Is Navy Nuclear Power School worth it?

Question

Please, only qualified people (Preferably Navy Nukes) answer...I don't need a bunch of random people posting personal uninformed opinions about how they hate the military.

My family doesn't have the money for me to finish college (was an engineering major), and even having good grades scholarships haven’t helped enough (so much for being an officer). I heard about the Navy Nuclear Power School, how you can earn some college credit (but not an actual degree) and apply for the enlisted to commissioning program. I got a 95 on the asvab, so supposedly I will do well in this program.

My question: Is it worth it? Would it be better to enlist in this program than try to finish college? Do people actually get commisioned if they do well?

Answer 1

It was worth it for me. The technical training is very much on a college level. I don't know the curriculum has changed much since I attended NPS. The six months of classroom training in Orlando followed by six months of practical training at a Navy nuclear power plant training facility was extremely challenging.

I did not go into the civilian nuclear power field after my six year enlistment, but the skills I learned were and certainly still are in demand. If you plan a career in engineering, the experience is invaluable.

Quite a few enlisted "nukes" I know went on to apply for and receive NROTC scholarships.

The only real down side is the that you will probably spend a lot of time at sea. The chances of getting assignments with a minimum amount of sea time is probably still pretty slim. Having said that, seven strategic deterrent patrols didn't kill me, but I do feel like I earned my hazardous duty pay.

Answer 2

It could be well worth it for you.

A few years ago, I was taking a summer course in engineering and found out there were some nukes in the class. I eventually became pretty good friends with them.

These guys were in a commissioning program. They went in enlisted, did about 4 years active reactor operators. Then they got selected for the commissioning program.
What does that entail? 4 years E-5 pay, free tuition, BAH, and everything else active duty gets while you learn nuclear engineering. When you get your degree, you become a nuke officer for 6 years or so. You aren't even with the ROTC pukes. You just have to report to the ROTC CO once a week. Not only that, but nuke officers are in such high demand that you will get incentive pay. It is one of the most highly paid jobs in the military. Then when you get out, power companies will be tripping over each other to beg you work for them. BIG money in that.

I don't know how far along you are in school. If you are almost done, I would say stick it out and join as an officer. If you just have a few college credits, it may help you in getting selected to the commissioning program after you enlist. Even if you don't get commissioned, its very good training and you could still get an excellent job.

Hope youlike subs. LOL

Answer 3

I dont know if anyone has already told you this but I have some instructors here in Power school, that were in college and the navy payed them at an E-6 pay while they continued schooling until they got there degree, then had them come instruct at NNPTC, South Carolina for 4 years as a commisioned officer. which the pay is alot higher than enlisted. Which in the end, you get to finish your degree, where the navy pays for it, then you also have that you spent time in the military as an officer, and all you will be doing is teaching, no going out to sea. You should go talk to a recruiter about that.

Answer 4

Naval Nuclear Power School

Answer 5

I'm just a freaking coner (Forward guy on a submarine), but I'll add my two sense.
Yes you can get a commission even being a F*cking Nuke(lol, If you go to subs, get used to that term). It is worth it, if you want it to. I have known many Submarine Officers who were prior enlisted, and several where nukes. Some of the best officers I have had were prior nukes. The Engineer on my boat, who is going to be an XO some day was. I tell you what he is one of the BEST Officers I have ever come across. The benifits of being in the program will payoff in the civilian world even if you do go Officer. In addition to the Nuclear Reactor training you will get, you will get many other things on the boat that are big, like leadership, QAI, managment, and so on. If you want it to be worth it, it will be. But it is up to you. If you want it to be a good descission, it will be. I mean that by, you finish a tough program and succeed in the job field, it is worth it in the end.
R/
STS1/SS Active

Answer 6

2 of our good friends are Nukes. One was an E6, did his 5 years on submarines, so he got Nuke, Sub & Sea Pay, then got a big reenlistment bonus when he decided to stay in. As it turns out it was a great decision because he was able to finish his degree while on Shore Duty, got accepted to OCS and is now an OE-3 (higher pay than an O-3 because he is prior enlisted). Our other friend got out 2 years ago, went to school to finish his degree using the GI Bill and just got hired by a Nuke Plant. So they are really happy.

The only time you would get a commission like our friend did would be if you apply for it after completing your degree or being accepted in the Seaman to Admiral Program. They will not just give it to you because you do well. Lots of people are in the program and not everyone gets accepted.

Answer 7

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Is Navy Nuclear Power School worth it?
Please, only qualified people (Preferably Navy Nukes) answer...I don't need a bunch of random people posting personal uninformed opinions about how they hate the military.

My family doesn't have the money for me to finish college (was an engineering major), and even having good grades...

Answer 8

It is a tough program to complete, but it would be beneficial for you later when you get out or even if you stay in the Navy. I went into semiconductor industry in field service engineering and made more money than I could ever dream of. I think having the U.S. Navy Nuclear Power Program on my resume gets more attention than my university degrees.

Answer 9

navy nuclear power school worth

Answer 10

Very well worth it. Its a hard life while you are in. In fact it may just downright suck. But I can tell you this, I did it, and now I have a civilian job, though not running nuclear reactors, and this year, I easily eclipsed a 6 figure income, in a fortune 500 company. I dont even have a degree. Not many college grads can claim that.