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Offline Adam Grundleger

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Re: Nuke MM getting out
« Reply #50 on: Jan 26, 2010, 08:02 »
Look, we all know you're on this site to try to help your husband find a good gig, and that's fine.  Please realize, though, that anybody who posts to this thread doesn't owe you or your husband a darn thing but thanks for doing six years in the service.  They post with advice and maybe crack a few jokes and it's on you to take away whatever useful info you can.  Please don't think they're not living up to some obligation.  Rather, they're going the extra mile if they even offer you anything.

That said, I've got some leads on a few things if you want to PM me.  No guarantees I'll have what you want, but I've been keeping my ear to the ground and there's still jobs to be had.

Offline HydroDave63

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Re: Nuke MM getting out
« Reply #51 on: Jan 26, 2010, 08:45 »
Even if he doesn't get a job before he get's out...he is still getting out.  This is how strong our hatred is for this lifestyle.  
...
 (I actually dislike the uniform but that is beside the point)  


Wow O_o

With all that hate for the "lifestyle" (anyone mention that nuclear jobs involve rotating shift work, long work hours or possibly both simultaneously?) and dislike for the uniform.....the following come to my mind:

1. A greater sympathy for the MM getting out, for trying to serve our country without a lot of encouragement and support for the lifestyle (don't think that hearing "I hate your job" at home doesn't wear on someone trying to do that hard job at sea)

2. You ask for nuclear opportunities, yet prop Seattle twice and slag Richland twice. The only openings in the land of emogoths and rain are PSNS and Starbucks. Both would be a waste of the sacrifices the MM made. There are 93 nuclear power plants and a few DOE sites across America you haven't yet considered.



[/Dr Phil moment]
« Last Edit: Jan 26, 2010, 10:24 by HydroDave63 »

NukeWife

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Re: Nuke MM getting out
« Reply #52 on: Jan 26, 2010, 12:49 »
Wow O_o

With all that hate for the "lifestyle" (anyone mention that nuclear jobs involve rotating shift work, long work hours or possibly both simultaneously?) and dislike for the uniform.....the following come to my mind:

1. A greater sympathy for the MM getting out, for trying to serve our country without a lot of encouragement and support for the lifestyle (don't think that hearing "I hate your job" at home doesn't wear on someone trying to do that hard job at sea)

2. You ask for nuclear opportunities, yet prop Seattle twice and slag Richland twice. The only openings in the land of emogoths and rain are PSNS and Starbucks. Both would be a waste of the sacrifices the MM made. There are 93 nuclear power plants and a few DOE sites across America you haven't yet considered.



[/Dr Phil moment]


1.  The reason I hate it is because HE hates it.  I can't like something that makes my husband so obviously miserable.  That would make me a bad wife.  I have been nothing but encouraging and supportive towards him.    We hate the lifestyle cause of the deployments, low pay, the living conditions, and the way he has been treated.  The hours and shift work....yeah they aren't wonderful but we're used to those by now.   I would think you guys would get it.....you got out for a reason, right?   You know why we don't like it.

2.  I said we like Seattle....not that we HAVE to stay here.   Didn't you see where I mentioned other places....like the southeast, etc.?

Please don't put words in my mouth.   Thank you.
« Last Edit: Jan 26, 2010, 12:55 by NukeWife »

JsonD13

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Re: Nuke MM getting out
« Reply #53 on: Jan 26, 2010, 03:24 »
It seems to me that you have picked a fight with very experienced and helpful people who are willing to provide guidance for you and your man as you transition into the world of post-USN civilian life. 

You can continue to battle with the very people you have asked to help, or realize that you are in a hole and stop digging.







It seems to me like the opposite.  Like she got some of the usual flack that we normally reserve for the actual sailors/new people to the business.  She is just a concerned wife looking for a resource.  While I think that she started off great, after Mike's comment, she obviously went defensive. 


NukeWIFE, not everyone got out of the Navy before 20 years in this forum.  In fact, there are plenty of retirees who loved that lifestyle.  All of the reasons that you listed for why you both hate the Navy are valid reasons, and they all get better when you get out (if he can get himself a job).  If you guys are really looking for a job in the nuclear industry, check out this link.  It lists states with nuclear activities that your husband should be able to find a company based off of and apply.



http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/nuclear/page/at_a_glance/reactors/states.html 

Jason

NukeWife

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Re: Nuke MM getting out
« Reply #54 on: Jan 26, 2010, 03:56 »
It seems to me like the opposite.  Like she got some of the usual flack that we normally reserve for the actual sailors/new people to the business.  She is just a concerned wife looking for a resource.  While I think that she started off great, after Mike's comment, she obviously went defensive. 


NukeWIFE, not everyone got out of the Navy before 20 years in this forum.  In fact, there are plenty of retirees who loved that lifestyle.  All of the reasons that you listed for why you both hate the Navy are valid reasons, and they all get better when you get out (if he can get himself a job).  If you guys are really looking for a job in the nuclear industry, check out this link.  It lists states with nuclear activities that your husband should be able to find a company based off of and apply.



http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/nuclear/page/at_a_glance/reactors/states.html 

Jason

Thank you, Jason.   :)    And I apologize to everyone for getting so defensive.  I've pretty much had to be that way for awhile now due to the Navy.  I know that is no excuse though.  I'm just trying to help my husband out since his command isn't really giving him the time to do anything except maintenance. (While deployed, when he tried to do his quals, he was threatened with mast if he didn't do maintenance instead....these are the kind of people we've had to deal with!)  It's been a rough road and we're looking forward to better times.

  We are a team, I'm just trying to do my best.

Fermi2

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Re: Nuke MM getting out
« Reply #55 on: Jan 26, 2010, 04:12 »
Jason normally I agree with you but in this case I can't. She came here seeking advice and when I very politely offered to help she was great with that, until I posted something she did not want to see. Then all of a sudden because she was a woman no one wanted to really help her. I never recall saying, implying, or caring what her sex, color or orientation is. To be honest, based on her attitude and her latest post I'm not certain what the real story with her is. Look, have you ever heard of a command that threatened Mast to a guy trying to qualify? We all know the truth is probably something else and we're hearing the OJ Simpson version of the story. In the Navy, if you're told to do maintenance then you do maintenance. Yes they might come back and say hey NUB you're dink, but the fact is in the military one does as one is ordered to do, not what one wants to do. I'm not giving her flak. I made what I consider a very kind offer because I would hope if my wife came here someone would help her. On the other hand I know Mrs BZ would take to heart when someone first offers to help her, then offers her advice. You'd never see her post, well I don't like the manner of your advice therefore you undermined me because I'm a woman. You'd also see her sticking to the facts, ie we want to get out and she'd do it without all the "stories" and drama. NukeWife is in fact her husband's representative here and she should understand no one is trying to undercut her. She asked about TVA, I'm with TVA and PRIOR to her taking on an attitude was more than willing to lead her through the various traps and minefields that are there when applying to a large government agency. You guys know me very well here, usually I want some proof of competence or willingness to learn before I'll help. In this case because it was a a sailor's wife I was willing to lay that aside. What I got in return was a defensiveness, a resume as to how she wasn't just a "normal" woman, and a half baked sea story. Based on the above no, I'm not willing to help one bit and to tell you the truth, if her husband was out doing quals when he was supposed to be doing maintenance I don't want him on my shift. My preference is for those who can do what they are told to do by their boss and not follow their own agenda.

Mike

Offline anthonyalsup

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Re: Nuke MM getting out
« Reply #56 on: Jan 26, 2010, 06:27 »
Sorry guys, but I'm a little late to the conversation.  Anywho.......

To start with, quit with all of the "I hate the Navy" stuff.  Just like my wife and I, you were married when you joined.  I assume that means it was a mutual decision.  Yes, going to sea sucks.  Yes, not having control of your own life sucks.  Get over it!  What you don't yet realize is that joining the Navy was probably one of the best decisions of your lives.  Not because of what you went through in the Navy, but because of what it potentially bought you afterwards(if you allow it to).  I was 6 and out.  It took me a year of selling cars and other random jobs before I was hired as an NLO by TVA.  By the way, remember all that school he went through?  If you want to get a job in the civilian nuke world, he'll have to go through it all again.  He will have to work rotating shift work (holidays, weekends, etc.).  You will probably have to move to somewhere where you don't know anyone.  You know what the difference is?  He gets to come home everyday!  After he finishes training, he will have the oppurtunity to make double what he makes now or maybe more!  When he is ready, there will probably be an oppurtunity to move up.

So chill out a little bit.  Realize that the people on here are used to talking to each other and other former Navy people.  We are all used to the smack talking and are able to see through it to the very useful info that is available here.  In short, don't bite the hand that feeds (even if its not the exact flavor you were looking for).

JsonD13

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Re: Nuke MM getting out
« Reply #57 on: Jan 26, 2010, 10:34 »
Mike,
    I just reread the thread, and I missed the sex basis thing.  It definitely changes things when sex is brought in as a factor IMHO.  I understand now why you decided not to offer advice.


NukeWIFE,
   I don't understand why YOU have to be so defensive based on how the Navy treated your husband.  Did the Navy do something directly to you?  Or was it the bureaucracy that a spouse has to deal with when hubby's gone that has gotten to you (trust me I know about this, my wife and I were married almost the whole time I was in the Navy)?
   The whole doing quals when hes supposed to do maintenance thing is the way the Navy runs.  If you want to or are required to qualify, and you are somewhat useful to the division, you will be put to work and expected to qualify after the work day is over.  I had to go through this same process when I was on my boat.  Its just the way the Navy is, and until there is a reactor accident because of operator fatigue, it will not change.
   Just keep in mind that this will not necessarily be the case when he gets out.  There are restrictions that the federal government imposes on how much he will be able to work (if he meets certain conditions, the biggest being working at a nuclear power plant).
  Bottom line I've gotten off of this thread:  the guy is getting out in less than a year, doesn't have much for quals that would have him stand out, and is looking for ways to help him get a job.  If he does nothing more than serve, he will have a tough time finding work.  Have him get some education behind him if he cannot qualify any more at work.  After my Navy training, through Thomas Edison State College, I was able to get my BS in a year.  I wish your husband would have had the Chief that made me take a programming course with him that got me started on my education.

Well, I've said enough for now, good luck in your endeavor, and if he has to be a road tech tell him to go to the frozen tundra for an outage.

Jason

nucleargungus

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Re: Nuke MM getting out
« Reply #58 on: Feb 04, 2010, 06:52 »
I am in mechanical maintenance at a PWR, I was a 6yr MM no elt no ews no nothing, got busted down once went to mast a half dozen times, and if you want to doubt me go for it doesnt bother me but... With OT an outage and relocation my last paycheck had my YTD at just under $110,000. I got relocated, they paid the commission to sell my house, moved all my crap, stored my crap, gave me $10,000 relocation bonus etc, etc, etc. Plants in the higher cost of living areas are hurting for people. Don't worry about it IMHO as long as you dont try to work at the shipyard or stay in the hampton roads area getting out is the best thing you could ever do. I could have stayed in but my career was already ruined. The fact that I cleaned up my act later on in my enlistment didnt seem to matter enough to make staying in worth it. You'll miss the comradery you'll miss working with people under 45yo, you'll miss being on top of your sh!t, you'll be the nub again but time and 1/2 feels mighty nice. Especially when you are waiting on someone else to get something done. Or spending 8 hours doing one lube oil sample for a PM. Can't beat it with a stick!

« Last Edit: Feb 05, 2010, 12:21 by Nuclear NASCAR »

Offline playswithairplanes

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Re: Nuke MM getting out
« Reply #59 on: Feb 05, 2010, 03:29 »
Wow O_o

The only openings in the land of emogoths and rain are PSNS and Starbucks. Both would be a waste of the sacrifices the MM made. There are 93 nuclear power plants and a few DOE sites across America you haven't yet considered.



[/Dr Phil moment]

Hey hey there now... slow down... there is WAAAAY more in Seattle than just PSNS and Starbucks. No respect... sheesh... /Rodney Dangerfield

In fact the nations largest exporter is located here... and... we ARE hiring still.  Both here and in our new facility in Chas. Ain't nuke work, but hey... I don't work rotating shifts, and I go home every night.
Airplanes and submarines... they are similar it's just the density of the fluid that separates them

Offline IRLFAN

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Re: Nuke MM getting out
« Reply #60 on: Feb 05, 2010, 08:30 »
She asked about TVA, I'm with TVA and PRIOR to her taking on an attitude was more than willing to lead her through the various traps and minefields that are there when applying to a large government agency. You guys know me very well here, usually I want some proof of competence or willingness to learn before I'll help.
Mike


Hey Mike, if you're not going to be busy helping her, how about giving me a hand with those traps and minefields.  I can probably scrape up someone who thinks I'm competent. ;)
Democracy is 4 wolves and 1 sheep
voting on what's for dinner.

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telling the wolves where to stick it.

philalexius

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Wanting to get out of the Navy
« Reply #61 on: Apr 13, 2010, 11:33 »
First, let me say thank you to everyone on here who is willing to share their information and experiences. I have read a lot of the postings and threads on here and it has been great. This is the first time I have ever posted anything though. I guess I'm just wanting to get some advice and some of your opinions. I am a nuke Machinist's Mate first class. I transferred from the Enterprise in July of 2007 and am currently on recruiting duty in east Tennessee. When I left the ship i was still a second class and was only qualified up to CMO. I am now having to face the decision of getting out or staying in. Things are a bit different now. I am married and have two daughters 5 years old and 8 months old. I would really like to get out of the Navy for obvious reasons, being at home with my wife and kids mostly. Last year I made about $55,000 after taxes so I guess my main concern about getting out is pay. I know that for the first 6 months to 1 year i would be in a training phase and the pay would be a bit lower. (that's what it sounds like anyway) I really cant afford to take too much of a pay cut. Would I make comparable to that as a NLO? Or should i stay in and go back to sea to try and qualify watch supervisor? Would that benifit any more than just getting out now? This is really proving to be a tough decision for me. Any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Offline xobxdoc

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Re: Wanting to get out of the Navy
« Reply #62 on: Apr 13, 2010, 12:42 »
It sounds like money is your motivating factor. You say you made 55K but how many hours do you put in as a typical navy nuke to get that annual pay? Your annual pay as as NLO may be lower initially but if you worked the same amount of hours as the typical Navy nuke, in a second job your annual pay would probably be much higher. Working a second job probably won't be necessary. I just used that for comparison.  It doesn't take that long to top out especially for navy nukes. Seeing your family every day is pretty nice too. Good luck.

philalexius

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Re: Wanting to get out of the Navy
« Reply #63 on: Apr 13, 2010, 02:27 »
You're definitely right about that. You do have to work quite a bit of hours to get that pay. Thanks for you're reply. Also does anyone know any information about Progress Energy in North Carolina? Like when they may be hiring and what a salary might look like with them?

Higgins

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Re: Wanting to get out of the Navy
« Reply #64 on: Apr 13, 2010, 11:43 »
I've been searching for a job for the last 6 months in the nuclear industry as a 6-and-out with a degree, and it's not easy. Due to the economy the industry is getting tons of applicants. This changes a couple of things. Firstly, it'll probably take longer to get your first interview/screening as they have more people to screen. Secondly, there are hundreds and hundreds of people applying for these jobs, some with 10-20 years experience, from similar fields that got laid off for whatever reason, ex-Navy Nukes, or local college graduates.

From what I've heard companies are hiring locally to keep recruiting costs down, as they will probably have many qualified applicants in the area near the plant. If you can swing your terminal leave to coincide with this, you might have some more pull with the company to get your foot in the door. If you have a bachelors degree, supervisor watch position (EWS held for >2 years), or other things like completed apprenticeships it might help your resume to stand out or open up different opportunities to beat the crowd.

Operations will class up every year if they need people (most do apparently), and will post 4-6 months in advance to class-up date. Maintenance posts openings when they need people, but every company does it differently.

And if you apply for a position, it could be anywhere from a month to a year until you hear anything back from them, so be prepared for a long wait. Try and set something up before you get out. That's what I've experienced, but there's a lot of ex-Navy with extensive experience on the commercial side that could provide better answers on what to expect. Search the company websites every day for opportunities.

Good luck.

bocox06

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Re: Wanting to get out of the Navy
« Reply #65 on: Apr 14, 2010, 11:17 »
So I'm a nuke EM qualified SRO with 2 years left of my initial six years and haven't reenlisted. I'm Planning to get a BS in Nuclear Tech from Excelsior and parallel EWS with that. Now when I get out in 2 years and have that stuff done. Should I be hesitant about more experienced workers taking jobs in the economy right now? or should I be more than qualified to get a job somewhere? (I've actually already been looking and I think St. Lucie in FL looks fairly nice)

Offline crusemm

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Re: Wanting to get out of the Navy
« Reply #66 on: Apr 14, 2010, 12:32 »
Look here for more info also http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,10317.90.html.

These topics has already been covered many many times.  Search the site first, then if you have specific questions, post or start a new thread.  Or, as an alternative send a PM to someone who went through he same thing that took part in one of the other discussions.

Have A Day
-Matt

Topic merged with a very similar topic.
« Last Edit: Apr 14, 2010, 01:07 by crusemm »
Authentic truth is never simple and that any version of truth handed down from on high---whether by presidents, prime ministers, or archbishops---is inherently suspect.-Andrew Bacevich

co60slr

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Re: Wanting to get out of the Navy
« Reply #67 on: Apr 14, 2010, 01:32 »
So I'm a nuke EM qualified SRO with 2 years left of my initial six years and haven't reenlisted. I'm Planning to get a BS in Nuclear Tech from Excelsior and parallel EWS with that. Now when I get out in 2 years and have that stuff done. Should I be hesitant about more experienced workers taking jobs in the economy right now? or should I be more than qualified to get a job somewhere? (I've actually already been looking and I think St. Lucie in FL looks fairly nice)
1.  The latest interpretation (Direct SRO) is 2 years standing EWS....not just getting your CO's signature the day you separate.   
2.  Having a Technical Degree will help break out your resume.
3.  Both you and the poster above should consider expanding your geographic job search.   Many people would like to be in the Southeastern US, which plays into "supply and demand".   Just like Navy Detailing...go where you're needed and give 110%.
4.  I think the "nuclear economy" will continue to grow.   Keep on eye on who's building, who's hiring and throw your hat in the ring in a few years.

Co60

 


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