I am currently an E-5 comming up on my 4 year point. I'm qualified SRO, 301 Craftsman, RPPO.
I have a RP clean, a SP clean, and a EWS card, all of which have very little progress at this time. I have not been sent to any schools.
Currently I am EDTA for my boat, although I have not been EDTA for long I like it a lot. Are there other billets like EDTA other then Instructor duty at NFAS or Power school?
Since I'm far away from Navy Retention news right now, I'm reluctant to offer advice, other than a "big picture" aspect. What do you want your resume to look like when you decide to separate from the Navy? What do you want your Fitreps to look like when you go up for Chief? (Being a professional, full-time EDTA won't make you competitive...anywhere).
You might consider your EDTA job as a collateral duty to your primary (NEC) mission of Nuclear Operations and Maintenance, which you're still progressing through key qualifications. EDTA is a key job on ships; however, it is still just a collateral duty. To get promoted (or hired on the outside) your key assets will be watchstanding/operation skills (e.g., EWS), maintenance (tell me about a technical problem you solved and were recognized via Navy Award).
If you've experienced four years of the NNPP/Nuclear world and are unhappy, then maybe a transition plan through a college and kicking off a second career in a fresh field is your path. Otherwise, my recommendation is to get out of the EDTA office and into the plant and get more operation/maintenance experience. To be blunt, finding a "cushy job" for 3 years at this point in your career will just hurt you.
Be the person that your CO knows can fix something when it breaks, who can be relied upon during a post maintenance reactor startup, etc. Being someone that can only write a continuous training exam for the EDMC isn't the start of a successful nuclear career.
Understand that I'm not for or against anyone's Navy Career. It's a very personal decision that some CO's (et al) take personally (to them). At the end of the day, do what's best for you, your family, etc, but in any event...YOU have to be happy going to work each day. However, I'm guessing you're around 22, 23 years old...don't slow down now, you're just getting started!
Co60