences, test scores and demonstrated abilities...or are ratings assigned based soley on the "Needs of the Navy"?

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