Newcon ET, billets/options to help post USN

[Stephonovich]

I've lurked on Nukeworker for about a year or so, read up on every "this is why you're wrong" thread I could find, and have seen the wide variety of people posting here, and their experience.  I suppose some of this could go into Staying In, but I plan on getting out after this enlistment (will end up around 9.5 years).

I'm an ET2 on a Virginia-class newcon, currently in EWS quals.  I've been attached to the boat prior to it existing, and have seen the entire build process through.  Currently in the middle of a 50+ day 3 section shift work period.

I would like to go into Ops, preferably in the SE.  I've gathered that experience here means little to nothing outside.  I would like to maximize my options outside while in.  Unfortunately, during Newcon, there is pretty much no free time for any college, plus my schedule rotates about as often as I can blink.  I have looked into several online courses, but most of them seem either not worth it, or they require more time than I have to give.  I'm not stupid - I know good things do not come without hard work.  However, 80-100 hour workweeks do not lend themselves to desiring anything other than sleep.

Prior to transferring/being evicted (he was at odds with our CO), there was an excellent prior ETC LDO who told me that FIDE (simulator) billets were one of the better things to have if I wanted to open up my options.  (Obviously this would lean more towards instruction than Ops) This means Prototype or a FIDE, and the latter is extremely difficult to get.  Can anyone in the commercial world yay/nay this thought?

Once I leave the boat, I will realistically be going to Prototype, which with the current PRD plan, means I'll be extending.  I don't necessarily have that as my first choice, but it would (provided I went back to Charleston) put me closer to my and my wife's family, and allow me to go look at the area I want to be settling in.  I enjoyed my time at MTS-635, but I qualified quickly and got along with staff.  I think I'd do alright if I went back, and honestly, it probably wouldn't be any worse than here (A MM1 transferred up here from prototype about 9 months ago and agrees).

Are there any KAPL employees here?  I've seen a few members reference it, so I assume so.  There's an extremely friendly and knowledgeable RPCO rep on our boat who keeps encouraging me to go to KAPL.  It does require a degree, he says, but it would definitely be something I'm interested in.  I've spent about 45 days at KAPL for various training (Design School is tremendous - getting to talk to the engineers who designed a system and have them present lectures on their own stuff is great), and the people there in general seem very happy and enthused.  One department that would interest me is Advanced Reactor Design, but I'm sure that would require quite a lot of schooling, and very little of my current knowledge would transfer over.  

Finally, a money question: I've done a lot of searching on the subject of temporary employment upon leaving the military.  I understand that you interview and hopefully get offers prior to your EAOS, but I imagine that's not always feasible.  What do most people do in the transition period?  Best Buy, Wal-Mart, etc?  I'm not above that, although if there was something remotely related to my hopeful field of work that'd be great.  I've looked at http://www.y12.doe.gov/ and they're fairly vague on the subject, mostly saying that area employers are available.

Thank you in advance to anyone who has read this far.

-Stephan

[co60slr]

EWS, Commercial OPS, FIDE, Prototype, KAPL, Money

EWS quals. An absolute minimum.  The latest NRC guidelines suggest that the signature isn't enough.  Actually standing the watch for 2-3 years is your goal.  Also, EOOW at Prototype should be a driving force to get you there.

Ops, preferably in the SE.  Everyone (stated lightly) wants to live in the Southeast.  Resumes are greater in number and the salaries are lower.   I just received an email on LinkedIn.com this morning for a company looking for Ops Instructors for their AP1000 plant coming up.   Minimum requirements?  Commercial SRO Cert...License preferred.

FIDE (simulator) billets.  A positive bullet, but a FIDE is still just a Navy Panel.  MUCH different than a Commercial PWR control room.

Prototype.  You didn't mention RPI, BSNE degree?   KAPL and DOE usually hire people with a BS Engineering degree (and in fact, many go on to get PhDs).   Your goal for a prototype tour should be EOOW and a BS degree (of some sort...anything technical).

KAPL.  I like your ambition to work with engineers in a greater capacity than you've seen now.  Keep in mind that you would do that more in senior Navy billets, as a civilian at KAPL, Bettis, etc.  Westinghouse (Pittsburgh, PA) is a nuclear engineering leader as well.  Bottom line: you can find your niche (working with engineering) at many companies.  I'm not offering a KAPL opinion...just "keep looking" opinion.

Temporary employment upon leaving the military.  Most people I know (E-6 8 years and out, to O-5 30 years and out) find something before, or during terminal leave.   Some chose to take that time off intentionally before starting their second career.  Yes, you'll have to personalize your experience based on your needs and do what it takes (e.g., Best Buy if that's right for you).

DOE/Y12.  Great area to live with several nuclear companies in "Atomic City" Oak Ridge, TN.  It's a national security complex, so vague is right.  Y-12 is just one of the functions that makes up DOE Oak Ridge National Lab (ORNL).  DOE seems to always needs Rad Techs, other jobs are by eduction (technical degree), experience (20+ year exNavy), and security clearance (anyone with a DOE L or Q is highly desired).

Good questions.  My honest opinion is that you haven't completed what you should before transitioning.  EOOW and BS Degree.   Start networking now...they'll tell you at TAP this is how many get their jobs, and from what I've seen they're spot on.

Email/PM as desired for more specific help.

Co60

[Stephonovich]

EOOW; really?  I'd heard either/or was the goal.  Perhaps I had incorrect information.

As to RPI, I'd heard that the program for Kesselring staff was going away.  Looking at RPI's site, it looks as though the Malta program is being moved to the Troy campus.  So, not necessarily gone, but went from 10 minutes to 40 minutes away.  It's something I might look into, though.  An RPI degree, especially with 100% TA, would be great.

The other benefit of a NY prototype is, as you mentioned, networking.  To some extent I suppose the same is true with Charleston, but I believe the civlian:military ratio is higher in NY than in Charleston.  Could just be vicious Goose Creek rumors, too

I haven't completely ruled out other options for careers, which you alluded to.  Defense contractors have piqued my interest ever since seeing some of the, well, interesting I&C gear we have... let's just say I have ideas for future designs.

Thank you for your time in replying.  I appreciate not being blown off as yet another nuke asking the same questions in a different way. 

[co60slr]

EOOW; really?  I'd heard either/or was the goal.  Perhaps I had incorrect information.

The other benefit of a NY prototype is, as you mentioned, networking. 

Defense contractors have piqued my interest ever since seeing some of the, well, interesting I&C gear we have... let's just say I have ideas for future designs.

Thank you for your time in replying.  I appreciate not being blown off as yet another nuke asking the same questions in a different way. 

EWS is the minimum for DSRO.  EOOW would be your highest possible enlisted qual.  Likewise, you don't need a BS Degree for Commercial OPS, but it opens doors.   You have time to give 110% and write your own resume, vice assessing your Naval career at the A-6 month point to separation and realizing it doesn't say much.  I assumed you wanted the "max" advice and not "what can I do to squeak in the door".

Networking starts where you're at now (e.g., RPCO, Shipyard engineers, etc).  Both have ex-Navy and can offer good advice in their areas.  Presumably, you'll gain contacts here, LinkedIn.com maybe, Facebook, etc.  Everyone has their "Groups" you can join of common interest.   

Most importantly though, what are you doing for the now?  Are you someone a Shipyard Test Engineer can turn to for help?  When asked to troubleshoot at piece of gear, are you the first one to tackle/solve the problem?  (Or worse yet...are you routinely NOT asked to help?  Yikes).   I also see many "daydreamers" that ignore the present and have trouble putting together solid bullets on their resume.   

Separately, there are advantages/disadvantages to Military and Post-Military.  I'm not a military recruiter/retention specialist, nor am I a recruiter for my company that will talk you out of reenlisting.  You do what works for YOU, but the equation between now and then is simple:  energetically give 110% and see what doors open...inside, or outside the NNPP.

Good Luck...keep us posted.

Co60 

[Stephonovich]

Thank you both for your well-thought out replies.  I greatly appreciate them.

For the mean time I will continue to get as many quals and resume bullets as I can, and I'll start looking more heavily into realistic degree options while in.

Also, I joined LinkedIn.  I figured if nothing else I can start finding and adding people, so by the time I get out, I'll hopefully have a decent pool of contacts who might remember me when I send in a "please hire me" letter.

[JsonD13]

While I was waiting for my clearance to run through at my current job I collected unemployment.  Its not too bad and it can pay the bills.  Was only on it for about a month though.

Jason