Computer Engineering vs. Electronics Technician

[drummerguy1989]

I have found myself at a crossroads.  I leave in just under three months for boot camp and wish to become an electronics technician in the nuke field. The major decision lies in whether or not I should turn in an application for STA-21 while at nuke school so I can try and go straight into the NUPOC program afterward. I love engineering, but am afraid that as a computer engineering major (and then officer), I may only learn and know the theory side of the spectrum until I get out of the Navy, and maybe even after that. I am assuming that ET work is more hands on, but how much engineering do I learn? How far can I take this field if I choose to stay enlisted? Let's assume that I do decide to stay enlisted (or get turned down for STA-21), how difficult is it to earn an engineering degree as a nuke?

[co60slr]

I have found myself at a crossroads.  I leave in just under three months for boot camp and wish to become an electronics technician in the nuke field. The major decision lies in whether or not I should turn in an application for STA-21 while at nuke school so I can try and go straight into the NUPOC program afterward. I love engineering, but am afraid that as a computer engineering major (and then officer), I may only learn and know the theory side of the spectrum until I get out of the Navy, and maybe even after that. I am assuming that ET work is more hands on, but how much engineering do I learn? How far can I take this field if I choose to stay enlisted? Let's assume that I do decide to stay enlisted (or get turned down for STA-21), how difficult is it to earn an engineering degree as a nuke?

I don't see this as "crossroads" at all.   I see it as you've joined the navy but "still don't know what you want to do when you grow up".  Don't worry about it...we've all been there.

I'm not sure about the Computer Engineering major being competitive, or a big bargaining chip in or out of the Navy.  You have the degree now...but are going enlisted?  (Confused here).

What makes you think you'll be an ET?  (See thousands of threads on this discussion).  The Navy picks your rating in boot camp.

"Technician".  You'll learn an Intro to Nuclear Engineering/Technology (as you know..at NPS).  Navy Nuclear credits translate into a Engineering Technology degree, not an Engineering degree.  "Technician" by definition is "hands on".  You'll be working for people with engineering degrees.

I've known no one that has time to do all the course work for a full engineering degree on active duty unless they're in an officer program.

You can take your enlisted career to 30 years.

You guys that log on here after signing the DEP contract with your recruiter and ask 1000 questions unrelated to your enlistment is a bit of a concern.  Your job now is to be an enlisted nuke, and if you're not 4.0 and giving 110% effort to THAT endeavor, you need not worry about an officer program.   An Enlistment Contract is not a "stepping stone" used as a means to your personal goals.  It's a very difficult job.

Should you turn in an officer package?  Sure...why not?  The most they can say is "no" and then you're back to studying reactor theory.   

Co60

[Gamecock]

The major decision lies in whether or not I should turn in an application for STA-21 while at nuke school so I can try and go straight into the NUPOC program afterward.

GCE  (Gross Conceptual Error) 

STA-21 and NUPOC are two different and unrelated officer programs.  STA-21 is for enlisted folks who want to become officers.
NUPOC is for civilians already in school pursuing a technical degree who want to become nuclear officers.

Cheers,
GC

[drummerguy1989]

Thank you for the correction Gamecock. I wasn't aware of that at all. Also, for CO60sir, no, I do not have my degree, which is why I have been seriously considering the STA-21 program.

[DLGN25]

Your job as a nuke ET is best described as this:

Nuclear-trained ETs perform duties in nuclear propulsion plants operating reactor control, propulsion and power generation systems. The character of NF jobs is mentally stimulating and offers career growth. The NF provides opportunities to work closely with specialists in the nuclear, technology, and engineering fields.

Nuclear-trained ETs operate reactor control, propulsion, and power generation systems in nuclear propulsion plants.

The number of ETs assigned to a vessel are to man watch stations.

Navy nuclear instrumentation is not rocket science, and probably not state of the art.

Another thing to consider, from what current ET's tell me on another board, is that the electronics used in the Navy of today is not the same as the Navy of old.  By that I mean, most repair work stops at the circuit board level, little is at the component level.

If you want to be an operating engineer, then go nuke.  If you want to be a conventional ET, there are other choices.

If you want to be an officer, get your degree then reapply, otherwise it could be a long time or never to achieve that goal.

Good luck to you.

[spekkio]

Your job as an ET will have little to nothing to do with what a Computer Engineer does on a normal basis.

As a nuke, it will be exceptionally difficult to earn an engineering degree, particularly during your first commitment. I also don't even know if they can do all the lab stuff you'd need via PACE. Your best bet would be to get out and use the GI bill.

[MMM]

I do know a few guys that got full engineering degrees while on active duty. All were on shore duty and were able to get the labs in their time off though.

[HockeyFan]

Have you considered ROTC?  You will finish a 4-year degree in your chosen field followed by 5 years of active duty.  The nuclear field is an option, and you will serve as a division officer and gain management experience.  Upon resigning your commission, you will be eligible to work for companies like GE, which recruits junior officers.

There are a number of slots available for enlisted to go ROTC, but your best chances are to join ROTC while not being enlisted.  They already have you in the Navy if you're enlisted, and you will need top recommendations to get ROTC.  As a civilian, ROTC is a great recruiting tool.

For your original question, CE vs ET....  A typical job for a CE at the individual contributor level is circuit board design.  You'll learn about different microcontrollers, FPGAs, chips, VHDL.  A typical job for an ET is troubleshooting/repair.  You'll learn how to maintain, tune, and fix systems.  Both jobs can be hands on and both jobs can be at a desk/bench.  Both can be high or low in pay.  In the Navy, I doubt you will do much of either design or repair.  A Naval career will be focused on steaming a ship through water to project power and put ordinance on target.  Your primary purpose will be operations and preventative maintenance.  And keeping the bilge clean!

For the Navy, officers are the managers-in-training, managers and executives.  The enlisted are the workers, supervisors, and managers.  What are your interests?  Where do you see yourself in 5 years?  Have a goal and work toward it.

Dave

[modex]

No knock against the Navy Nuke program, but it is highly improbable you will have the time or opportunity to earn a BSE as an enlisted nuke. Only possible as an sea-returnee instructor at one site, AFAIK. Plenty of applied technology degrees, but not strictly engineering degrees. An engineering master's program will likely require a BSE from an accredited institution. If you desire to develop EE skills in work as an officer, you probably need to look at the air force. A small portion of air force officers use technical EE skills such as troubleshooting systems design in RF, EW, embedded systems, and avionics control. These officers all have EE degrees (at least a bachelor's) to begin with.
CE skills have basically zero intersection with any work a nuclear operator is going to do. Any repair or troubleshooting requiring such skills is beyond the capacity and skillset of ship's force to effect.