Is Navy nuke a good job?

Answer 1

Well like people said it's a cost benifit situation. If you are going to do this job for the money that would be kinda dumb. Yes there are large bonuses and some stipends for working in the field but you end up working lots and lots of hours doing rediculus things. It is one of the hardest jobs in the military not the hardest but its up there. You get the opportunity to join the elite of the nuclear feild and if you do 8 yrs in the Navy you have six years of nuclear experience and get a good jumping off point. I know people that are lazy and worthless and don't work much in this feild but if you have moral and a work ethic you get worked and abused. I don't think the money is worth it. I like my job but not who I work for the job itself isn't the issue it's how you get treated by the higher ups and you are stigmatized by other people in the Navy who for some reason see the dollar signs and don't look at you the same. In the military you are supposed to obey orders but in the nuclear world you need to question everything to ensure a proper operating attitude so you get trained from the start with a conflict of interest.

Answer 2

I didn't have to go to college. I have a great job now because of the training and experience.
Unfortunately, the Navy treats their people like ****, and nukes especially so. If you can handle 6 years constantly missing meals, sleep and other basic human rights based on the competence of your boss, go for it.

The job was both rewarding and frustrating. Here are some sites set up by former nukes on the 'Prise and the Ike. (There aren't many large collectives of sub nukes online, as the crews are much smaller. But you can find submariner stories on these two sites as well.)

http://www.mooj.com/rxdept.htm

http://www.ikebites.com/

GM2, The 100K is the max in bonuses you can recieve over your career. For an additional 2 years (~8 total) a nuke will usually get between 30-40K.

former MM3, USS Enterprise ('99-7/6/05)

Answer 3

The job of a Navy Nuke in of itself is not glamorous. Depending on your rating (i.e. machinist mate, electricians mate, or electronics technician), you'll maintain and operate either mechanical, electrical, or reactor control systems and machinery. Operating the plant was usually uneventful, except for startup and shutdown operations and emergency drills.

When your out to sea, you can expect to work long hours standing watch, performing maintenance, and cleaning. On a surface ship, Nukes typically stand watch for 4 hours and then have an 8 hour reprieve from watchstanding duties before their next 4 hour watch. However, if their 8 hour reprieve overlaps with their division's normal working hours (i.e. usually 7 am - 5pm), they must join others in their division to clean the plant or perform plant maintenance. For example, if you stood watch from 3 am - 7 am, you would have to work from 7 am to 3 pm and then stand watch from 3 pm - 7 pm. Thus, you'll work 16 hour days when your 8 hour reprieve occurs during normal working hours.

You will no doubt learn a lot about pressurized water nuclear power plant operations and have a solid understanding of basic engineering principles. However, the biggest benefit I received from my service as a Navy Nuke was developing the confidence that I can learn anything I set my mind to. While serving 6 years in the Navy, I earned my B.S. degree. Upon being discharged I attended law school. Although law school is generally considered one of the most demanding post graduate programs, I found it to be a lot less demanding than the training I received in Nuclear Power School and Nuclear Prototype.

I'm now a successful patent attorney. But for my experience in the Navy, I probably would've never developed the confidence to pursue a career in the law.

Good luck.

Answer 4

This job pays very well and opens the door to the nuclear power plant industry. I wish I had gotten a high enough score on my asvab but my math skills just weren't good enough. If they had been I would be living on easy street. You would be the ultimate fool not to take that job. In the navy you would serve in the ultra secret world of nuclear reactors and go places no one else gets to go. The only possible down side is that most of the navies reactors are in subs. That is where all the advancement opportunities are.

Answer 5

Yes, it is an extremely good job. By the time you are done with your schooling you will be a Second Class Petty Officer, E5. The enlisment bonuses and re-enlisment bonuses are just about the highest in the Navy.

The Navy's Nuclear schools are considered the hardest in the Navy, I know because all of the students who fail, come to the school that I taught at.

Answer 6

The qualifications are demanding but for a select few, the rewards are unsurpassed. Nuclear power is a challenging field where individuals come together as a team. Making the grade and completing one of the most prestige's schools the military has to offer takes effort, even from the most qualified, but the feeling of making it to the top is unequaled.

Qualified Nuclear sailors have the opportunity to select their own enlistment incentive, the best available to any Navy program If you are up to the challenge, the choice is yours.

The Navy linguist program is just as challenging and rewarding!

Answer 7

Tough school but great job. Can go aboard a sub or any other nuclear vessel. Last I heard nukes were getting $100,000 to reenlist. Montel Williams was a nuc officer aboard a sub.

GMG2 Holloman
U.S.S. Missouri BB - 63
16" 50' Turret 3

Answer 8

That kind of job requires a lot of training and hard work. But I am sure its rewarding.

Navy officers get really good money.

Answer 9

it's one of the toughest and most challenging programs in the military, with one of the highest attrition rates. If you make it through prototype, you are set for life, in or out of the Navy.

Answer 10

great bonus for singing and a very large bonus to resign.