Career Path > Navy Nuke
WSKG Carrier
Spiff:
I just missed the start of the PBS special "Carrier", but I did see the very limited portion they had about the nukes. I am not surprised that it was very limited, partly because of the security classifications. Also because, unless things have changed drastically since 1997, Reactor Dept. wasn't the most pro-Navy dept. on the ship. Our CLIP (Civilian Life Incentive Program) comes to mind, as does the unofficial "Rough Ride" Reactor Dept. newspaper!
Everyone they interviewed seemed to be a diggit. Sorry, I had to say that being a "6 and outer"!
I remember the Reactor Officer (sub and old-cruiser equivalent of Cheng)they interviewed during the program from my days aboard the TR (CVN-71). I think he was LCDR at the time and served as the REA. The ET's and EM's all seemed to really like him and I never had a problem with him when he was my EOOW. I am glad he finally made it to Reactor Officer, he was one of the better ones. Being an ex-RM guy, too bad I can't say the same thing about the RMA's we had...
The PBS program did remind me of how much free time the Airdales/Chowdales actually had. I remember them being in 6-section duty and then finally being allowed to go to 12-section duty. There was nothing more encouraging than going into Port and Starboard coming out of the yards, while the ship's force airdales were in 12-section duty!
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I remember some E-6's qualifying PPWO when I was in, but they may have been E-7 selects. I think they had to be an officer to sit EOOW though.
Gamecock:
--- Quote from: Spiff on Apr 29, 2008, 03:53 ---
I remember some E-6's qualifying PPWO when I was in, but they may have been E-7 selects. I think they had to be an officer to sit EOOW though.
--- End quote ---
Every enlisted person qualifying PPWO requires a waiver by NR. The only E6 that I ever heard of qualifying was a guy who was selected for LDO awaiting his commissioning. I served with him after he got commissioned.
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_pnav/is_200111/ai_1702625292
For the sub guys.....PPWO on a CVN is analagous to EOOW on a submarine. You have one PPWO per plant.
EOOW on a CVN stands his watch in DC Central. He is the senior nuke, and the PPWOs report to him. The EOOW on a CVN is always an officer.
Mnemorath:
--- Quote from: Gamecock on Apr 30, 2008, 08:45 ---Every enlisted person qualifying PPWO requires a waiver by NR. The only E6 that I ever heard of qualifying was a guy who was selected for LDO awaiting his commissioning. I served with him after he got commissioned.
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_pnav/is_200111/ai_1702625292
For the sub guys.....PPWO on a CVN is analagous to EOOW on a submarine. You have one PPWO per plant.
EOOW on a CVN stands his watch in DC Central. He is the senior nuke, and the PPWOs report to him. The EOOW on a CVN is always an officer.
--- End quote ---
I served with him before he was commissioned. Before he was even a chief. He was my LPO and LCPO as well. We did not get along. Then again, I was just a lowly third (I'm a first now). I always thought he was a dick. Still do to a degree, but the years have tempered that opinion. I have met worse people and if he really wanted to screw me over like I thought he did he could have very easily.
Thinking back I learned alot from him, especially his attention to detail and minute. This guy could tell you the number of holes in the colander. I think I still remember the answer to that.
Oddly enough, I also would like to take the same career path he did. I have my work cut out for me though. I got to get back to sea and keep my nose clean and work my butt off.
rlbinc:
--- Quote from: Brian on Apr 29, 2008, 08:33 ---Last night I watched a show on WSKG about a documentary on board the USS Nimitz. They didn't talk much about the reactor but the one thing that I did notice was the officer in charge of the plant. He said that he had a degree in political science and history. I don't know if it is just me or if that position would be better left to someone with an engineering degree.
Any comments?
Brian
--- End quote ---
The best nuclear officer I have ever known was a Rhodes Scholar / Political Science major from the Naval Academy. He was the Plank Owner (Initial Manning) Reactor Officer on USS CARL VINSON (CVN-70). One day this topic came up in conversation - and it was agreed that there is no better initial education for a Reactor Officer than Political Science.
He would ALWAYS listen to the advice of enlisteds. He may not agree, but you never were shot down by your blue shirt.
Think about this for a minute...
"I don't have to know the answer for every question - I have to know who does."
Does this sound useful to you?
Does it sound like the thoughts of an Engineer?
Just my humble opinion.
PacketBoy:
--- Quote from: Spiff on Apr 29, 2008, 03:53 ---I just missed the start of the PBS special "Carrier", but I did see the very limited portion they had about the nukes.
--- End quote ---
For anyone who missed that show on PBS, like me, it is now on Netflix as a watch instantly title. I watched 8 of the 10 episodes last weekend. It is well edited and produced, and they seemed to focus on a good mixture of different people with different jobs. I really like the CO of the Black Aces Squadron VFA-41, a prior enlisted Marine, CDR Dave Fravor. But for the love of God, why do they focus so much time and attention on the young enlisted sailor who is shocked to find out the girl he has known for only six months, who is carrying his child, has gotten bored back home and started seeing a different man?
It is a great show focusing mainly on the Air Wing and flight operations. As usual, the nukes are mentioned only in passing. I can only assume that the sign-up sheet to be on the show had an asterisk at the bottom with NNNA.
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