Everyone, thanks for your advice thus far. I was taken aback today when a nuke headhunter called me at home after posting my resume just yesterday. I guess they don't waste much time. In any case, to answer some questions from Roll Tide, the ~80k figure I quoted is the adjusted amount I would be making relative to everyone else, mainly in a place with living costs comparable to the midwest (which is where I prefer to end up). With my allowances, tax breaks, and the like, I currently make the civilian equivalent of 106k in upstate NY, which is a little pricier than most places (barring of course CA, FL, VA, and other coastal areas). No one ever said the Navy pays officers poorly (at least I don't think so). I truley love my job and the opportunity to lead people, but I love being around my wife and child more so. I also looked into the North Anna "new construction" mentioned below by tr. Information like that is really helpful. Please keep it comming, and if you know anyone that has questions about becomming a Navy Nuke Officer, I'd be happy to give my replacements some useful pointers to further their Navy careers in return for the good advice you guys have given me.