Nuke School Q & A

[b.brehm]

Just met with the recruiter for the first time and got a high 90 on the practice ASVAB. Both of the petty officers that were there this morning were talking about how I should go nuke.

Anyone know about the program or the school? Tried searching the forums and didn't find too much-haha maybe if I can't find the right thread then I shouldn't be operating nukes; haha.

How is the training? Its obviously pretty math and science intensive. The rate is available to active duty only. What does the span of a 6 year contract look like for someone in the field.

College credit?

Thanks in advance. Just trying to get first-hand details and then compare it to what the recruiters say.


-ben

[DK3]

From what I do understand, Nuke school is very, very, very (hint) intensive. You have to learn that stuff or they drop you.

Yes, you will earn college credits as long as you complete the course.

[KC]

Yes, some of the nuke training can transfer to college credits. In some cases, it can count as an internship requirement or on the job training, which is also a requirement of some degree programs. You may have to take extra math (including calculus and probably diff. eq.) and physics though, if you wanted to pursue a nuclear science/engineering degree since the Navy training is more operational than theoretical. Unless there is an exchange program already set up, transfer credits are evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the institution from which you're seeking a degree. Talk to a Navy career counselor about the specifics; I'm sure they have an exchange program with at least one university. If not, talk to an academic advisor at the college you want to transfer to.

[acer87]

I'm about a month into nuke school right now, as far as material wise that is covered here its pretty easy math and electrical/electronic/mechanical stuff depending on if your a et em or mm nuke. I currently hold a 3.6 gpa on a 4.0 scale so to me its not that hard but I can't discuss specifics cause I signed a article 13 on it. Its really not hard though the only hard thing is being able to grasp concepts really really fast, like a chapter or 2 a day then get tested at the end of the week on the 5-7 chapters you just learned, repeat next week with same deal on test plus more. I sucked at math in high school, sucked at it in college, never took physics, sucked at chemistry fyi.

[b.brehm]

I sucked at math in high school, sucked at it in college, never took physics, sucked at chemistry fyi.

As did I; so that is good to hear. You say you are about a month in-that means you got like 10 left, eh? Thats intense bro, but i'm jealous!

[acer87]

5 months left for A school then I got power school for 6 months then prototype for 6 months, this doesn't include waiting periods in between

[b.brehm]

Very nice. I plan to go see the recruiter again and hear what they have to say as to what the next 6 years of my life will look like if I sign a contract to go to Nuke School. If it sounds good to me I think that I will do it!

Good luck! And post every now and again to let us know how its going...

Thanks acer

[acer87]

well I'm enjoying it right now, I'm being paid to go to school, I keep myself in good physical condition, eat three square meals a day, save lots of money mainly cause in prototype they boot you out of the dorms and give you BAH to live out in town which I can't wait to do. weather is amazing down here and Charlestons a beautiful city with good food, The officers and chiefs around the nuke command are super nice and of course dorky as hell they are nukes after all.

If you do sign up you'll hear a lot of things especially in boot camp, everyone thinks their rate is the best rate in the navy, I had a boatswains mate tell me that I made the mistake of going nuke and boatswains mates the best rate, yeah don't listen to those people cause tying up line everyday is obviously the best job ever.....Oh yeah and FACT: everyone hates nukes in boot camp, Most commonly used term : "Don't nuke it", don't ever disclose the fact that your a nuke unless absolutely required. The question following your answer of yes to "are you a nuke" will be "Do you play World of Warcraft?" regardless of your answer they will still laugh at you and make fun of you. But don't ever doubt your decision becoming a nuke, cause our bonus is very sexy, and our advancement is exponentially higher than most rates in the navy and if you want to become an officer the pick up rate here in nuke school is insanely high.

[KC]

Nukes get teased everywhere. Everyone does. At my university there was a mostly friendly rivalry among all majors, and nukes got crap just for being nuclear engineers. Geologists got it too, we were called rock lickers. And this was from OTHER engineers and scientists! You'll get picked on for being smarter, being bigger or smaller, being older or younger, for having blue eyes. It's just what it is.

All that said, nuclear science is an awesome field, in the Navy or civilian. It's challenging, interesting, and great experience for a career in a rapidly expanding field. My sister in law is a nuke officer in the Navy, and she speaks highly of the program and just of nuclear science in general. She may be your boss someday too, which would be awesome, because she's all around kickass. I digress...

Nuclear is a 6 year enlistment, but since you have some college already, definitely consider working on your degree after you're out of nuke school, because that would give you a huge, huge boost in getting a job after the Navy, or applying for a commission. It's hard work, but the money is really good, and you get to exercise your brain!

[b.brehm]

I don't play Dungeons and Dragons or World of Warcraft though... haha of course I mean this a joke; but for these 6 years I would obviously want to be somewhere that I fit in. I enjoy my time in the bars and with the ladies-in the real world, not the MMOLRPG world, haha.

[acer87]

thats fine there are boatloads of bars and strip clubs down here, my roommates departing gift to me was a box of free admissions to strip clubs lol.

[b.brehm]

six years is a big commitment tho.. just gotta think everything through before I commit.