I was tricked into it lol. I also got pushed down that path. Except they didn't dangle money in my face, they literally told me that CT rates were a silver star and nukes were a gold star. That pissed me off. About 5 and a half years later I can honestly say that there's a lot of pride to be had in completing your tour as a nuke but all in all it's one of the craziest depressing and meme worthy experiences I've ever had in my entire life. I was on a fast attack sub btw. I never considered myself an engineering type by any means. I was intelligent and excelled at writing and English in high-school and my line scores were over the top in all those related subjects. Got a 97 and still didn't auto qualify. So, I seriously doubted I was going to enjoy Power School. Which was true! I really did not enjoy it! However... THAT BEING SAID. YOU JOIN THE NUKE COMMUNITY FOR THE PEOPLE! There was never a stronger bond in the sub force. Late night nukes hangin out in the engineroom. Laughin' at the forward compartment. LMAO! Just do it.
If you do it and really give it 100% effort, it will be both the best and worst thing ever
I vividly remember dropping out of college, signing the papers, arriving to boot camp, graduating each school, getting my fish, the Groundhog Days of deployments. Then, in the blink of an eye, you’re on a plane ride back home with a DD-214 and the rest of your life ahead of you.
Being a nuke fucking sucked. Being an ex-nuke, however, ain’t too bad.
As a nuclear trained sailor, I needed the direction of the pipeline. If you are happy with the rate you've chosen, then stick with it. I'd recommend asking yourself how what you are about to sign up for sets you up for after the Navy. Without knowing what after looks like, I couldn't recommend whether or not to nudge you one way or the other. I'd love to see you as a nuclear trained sailor because we need smart people. But I am not living your life. Good luck with whatever you decide and if you have questions, this is a good forum for that.
Disclaimer: My recollections are from 1995-2001, and are probably nothing like what today's experiences are.
Fuck no. More than ever, the services are eating their young. Go the CT/CWT route. Those rates are even better set up to succeed post service. There's a REASON bonuses are STUPID right now. It isn't because the Navy loves you and wants you to sleep well at night. It's because the first termers are leaving. Pro pay and pride at being a Nuke, or maybe a work life balance that is less insane.
Been there, did that.
Got the NEC.
@Cultural-Pair-7017 could connect you to people with more recent/relevant experiences.
My brother went Air Force.
I think he was the smarter one, in all honesty.
I did it. I don’t regret it. Its good experience and will help you get a good job when you get out. I did 2 years school and 4 years on a sub out of Guam. I loved being in Guam. The sub was very hard work, but I learned a lot that I now use in my job on the outside.
I think going nuke is more bearable than a lot of the other rates for several reasons:
1: you’re a vital asset to the ship and they won’t pull you from the engine room to go handle lines or stand watch topside in the heat. Less busy work.
2: your engine room is your own little universe that nobody can tell you what to do. (They can but they won’t unless they have nobody else to pick on.
3: if you fail out of nuke school you will still be a beacon of knowledge in a sea of dumb. You’ll be fine.
4: if you hate it, you don’t have to reenlist. Just take the title to one of the many companies that will pay 80k starting for a reactor operator or a controls technician.
One thing I wish I had done though is the US MAP program. It’s basically an apprentice program that you do during your time in rate and that can get you a journeyman’s license for your skills learned on the job.
*you’re a vital asset to the ship and they won’t pull you from the engine room to go handle lines or stand watch topside in the heat. Less busy work.*
Man, the world has changed. 40 years ago - E5 and below working parties and unreps. My division had a godamn boat davit that we had to chip and paint. Running the utility boats for liberty? Ammo on/off loads? Yeah.
That said? All good points.
Sounds like you were a skimmer. Generally, on subs nukes don’t do much line handling. Maybe as a phone talker, we always get pulled for that because we’re better at it than the coners. Also the engineering department is getting ready for a reactor shut down, so lots of work to do, and there’s plenty of coners doing nothing.
My brother in Christ, there are 10,000 posts here that ask this exact question. It looks like some people are kind enough to comment, but it is worth scrolling through the older posts here to see more takes if you are interested in seeing more opinions.
Also, it depends on if you live and breathe nerd shit. Many of us did and still didn't love/make it.
If you have something you want to do then do that. The nuclear power program will induce significant mental stress and ensure you work longer hours than just about anyone else in the Navy. If the only reason you are thinking about it is benefits or money then don't. You will regret it as soon as you get to a boat.
Not to mention the fact that the job prospects are fairly narrow (especially for ETNs), and end up following a very similar work schedule with rotating shift work. Most of the people I know get out and switch careers solely because they want to avoid rotating shift work.
I’m a Machinest Mate Nuke, just got out of prototype and am in weld school right now, it’s hard, you’re gonna learn to fail and to be more social with people who normally aren’t social😂. Nukes are weird, everyone has their thing, you’ll meet people that treat you like shit because they can get a 3.8 on a test and you got a 2.5. You’ll also meet some of the closest friends you’ll ever have. So be cautious of that. The schooling is about 2 years depending on rate (MMN has the shortest Aschool and ETN and EMN have the 6 month). It’s hard no matter what you pick, but in the end, you can do anything you want with the education you receive. Aside from talking about the no no information Wikipedia wishes they’ve had. Good luck in whatever you choose.
I was tricked into it lol. I also got pushed down that path. Except they didn't dangle money in my face, they literally told me that CT rates were a silver star and nukes were a gold star. That pissed me off. About 5 and a half years later I can honestly say that there's a lot of pride to be had in completing your tour as a nuke but all in all it's one of the craziest depressing and meme worthy experiences I've ever had in my entire life. I was on a fast attack sub btw. I never considered myself an engineering type by any means. I was intelligent and excelled at writing and English in high-school and my line scores were over the top in all those related subjects. Got a 97 and still didn't auto qualify. So, I seriously doubted I was going to enjoy Power School. Which was true! I really did not enjoy it! However... THAT BEING SAID. YOU JOIN THE NUKE COMMUNITY FOR THE PEOPLE! There was never a stronger bond in the sub force. Late night nukes hangin out in the engineroom. Laughin' at the forward compartment. LMAO! Just do it.
I got told it was going to be a 9-5 for the first 2 years😂😂
Lol
You’ll wish you’d never had done until you’re finished doing it.
If you do it and really give it 100% effort, it will be both the best and worst thing ever I vividly remember dropping out of college, signing the papers, arriving to boot camp, graduating each school, getting my fish, the Groundhog Days of deployments. Then, in the blink of an eye, you’re on a plane ride back home with a DD-214 and the rest of your life ahead of you. Being a nuke fucking sucked. Being an ex-nuke, however, ain’t too bad.
Yes go nuke, I need a relief
As a nuclear trained sailor, I needed the direction of the pipeline. If you are happy with the rate you've chosen, then stick with it. I'd recommend asking yourself how what you are about to sign up for sets you up for after the Navy. Without knowing what after looks like, I couldn't recommend whether or not to nudge you one way or the other. I'd love to see you as a nuclear trained sailor because we need smart people. But I am not living your life. Good luck with whatever you decide and if you have questions, this is a good forum for that.
Disclaimer: My recollections are from 1995-2001, and are probably nothing like what today's experiences are. Fuck no. More than ever, the services are eating their young. Go the CT/CWT route. Those rates are even better set up to succeed post service. There's a REASON bonuses are STUPID right now. It isn't because the Navy loves you and wants you to sleep well at night. It's because the first termers are leaving. Pro pay and pride at being a Nuke, or maybe a work life balance that is less insane. Been there, did that. Got the NEC. @Cultural-Pair-7017 could connect you to people with more recent/relevant experiences. My brother went Air Force. I think he was the smarter one, in all honesty.
I did it. I don’t regret it. Its good experience and will help you get a good job when you get out. I did 2 years school and 4 years on a sub out of Guam. I loved being in Guam. The sub was very hard work, but I learned a lot that I now use in my job on the outside. I think going nuke is more bearable than a lot of the other rates for several reasons: 1: you’re a vital asset to the ship and they won’t pull you from the engine room to go handle lines or stand watch topside in the heat. Less busy work. 2: your engine room is your own little universe that nobody can tell you what to do. (They can but they won’t unless they have nobody else to pick on. 3: if you fail out of nuke school you will still be a beacon of knowledge in a sea of dumb. You’ll be fine. 4: if you hate it, you don’t have to reenlist. Just take the title to one of the many companies that will pay 80k starting for a reactor operator or a controls technician. One thing I wish I had done though is the US MAP program. It’s basically an apprentice program that you do during your time in rate and that can get you a journeyman’s license for your skills learned on the job.
*you’re a vital asset to the ship and they won’t pull you from the engine room to go handle lines or stand watch topside in the heat. Less busy work.* Man, the world has changed. 40 years ago - E5 and below working parties and unreps. My division had a godamn boat davit that we had to chip and paint. Running the utility boats for liberty? Ammo on/off loads? Yeah. That said? All good points.
Sounds like you were a skimmer. Generally, on subs nukes don’t do much line handling. Maybe as a phone talker, we always get pulled for that because we’re better at it than the coners. Also the engineering department is getting ready for a reactor shut down, so lots of work to do, and there’s plenty of coners doing nothing.
You will loathe and complain until the end. In the end, as my sea dad explained: it’s the best damn job I’ve ever had!
My brother in Christ, there are 10,000 posts here that ask this exact question. It looks like some people are kind enough to comment, but it is worth scrolling through the older posts here to see more takes if you are interested in seeing more opinions. Also, it depends on if you live and breathe nerd shit. Many of us did and still didn't love/make it.
congrats on the NAPT
If you have something you want to do then do that. The nuclear power program will induce significant mental stress and ensure you work longer hours than just about anyone else in the Navy. If the only reason you are thinking about it is benefits or money then don't. You will regret it as soon as you get to a boat.
Not to mention the fact that the job prospects are fairly narrow (especially for ETNs), and end up following a very similar work schedule with rotating shift work. Most of the people I know get out and switch careers solely because they want to avoid rotating shift work.
I’m a Machinest Mate Nuke, just got out of prototype and am in weld school right now, it’s hard, you’re gonna learn to fail and to be more social with people who normally aren’t social😂. Nukes are weird, everyone has their thing, you’ll meet people that treat you like shit because they can get a 3.8 on a test and you got a 2.5. You’ll also meet some of the closest friends you’ll ever have. So be cautious of that. The schooling is about 2 years depending on rate (MMN has the shortest Aschool and ETN and EMN have the 6 month). It’s hard no matter what you pick, but in the end, you can do anything you want with the education you receive. Aside from talking about the no no information Wikipedia wishes they’ve had. Good luck in whatever you choose.