Instead of starting yet another topic I figured my dilemma would fit in well with this topic...
First off, I really have to thank this forum for opening my eyes to the intricacies of the civilian nuclear power industry. Prior to reading the information on here I really fell for the prevailing attitude in the Navy which is, "Instant SRO is the way to go... it's the same as EWS and Watch Officer". That's the way Navy Nukes are thinking. Every one of them I hear talking like that now I point to this forum.
Being ignorant (I prefer naive

), I peppered my target area (Southeast) with SRO applications.... Lots of interest. 21 years in the Navy... PPWS, Master Training Specialist, Simulator Instructor, Excelsior Degree, etc. Then, after reading the forums went and also applied for some AO positions.
Interviewed with TVA for SRO in Aug. Still haven't heard anything though. Wasn't ready for the behavioral interview and was off balance the whole time, I just don't think it went well.
Then I got a call to go down and take the POSS for another company. Thought it was strange that they would pay for me to go down and just take the test, but what the heck... why not? They graded the test right after we took it, and out of about 20 people who took it, only three passed. Kind of sad, but that's another topic! After the test, they took me to lunch and told me while we were eating that my interview was right after I got a plant tour. I had no idea, and really wasn't dressed for an interview (dockers and a nice shirt with a tie)... hell, I didn't even have copies of my resume with me! Silly I know, but they told me it was just taking the POSS.
Then I get a call for an SRO interview for one of the many other applications I put in and say yes. That was yesterday. Today I get an email with a job offer for the AO position!
Long story short, I hate knowing the right answer (AO), but not sure if I can afford it. I know it pays off in spades when I go for license class, and professionally it's the right thing to do. I just wish I could get a little more money for it. Not to sound greedy, I'm really not. It's hard to take a 30k a year pay cut. Even if it's only for a short (12 months?) period of time, there are financial obligations that have to be met... a kid in college and child support for two more. It's not a union position, so I'm hoping I can at least try to negotiate some. Realistically, probably not, but I'm going to try.
Sorry for the rant, but this has been costing me sleep for the last few days... Anyone else been in this situation?