There's definitely some truth in what goobs22xx had to say with respect to the respect question. But, it's really no different than any other large organization. I never felt disrespected at NPS even though I was a DIO. In those days, DIOs were assigned to teach enlisted subjects first, but could move after about a year to the officer side. The subjects are the same, but the enlisted subjects are taught without any higher math (i.e., calculus) whereas the officer courses assume everyone has had calculus and therefore, the course can be on a more college level. I think it was great to go through the enlisted side first because what I learned in college really sunk in after qualifying to teach. I taught enlisted thermodynamics, fluid flow, heat transfer (known as HTFF) and mechanical theory (known as MTMO) and then transferred to the officer side to teach the same. I transferred back to the enlisted side to assume the director position over the HTFF/MTMO department before trasferring to NR. When I left NR to become a civilian, my replacement was a DIO Instructor from nuclear power school. In fact, I replaced a DIO instructor when I went there. Would have stayed, but on a Navy salary back then, the cost of living was just too high to live well in the DC area.
We had enlisted nukes teaching alongside of us and they were very professional, helpful, and never disrespectful. The few DIO instructors who had problems with respect were those who had the big egos, e.g., I'm an engineer, so I'm smarter than you attitude. The students pick up on that really fast and give no mercy to the instructor.
If you really need the money for school, it's a great deal to have someone give you a paycheck for two years for doing nothing, then get a commission immediately upon graduation, and go off to 'knife and fork' school in Newport, RI for 6 weeks to learn a little bit about being an officer. But, if you don't need the money for school (i.e., mom and dad are picking up the tab) and you are being a responsible child and student and not abusing their generosity, I'd wait and see what the civilian nuclear business is doing closer to graduation. Southern is committed to building 2 AP1000s, SCANA is close behind them, and Progress Energy has plans for 2 more, along with NextEra in Florida and Duke somewhere in the Carolinas. In other words, there may be some really great opportunities outside the Navy as well in nuclear. If you can get in with an AE firm or one of the nuclear vendors, you can get some really valuable experience. But, I don't want to discourage the navy either. It was good to me and for me!
Since leaving the utility that I worked for after leaving the Navy, I now own my business and have foreign customers. Although two larger companies are now entering my market and driving me out (you gotta love capitalism and competition even when on the losing side because it just means new opportuntiies await), I've had a great 9 years or so working as a consultant with many domestic and a few foreign customers. Don't be afraid to take some risks and always give more and work harder than you peers. It pays off.
Did you mention your school and major?
