If you have an excellent, well-paying, low stress job, but are looking for a way to serve, maybe you should consider the Reserves. Just putting all the options on the table...
Trust me, I thought of that already but lets just say my company is not very military friendly. If you don't have your blackberry attached to your hip you catch hell for it, just one example.
When I first posted I lost sight of the original intent of the post which was to gain info on the nuclear navy program. This is going off on a bit of a tangent let me try to give a little background on wanting to join the nuclear program. I want to serve in the military. Initially, I looked to the reserves but realistically it won't workout as I have plenty of 12 hr days currently and a guardsmen I spoke to a few weeks ago said his job is more than just 1 weekend a month now. So then I looked to the active force. Since I'm in decent shape (I can run 5 miles in about 45 mins etc..), I thought of Army/Marines. But given my technical background I felt I would be wasting my knowledge (which I spent 4yrs getting) had I gone that route. So then I looked at the Navy.
I read OCS was a crap shoot so I eliminated that option (why spend 5-8 months applying, and potenitally not getting the rating you want). The I came across the nuclear program, it has "made for nerds" all over it. Everyone says its hard and difficult academically and thats why I'm interested in it. I heard from an nuke OCS candidate that the nuclear officer is pretty undermanned and they would take anyone who is qualified at the minimum level. But given my circumstance if I were to take the 2 physics classes need now, that would put me at a Fall 09 timeframe when I can apply then tack on a few months for applications and boards to clear, I realistically wont be getting a slot til 2010. Who knows what the nuclear navy would look like by then.
I don't qualify for any other commisioning programs like NROTC, STA-21 since I already have a degree. Thats why I initially asked about LDO/CWO just incase I enlisted and wanted to go officer at some point.
So enlisting is my only viable nuke navy option. But everywhere I read there was someone similar to my situation (some even posted here), asking the same question whether to enlist or go officer, and everyone (prior servicemen) says if you have a degree go officer, with no explanation. The only difference I know between the two is that officers make the decisions and set out the objectives, its up to the enlisted crew to carry it out. I'm comfortable with either role.
Wrong there Junior--do some time on the pond--All Chiefs are not respected and do not necessarily have leadership ability--just as all managers or supervisors in the civilian world are not necessarily good leaders or respected either--Have you ever heard of being a "yes man" and playing politics well??
Sure the Navy doesn't have its bright spots but that happens everywhere, including my current job. I know a bunch of "yes men", purely stupid managers who have no business managing, and I have experienced having people steal my ideas for their own personal gain. That happens every day in the civilian world and I'm pretty sure it happens in the Navy. But atleast my civilian years prior to me joining have exposed me to this so in a sense I am a bit more prepared than say your average 18yr old high school recruit who thinks the Navy is exactly what the recruiter told them. I know, rather I have read that life at sea will suck and the Navy is not really "fair", but its not that different to the civilian world.
trust me I have done tons of research in the previous days and I think the nuclear program would be a great place to serve. I don't know everything a potential recruit should know but I think I have a good grasp of it (see below)
Boot camp -> "A" school -> NNPS -> NPTU -> sent to boat, males only /carrier aka target for both -> NUB until you qualify, life will suck, you will regret joining -> qualify in your watchstations -> qualify on the boat (dolphins) -> work up to deployment -> work 12-16hr days -> sacrafice sleep to keep working 6 months out at sea -> repeat repeat repeat
Additionally--if you are a fitness buff--you better learn how to improvise when working out in engine room aft btween the r-114's on a 688 class sub when doing angles and dangles--ie rubber pads on the deck and falling on the weights to prevent rolling
true, but all you really need is a spot and you can get a great workout. I don't use weights, just do calisthenics. But this is getting off topic.
hope this explains my inital post a bit more, and clarify things. It seems I posted too many questions that have no association with each other and its giving the wrong impression.
keep the posts coming
