Some of the things that EM1 stated are either their opinion or are just ……… wrong.
If you WANT to be assigned to a submarine, then volunteer. Not sure why EM1 said to not volunteer. If you DON’T volunteer, you are guaranteed NOT to be selected.
The statement about sub nukes working more than surface nukes is, at best, speculation. Having worked alongside both fast attack and “boomer” (ballistic missile submarine) nukes, the work tends to be roughly equivalent. The one exception may be for the electricians. On a sub, the EMs own everything. On a carrier, the Nuke Ems typically are only involved with the gear in the plants. Engineering (non-nuke Ems) owns all the stuff outside of the propulsion plant.
“You also develop more health problems.” This statement is absolutely opinion. Without proven research or clinical studies, opinion. WE (the Nuke community) are bombarded by unfounded babble from numerous “special interest” groups about the harms of Nuclear Power on a daily basis. We need to refrain from making the same kind of statements about ourselves to our potential fellow Nukes.
As far as deployment length, your mileage may vary. Every time a carrier deploys, a fast attack submarine is assigned as part of the group. Wherever that carrier goes, that fast attack is close by, keeping an eye out for the carrier. So your deployment may be just as long as the carrier’s.
As far as having Starbucks onboard, that is a little deceiving. Some of the carriers have Starbucks brand coffee, along with the cups and other crap, onboard. There was (may still be in place, not sure since I retired in December) a contract between the Navy and Starbucks.
You do “really” get to pick your rate if you want to be an MM. An individual can get MM as a guaranteed rate in their enlistment contract. If you don’t go that route, then your rate is decided by a classifier, who takes various things into consideration such as current needs for the different rates, class size for upcoming “A” School and Power School classes (not Boot Camp division) among other factors.
As far as getting to pick where you go for duty, again EM1’s statement is misleading. When you get your first assignment, you fill out a Duty Preference sheet. Sometimes referred to as a “Dream Sheet”, this is your input to your Detailer about where you would like to be stationed. Again, the manning needs at the various commands is a major factor here. If you happen to be a female Nuke, an extra consideration is factored in; if the carrier (no enlisted females on subs, yet) has a rack open for you in the female berthings. Each carrier only has X number of racks available in the female berthing compartments. No empty rack equals no assignment there.
Here is the bottom line. You are about to begin the gigantic adventure that is adulthood. You are going to be responsible for your actions. Get the right attitude about staying focused in school, doing what you are told (comes with being in the military), and this little phrase that we have called “procedural compliance”. The written instruction says do it this way, that’s what you do. If it’s wrong, you don’t go off and re-write everything. You stop, bring the discrepancy to the next level of supervision, get it corrected and then proceed.
What we do is inherently dangerous and destructive, if not taken seriously and treated with respect. No one is going to be there holding your hand, spoon feeding you answers like has happened throughout your school years. And before you get defensive about that statement, I know how it is because I have a 14 year old son who I routinely have to plant a foot in his @$$ to get him to understand that he has to put forth effort to get reward. Search for answers, exhaust all possible avenues that you know of, then ask for assistance. Check your ego and your feelings at the quarterdeck, as we used to say when I reported to the ENTERPRISE in 1993.
Get into shape, as has already been mentioned. Get your finances, if any, in order. Lay out some reasonable goals as you get to each step of the pipeline. Work hard. When I was a DLCPO (Divisional Leading Chief Petty Officer), I told my sailor’s I only had 2 rules. 1 – Show up on time. 2 – Do what you are told. Follow those and things will go much smoother for you.
Best of luck and thank you for volunteering.
