Need help in picking a Naval job!!!?

Question

I'm very soon going to be joining the Navy, and having trouble finding 1st hand information on jobs that are most rewarding, and highest sought once you out.. I took the ASVAB and scored an 88 on it. Im looking into the NUKE field, or possibly medical (more specific X-Ray tech), or even possibly intelligence. I was wondering If i do choose Nuke if there are many opportunities once i'm out, and how much MORE schooling i would need. Also when i spoke of my interest in medical, my recruiter didn't seem as gun-ho compared to Intel, or Nuke.. Any reason for that, or was it just the fact she came from Intel herself? Any help on this, or any recommendations as far as great jobs in the Navy would be fantastic!

Answer 1

I'm a nuclear electrician, went submarines and can tell you that There are great job opportunities outside the military, but life in the military are very slim. You do not pick the field you are to go into, it is selected for you (MM, EM, ET, ELT). You are only allowed to serve on Carriers or Submarines (nuclear reactors). I've met IT (intelligence field) that have the same advancement as me if not better. EM and MM have a lower advancement rate. ET's make rank by putting their name on the test. Corpsman don't make rank fast usually. IT and Nuc start off as E-3. Nuc recieve E-4 after A-school. Corpsman usually (not always) serve with a Marine unit in the field. Not many females in the Nuc field. Alot of females in the corpsman field, inbetween for IT field. IT field has a large electronics background usually depending on what your specialty is. Nuc always have power plants to work for. MM and ELT usually obtain QA (quality assurance) which is in very high demand since the navy submarine field has the most strict QA (bases for NASA's QA). I guess it really comes down to what job you really want to do, medical, intelligence or engineering. I tell everyone don't pick nuc field, just cause of the way the navy treats you, but it really comes down to you making up your own mind.

Answer 2

From what I hear and read:
"Nuke" is a great field to learn in since you can become a nuclear engineer. This would put you on a great career path as an engineer, but you would have to like the field.

Other jobs:
Submariner sounds like a cool job. It's also necessary to our country, but being in a steel tube for 6+ months at a time is generally unappealing to most people.
Medical is a good field. If you're an officer you should be able to get a medical degree eventually, or you could do an essential job as enlisted, Naval Corpsman. It puts you in the action, however, so if you want to be "in the rear with the gear", it may not be your thing.

My advice, talk to former navy personnel and a recruiter about the myriad of job opportunities in the Navy.

Answer 3

In the Nuclear Field you will spend roughly 2 years in a very demanding academic environment and you will be required to pass each phase. If not you will probably end up on a surface ship in a general assignment. So if you choose Nuclear be prepared to really apply yourself. There are civilian jobs available, high paying, in the Nuclear field as Plant Operators, Maintenance Techs, etc. Most Nuclear grads go to Submarines, very demanding duty but very rewarding, usually 6 months patrol, 6 months training etc. The best food, the quickest and best advancements and large $$ reenlistment incentives. There are Nuclear Operators on surface ships, Nuclear Carriers mostly. Do not let your recruiter overpower you. You are the one joining the Navy and it is your future. Choose the field you want and stick to it.
They will give it to you if you qualify. Medical training would also be very appropriate. The want ads are full of jobs. Look at the Seabees also-construction. All vocational fields are represented by the trades (ratings) of the Seabees. Also if you are very physically fit and can swim well consider SEAL, Navy Diving or Underwater Construction (Seabees). That was my forte and I spent over 21 years in U/W Construction.
Hope this helps,
RB Scott CWO4, CEC, USN, (ret) HeO2 Diving Officer

Answer 4

I was on the USS Carl Vinson, first aircraft carrier to arrive in the persian gulf after the attacts in NY September 11, 2001
Proud to have served. Great experience, it has give me good skills to be where I am today when I chose to be an Electrician's mate (EM).
I don't work as an electrician now, but I got some good schooling in troubleshooting and problem solving. Also basic knowledge in electrical circuits so I can fix stuff myself.

I knew a lot of Nuke electricians and the advice I would give you is DO NOT do it! They spent more time that anyone else in the darkest deepest part of the ship.

I was out to sea at one time for 112 days straight, I knew other people in other jobs, and I was thankful for being an electrician it was pretty good compaired to some other things I saw people doing.
Now I'm planted in my house, on the dirt where it belongs. No more floating steel house for me!
Good luck, always proud of those defending the country.


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new 6500 sq ft. house
http://planbcoach.googlepages.com/newhome

Answer 5

HM is full to bursting because everybody and their mother wants HM. you cannot get the C school for X ray tech guaranteed, in fact you may not even be able to ask for it until after you complete your first term. Nuke is a minimum of 2 years, give or take, as such you are required to enlist for 6 years active duty. the failure rate is actually rather high, nearly 50%.

Answer 6

well, i joined as an airman recruit in the Navy,
but the way things worked out i went to the Sea-bees!!!

but you could put you're interest in medical and nuclear together!!!

their is a need for medical trained personnel to watch over people who work around radiation!!

they are called Health Physics or HPs!!!

when i worked in a nuclear power plant replacing the valves and pipes of a shut down reactor these HPs would monitor the dosage of each individual, and monitor the air to make sure there was no air-born radiation in which you would have to work in a full mask and anti-radiation suit!!!

they are very well paid, not that high of technology but necessary!!!

anywhere you work around dangerous doses of radiation with possible exposure to Gamma radiation you have to take a course and qualify and wear a dosimeter and be monitored!!!

Answer 7

The most rewarding job is the job you like the best and picture yourself doing. Dont lose out with a score like that.

Answer 8

Yo get an ASVAD score of 95 and you can have any job you want, the only ones that are given are those understrength.

Answer 9

If one picks "Nukes" then 10 years later one will receive cancer from radiation.