First off, I'd like to start by saying that I know that I have a long way to go and a lot of quals ahead of me, but I'm trying to plan out my longterm goals here and to do that, I obviously need to look past my first couple of months on the boat.
I understand that due to all three nuclear NEC's being in CREO group 1, I would need to formally request to be released from the program, if I wanted to apply to either Navy (as a non nuke) or USMC OCS. I did some digging, but couldn't find much on exactly how this works. I have also not been able to find anyone who has successfully gone from enlisted nuke to Marine Officer, which makes me wonder if it would even be possible. (I know its theoretically possible, but pickings seem slim in the real world.)
I guess the main thing I'm trying to determine, is if my odds are better or worse if I were to go for the Thomas Edison or Excelsior degree and apply to OCS as a non nuke, or to not reenlist and go back to a brick and mortar school and try to get my degree that way before I'm too old to commission.
I'm well aware of my options down the road as far as LDO is concerned, and STA-21, but honestly, I'd much rather be Marine ground.
I ask these questions now, instead of after I've gotten into my quals, because my boat is on deployment, and if I'm going to reenlist, I'm going to do it as soon as I'm allowed, and we're in a Tax Free Zone.