Everyone posted so far has good advice and information. A navy nuke is a navy nuke when it comes to your transition to the commercial industry. However, being a Reactor Operator/Supervisor in the Navy can determine where you begin in the commercial industry.(ie NLO or SRO) The NRC has specific guidance for instant SRO eligibility requirements. The following is copied from the NRC Website.
"Applicants for an SO position who do not hold a bachelor's degree in engineering or the equivalent should have held an operator's license and should have been actively involved in the performance of licensed duties for at least one year or have at least two years of military experience in a position equivalent to a licensed reactor operator."
Now, some might debate what "two years of military experience in a position equivalent to a licensed reactor operator" actually is. There is an INPO document that has a flow chart in it detailing what equivalent experience is according to them. I'm assuming almost all utilities follow this guidance. Essentially that two years is Navy RO or EWS/PPWS at sea. That is the bare minimum. Most utilities will also want some additional supervisory talents/skills/experience to go along with that. For example I was an 8 year ETC qualified EOOW at NPTU Charleston with no degree. I was hired for a SRO candidate position and am currently in my 6 month window prior to beginning initial licensing training.
So to answer your questions, you have many opportunities in the future. It all depends on what you want to do between now and when you exit the Navy. Strive for that SRO position(ie qualify EWS or EOOW and/or get a degree) or finish off your time in the Navy and begin your commercial career as an NLO? Its really up to you and what you want to do. There are pros and cons for both paths. Neither one is better than the other. I had job offers from both, NLO and SRO. I chose SRO because I believe that path fits me better in the long run. I'm one of those people that takes the road less traveled and goes for the ultimate challenge. As far as the money part, sort of depends on the utility.......but no matter what, its better than what the government will give you.
