Hi, I'm about to finish my degree in NucE at Penn State. I love the subject, along with physics in general, and I pick up concepts easily. However, because I had to work through school since my Dad passed away my sophomore year, my GPA is pretty low. I never have time to do all my homework and studying along with work. My GPA will probably be around a 2.4 when I graduate in December.
After my last few classes that have been generally hands-on training for reactor loading patterns with Westinghouse, I have decided I want to join the Navy. I didn't particularly enjoy the work I did in my class with Westinghouse, I found it to be boring and time consuming. With my below-average GPA I doubt that I would get my pick of jobs after graduating. Besides, joining the Navy is something I've decided that I really want to do for a career, after a lot of thought.
I want to go into the Navy nuclear field for career, and I definately want to be an officer. However, since I'm already a senior, it's too late for NUPOC or ROTC. Also, with my low GPA, the recruiters told me that I would have marginal at best chance of directly getting into the nuclear officers program, so I am left with two choices:
Enlist in the nuclear side, or apply for OCS for a different field. I after talking to friends and reading here, I found that the general concensus is OFFICER, OFFICER, OFFICER! The chances of getting a commission after enlisting are slim, and I have much better chances of getting into the nuke officers side if I already am an officer in a different field.
After talking with the recruiter again, I decided I will probably apply for OCS with my choices being Nuke, SWO, Civil. I will apply until I get into at least some officer field. And then I will just work hard and see how it goes until I can request to switch over to the nuke field.
Even though I really want to be in the nuclear field, and especially on a submarine, what I've concluded is that I would be better off applying to OCS for SWO or Civil. Better to be in a higher paying position, that has a better chance of leading to my ultimate goal, rather then to enlist just to be in my field directly but having little chance of becoming a nuke officer.
So, I just wanted to ask you guys if you think my assment is wise, and if you have any other advice or comments. Thanks!