Sub or Surface for traveling purposes

[mcwake]

Okay, I read the surface or sub thread and they got so close to answering this question and then deviated to another topic. I know it really depends on which sub or carrier you are assigned to that determines what ports you will hit etc. But will volunteering for subs increase my chances of hitting international ports? I was told that if you perform exceptional during school you might be able to influence your orders. If I volunteer for subs, is there much i can do to influence whether or not I am on a fast attack or ballistic missile? What are the major difference in experiences between the two?

As far as school goes, I am sure I will do well. I am a mature worker and able to pick up stuff quickly. I don't think I will be at the very top, where my scores will be high enough to greatly influence any decision making. But I expect to do above average.

[imthehoopa]

Haha... I await reading the various "use the search function" replies to this one. 

I know that I've read the answers to all these questions in other posts because I've had the same questions (I assume that you are pretty much in the same part of this timeline as me - have yet to leave for boot camp). Take some time to read the threads a bit more.

My answer is nicer than many you'll probably get for this one.

To start you off:

There's a "subs and travel" thread that everyone (sub and carriers) list the places they've been.
http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,15606.0.html

There's a "SSBN vs. SSN" thread that answers the Boomer or Fast Attack question.
http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,3483.0.html


Have fun looking through the forum. I suggest doing a bit more looking on your own and then coming back to ask specific questions that haven't been answered. I assure you though that all you have asked has been answered before.

[Already Gone]

The first question is, what do you consider average?

You do realize that absolutely everyone in your class is significantly "above average", and many of them won't make it through, don't you?

That is not to say that your attitude is wrong.  It is good to be confident, just not too confident.

Your class standing might affect your orders, but you never know who needs people and when.

If you want to see a lot of foreign ports, you have to go surface.  A boomer won't do a lot of port calls.  Attack boats (the REAL submarines) don't spend a lot of time in interesting ports either.  In fact, the whole point of nuclear powered ships is that they can stay at sea for ridiculously long periods of time.  Basically, if it has a reactor it ain't a cruise ship.

You never know.  Some of the guys here have been to a lot of ports.  Some of us did almost none.  Four years at sea on attack boats - I went to two foreign ports during one med cruise.  One of those was LaMaddelena, so it hardly counts.

If you are intent on seeing a lot of interesting places, try Royal Caribbean.  Being a nuke only guarantees that you will spend a lot of time in the engine house.

[mcwake]

Thanks beercourt for the info and thanks imthehoopa for the links.