I'm really not worried about snide remarks! I'll get plenty of that in basic! My question was pretty simple though. Should my contract say E3 on the "paygrade" and is the rating selected after basic, before I leave, after A school, or when? The only reason I don't want to be a MM is... because I'd rather be an ET or EM. I'm not going to complain if that's what happens, that's just my preference. Also, from my understanding, the contract is not final until I leave and put my final signature on it. Until then I could get out. It would be a pain, but possible.
You are going to get detailed, yet easy-to-follow instructions, which you will be required to follow exactly as given.
You will get training, both physical and academic, which will and will not make any sense to you until long afterward.
You will get the attitude adjusted right the hell out of you - for a little while anyways.
You WILL get an appreciation for things like detail, precision, and thoroughness. This was a false alarm for you, but there will come a time - an exam or a drill or even a real event - where you will have to stay cool and do exactly what is required or get screwed big time.
We aren't kidding, and we aren't here to hurt your feelings. This is what you have to know to operate a nuclear reactor on our beloved earth. Next time somebody gives you a bunch of words to deal with, you will remember that each of those words has the purpose of conveying information to you that you will need. You need to appreciate the value of each and every word, and how it differs from many other words that are like it. When someone gives you a simple command, or puts an exam question on your desk, or trusts you with a procedure that you must follow as written, you NEED to pay very close attention to those words, understand them completely, and comply with them precisely.
What we don't tell you here is that the Navy Nuclear Program does NOT make you an expert on nuclear power. It makes you and expert on following the orders and procedures that are necessary to operate a nuclear power plant safely - period.
So, up to now, you have been a bit careless with words. You failed to read and understand them all. Not uncommon for someone in your position. You used some carelessly and insulted some people you didn't mean to insult. You are also not the first to have done that. We can forgive you these small transgressions, but a pump or a valve or a reactor will not be forgiving.
So, get serious.
Your rating will be determined while you are in RTC. You will get the same career interview on the same day as everyone in your company. They will have your file, and will ask your preferences. This will be weighed against your ASVAB scores - but if you met the nuke cutoff your scores are probably high in every area so they won't exclude you from any rating. What will determine your rating is the needs of the Navy and your preferences. Since they need lots more MM's than the other two ratings, lots of guys who put MM down as their second or third choice will be MM's. But it is almost guaranteed (with the odd exception) that you will be an MM if you put that as your first or second choice.
