Not accepting female nukes :(

[Calie89]

So, I am a recent college grad (bachelors interdisciplinary studies i.e. nothing) and am currently working a a teacher. I recently went to visit a recruiter, and took a practice ASVAB, and scored a 95. He then started telling me about the Nuke program. I was very interested, and immediately came home and started doing some research. However, by the end of the week, when I finally got back in touch with the recruiter, he told me that they are not accepting any female nukes at this time.

So, my question is: should I wait to enlist, and hope that a nuke position opens up? If so, how long should I wait?

Or should I enlist and go for another job rating? I am not nearly as interested in the other job ratings as I am in nuke (probably about 10% as interested)

Thanks in advance for any insight into this situation.

Calie

[HalfHazzard]

he told me that they are not accepting any female nukes at this time.

Beware blanket statements from recruiters.  At this time could mean "this week" "this month" "this quarter" or "this fiscal year" and could be an attempt to steer you where he wants you to go.

Or should I enlist and go for another job rating? I am not nearly as interested in the other job ratings as I am in nuke (probably about 10% as interested)

You need to be completely ok with what you're getting yourself into for the next six years.  Only you, not me, not your recruiter, can tell you the right answer.

[thenukeman]

Army has Nuclear Biological  Chemical Specialists.  They opened this for Female Officers prior to the 1980's about 1984 it was opened to Enlisted.  A Department of Energy person was discusssing the response of the US military and their help in the Fukishima response.  It was stated he was very impressed with the  US Army Nuclear Specialists.  The navy not so  much.  I told him that makes sense. The navy basically trains to pristine conditions on ships.  The Army trains to disasters to include large scale nuclear war.  This may be something you may want to look at if you are interested in Nuclear. http://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/browse-career-and-job-categories/intelligence-and-combat-support/chemical-biological-radiological-and-nuclear-specialist.html Has a check mark for open to women.  Maybe go Guard to see if you like it and keep your Teaching job.  If you like it  in Guard you may put in for Officer if you really want to excel.  I worked for Major  Patricia Nilo, Eventually the Commanding  General of the Nuclear Biological Chemical School.  Good Luck!!!!

Here she is talking to  people.  She said she really likes talking to little girls  and they  see her as a General Officer.

 http://pulaskicountydaily.com/news.php?viewStory=1750

 Nilo said the young girl stopped and thought for a moment about what the uniformed adult standing in front of her had just said.

“Then her eyes got as big as saucers and she looked up at me and said, ‘But you’re a girl!’” Nilo said, leading to loud laughs from her audience.

Nilo agreed that the story was humorous, but said it shows something that’s less funny as well.

“I was at Fort McClellan as battalion commander, and I was at the bus station at the airport for some reason, and I had my uniform on and this young recruit came off the plane and was looking for the bus, and she came up to me and said, ‘Are you the bus driver?’ I thought, ‘No, but I may be the battalion commander,’” said Nilo. “

[Styrofoam]

So, I am a recent college grad (bachelors interdisciplinary studies i.e. nothing) and am currently working a a teacher. I recently went to visit a recruiter, and took a practice ASVAB, and scored a 95. He then started telling me about the Nuke program. I was very interested, and immediately came home and started doing some research. However, by the end of the week, when I finally got back in touch with the recruiter, he told me that they are not accepting any female nukes at this time.

So, my question is: should I wait to enlist, and hope that a nuke position opens up? If so, how long should I wait?

Or should I enlist and go for another job rating? I am not nearly as interested in the other job ratings as I am in nuke (probably about 10% as interested)

Thanks in advance for any insight into this situation.

Calie

Yeah, I think one of the other posters that talked about what "at this time" could mean was right. I would get a better definition of that phrase from my recruiter or from the Chief Recruiter there at the office. And if they can't provide a more definite timeline, ask for the local Nuclear Coordinator's phone number. That person should be able to give you more information about what's going on.

I had to wait a couple of months after I was done processing before I could sign a nuke contract. I signed an AECF contract in the meantime just to sort of show them I wasn't going to walk away, but you don't have to go to bootcamp just because you sign it. If they try to string you along, you can just threaten to walk away, but save that for a last resort. That was my plan. hehe ...And I didn't have to do it.

[GLW]

So, I am a recent college grad (bachelors interdisciplinary studies i.e. nothing) and am currently working a a teacher. I recently went to visit a recruiter, and took a practice ASVAB, and scored a 95. He then started telling me about the Nuke program. I was very interested, and immediately came home and started doing some research. However, by the end of the week, when I finally got back in touch with the recruiter, he told me that they are not accepting any female nukes at this time.

So, my question is: should I wait to enlist, and hope that a nuke position opens up? If so, how long should I wait?

Or should I enlist and go for another job rating? I am not nearly as interested in the other job ratings as I am in nuke (probably about 10% as interested)

Thanks in advance for any insight into this situation.

Calie

I would think a commission would be preferable to any enlisted program unless enlisted is just how you want to go.

[thenukeman]

54B--Nuclear Biological Chemical Operations Specialist

ST=95

I seen where your ST on practice is 95.  This is the minimum for the Army.  You may want to take some more practice tests.  Also you may want to get a cliff notes book on basic math.  There is one for about  10 dollars.  Scientific notation and basic algebra is what most enlisted soldiers have trouble on.  I was their training officer at Nuclear Biological Chemical School.

[Styrofoam]

54B--Nuclear Biological Chemical Operations Specialist

ST=95

I seen where your ST on practice is 95.  This is the minimum for the Army.  You may want to take some more practice tests.  Also you may want to get a cliff notes book on basic math.  There is one for about  10 dollars.  Scientific notation and basic algebra is what most enlisted soldiers have trouble on.  I was their training officer at Nuclear Biological Chemical School.

Yeah, I don't think she said anything about the Army...

[Calie89]

Yeah, definitely not interested in the Army. I am pretty much dead set on the Navy, and pretty set on actually enlisting instead of going officer at this point. I may attempt to get commissioned after I have enlisted, and have been in for a few years, but that is something I will revisit when the time comes. Thanks for all of the input so far, and I do have one more question:

I have been looking into the AECF field as an alternative. At this point, I need to enlist ASAP, as I am running out of time in terms of my financial sustainability outside of the Navy. However, is it possible to change job ratings while in DEP if a Nuke position becomes available? Especially if I keep in regular contact with both my recruiter and the Nuclear Coordinator, to stay updated?

Thanks,
Calie

[ArthurRyan]

Hello All,

I just recently got out of the Army, and I was a High Speed 74 Delta "Chemical Dragon" for 5 years.  I got into this field because I had recently worked at a nuclear facility straight out of High School from 2000 to 05'.  My goal in life at that time was to become an HP.  Went to all the training classes I could, meter qualified, haz-mat, asbestos supervisor, etc. got my core which, at the time I was told if I passed that I would be a shoe in for an Hp postion.  BS!  It's all politics!  Had guys with no radiological experience who had previously worked at McDonald's come in and beat everyone out of a job.  I think they said he had great leadership qualities at age 18, so anyway.  A lot of people were telling me to join the Army and become a 74 delta, or CBRN(Chemical, Biological,Radiological,Nuclear).  So I went down and took the test scored a 130 and was on my way to fort. Ld wood, Missouri.  Let me tell you the training was no different than a basic Haz-mat class in my opinion.  They have classes of 200 graduating every month.  So they show the equipment, how it works, and what to expect in a chemical environment.  But, no such thing as one on one training.  The only way to get more training is to get stationed in an actual Chemical Unit.

I got stationed at Ft. Irwin National NTC, CA.  It's was cool at first, because I got my own office but you'll soon find out your just a glorified supply clerk.  Your job is to keep up with the training shedule, make sure all your mask have matching serial number and all there pieces, send people through the gas chamber (all though I enjoy that part), and make sure your accountable for the NBC equipment.  

My advice is to wait for the Navy.  If I had done some research before I signed up, I would have went Nuke.  I have seen that even though the Army might have impressed a few, in the civilian world it doesn't mean Crap!  It seems as employers gravitate to Air Force and Navy...  Now, I have 5 years DOE and 5 years CBRN experience and now a JR at UT for Nuclear Engineering and can't get a survey job!?  

P.S Since you have a Degree, I'd wouldn't go in unless your were an officer.  They get paid 3X's as much, and do d***!  Then I would try to become a Radation Saftey Officer!            

[Styrofoam]

Yeah, definitely not interested in the Army. I am pretty much dead set on the Navy, and pretty set on actually enlisting instead of going officer at this point. I may attempt to get commissioned after I have enlisted, and have been in for a few years, but that is something I will revisit when the time comes. Thanks for all of the input so far, and I do have one more question:

I have been looking into the SECF field as an alternative. At this point, I need to enlist ASAP, as I am running out of time in terms of my financial sustainability outside of the Navy. However, is it possible to change job ratings while in DEP if a Nuke position becomes available? Especially if I keep in regular contact with both my recruiter and the Nuclear Coordinator, to stay updated?

Thanks,
Calie

SECF is for subs, so you probably mean AECF. It is possible to change jobs in DEP, since the contract you sign to get into DEP isn't really binding. That's what I did. See my first post in this thread for more info.

[ArthurRyan]

I repeat, I would not sign anything unless you were becoming what you want.  The odds of you converting over is slim.  Don't make that mistake! [spoiler][/spoiler] 

[Styrofoam]

I repeat, I would not sign anything unless you were becoming what you want.  The odds of you converting over is slim.  Don't make that mistake!

Maybe "back in the day" the first contract you signed meant you had to ship out, but that's not the case these days. I don't know why you guys don't listen to people who have been through this more recently than you have. Or if you have been through it more recently, you don't know what you're talking about. The Navy just wants some assurance you're just not going to walk away if you don't get nuke. Even if that assurance is fake. Once again: The contract you sign to get into DEP doesn't obligate you to ship out. Geez...

[Calie89]

SECF is for subs, so you probably mean AECF

I did, thanks

[amelia32123]

So, I am a recent college grad (bachelors interdisciplinary studies i.e. nothing) and am currently working a a teacher. I recently went to visit a recruiter, and took a practice ASVAB, and scored a 95. He then started telling me about the Nuke program. I was very interested, and immediately came home and started doing some research. However, by the end of the week, when I finally got back in touch with the recruiter, he told me that they are not accepting any female nukes at this time.

So, my question is: should I wait to enlist, and hope that a nuke position opens up? If so, how long should I wait?

Or should I enlist and go for another job rating? I am not nearly as interested in the other job ratings as I am in nuke (probably about 10% as interested)

Thanks in advance for any insight into this situation.

Calie

So i had this exact problem when i joined back in October. They told me i had to wait until January for female nuke jobs to open up. I went ahead and joined under AECF (advanced electronic and computer field) and then on like january 2nd they had me a brand new nuke contract. Just make sure you stay on your recruiters back if you do decide to join under a different MSO. I was very uncomfortable doing it but it ended up paying off because i got the first available nuke female position and will be leaving for boot camp on October 1st of this year. Couldnt be more excited. Hope everything works out for you!

[Calie89]

So i had this exact problem when i joined back in October. They told me i had to wait until January for female nuke jobs to open up. I went ahead and joined under AECF (advanced electronic and computer field) and then on like january 2nd they had me a brand new nuke contract. Just make sure you stay on your recruiters back if you do decide to join under a different MSO. I was very uncomfortable doing it but it ended up paying off because i got the first available nuke female position and will be leaving for boot camp on October 1st of this year. Couldnt be more excited. Hope everything works out for you!

Yeah, I think that this is what I am going to end up doing. I would love to be a nuke, however, I think that I would enjoy being in the AECF field as well. I will just hope for nuke, and if I don't get it, then oh well! Thanks for sharing your experience

[tigger]

Yeah, definitely not interested in the Army. I am pretty much dead set on the Navy, and pretty set on actually enlisting instead of going officer at this point. I may attempt to get commissioned after I have enlisted, and have been in for a few years, but that is something I will revisit when the time comes. Thanks for all of the input so far, and I do have one more question:

I have been looking into the AECF field as an alternative. At this point, I need to enlist ASAP, as I am running out of time in terms of my financial sustainability outside of the Navy. However, is it possible to change job ratings while in DEP if a Nuke position becomes available? Especially if I keep in regular contact with both my recruiter and the Nuclear Coordinator, to stay updated?

Thanks,
Calie

Be very careful what you sign up for. If you sign the actual contract, that may be where you have to stay. When i joined the Navy in 1992, they had been talking about letting women into the nuclear field. I was told to go ahead and choose a job, and when they open the Nuke field to women, I could move over to that position. Well, That wasn't exactly true. The rating I chose was over manned in general, but under manned for females. They ended up not allowing me to change rates. Actually, they made me an offer that I quickly refused. They were talking about manning an all female sub. They said if I would be willing to go on the sub, then they would gladly change my rate. Needless to say, I don't think they ever got enough volunteers since to my knowledge, there still is not an all female sub.
Good luck with getting into the nuclear program. If you don't get into that program, make sure whatever you choose to do is something that you will enjoy. It is a commitment, that is not easily gotten out of.

[MMM]

We started sending female officers to subs a few months ago.

[gsamelon]

First - you have a degree.  I would find line a work within the Navy that would allow you to earn a commission and become an officer.  If you are set on Nuclear, then you will need to finish pre-reqs and then apply for a commissioning program and the Nuke pipeline.  As a prior Sub Officer, I never met a guy who had a degree that didn't regret the fact that he never tried to get a commission.  I have the deepest respect for enlisted, and anyone that ever worked with me would vouch for that, I am just saying you will find life a little more free on the officer side of the house.  The enlisted nuke side though will also provide you a very valuable career and some excellent training, it all comes back to freedom, it's just a bit higher on the officer side (though not much). 

If you going back to school to get a few pre-reqs is not on the table and you want to go Nuke - DO NOT SIGN A CONTRACT FOR ANYTHING OTHER THAN BEING A NUKE.  You may hear the exception to the rule, but it is an exception.  DO NOT SIGN A CONTRACT UNLESS IT IS FOR THE JOB THAT YOU WANT. Anybody that served in the Navy or military will give you that same advice.  If they don't - then they are currently working as a recruiter

Hope that helps.

[HeavyD]

Just to clarify, the Navy has sent four (4) female officers to, if I recall correctly, only four (4) ballistic missile subs.  This is a test program. 

Boomers were chosen over fast boats due to easier crew accommodation reconfiguration (there's a mouthful ).

[gsamelon]

No - there were around 16 I believe.  Some were nukes and others were supply officers.  4 supply officers were removed from service earlier this year for fraud.  In the last couple of days - 2 more females have been removed from subs for fraud - not sure if they are supply officers though.  Sounds like the Navy made a great decision.

[gsamelon]

My advice is pretty current - as of last year.  I know quite a few A-gangers that thought they were going to be able to switch to Nuke MM and find out that couldn't due to needs of the navy.  The needs of the navy will always outweigh you own, so unless you come in with both needs matched - don't do it. 

[DLGN25]

Here is the deal for female nukes.  For now and into the near future, they can only go to the bird farms or the training units.  The problem is not the need for nukes, it is where to berth the women on the carriers.  What that means is that you are not only competing with men and women for nuke billets, you are competing with the women in all ratings for a spot in the 5-7% of shipboard berthing set aside for women.

My advice is if you want to be an enlisted nuke, wait until the Navy is taking them.  The other alternative is to get the additional courses needed for the nuke officer program, and go officer corps.  If you just want to be in the Navy, then you have many more options.

Good luck to you.

[HighOctane23]

It sounds to me like she is in need of a job quick, due to financial strains. If that's the case then I would go with the AECF contract, with the intent of switching to nuke. I'm in DEP now for ABH, waiting on an age waiver to switch to nuke, so I'm perfectly aware of how this process works now days. Just like the others have said, the contract you sign when you first go to MEPS is meaningless. You can pull out of it anytime pretty much up until you walk through the doors at basic. I've even heard of people pulling out of it when they got to the airport in Chicago! We just had a female in our DEP pool who got a nuke contract last month. The only thing is right now nukes are waiting forever to ship out. Even the girl that got her contract last month doesn't ship out until sometime next March, meaning she will have waited in DEP almost 10 months by the time she ships out! I've been told 1 year is the max. So if you can't sit around waiting that long (i.e. because of finances or whatever) then you may want to reconsider even being a nuke at all. I've heard you can switch your rating even after you've been in the Navy, but thats going to be tough if you're coming from an undermanned field. I'm sure others could ellaborate more on that. I myself would like to ship out sooner than later, but with all the holds and backup in the nuke training pipeline right now, I'll be lucky if I get to go by the end of the year. More than likely, it won't be until sometime around next April. 

[DontGoToNPTU]

I've heard you can switch your rating even after you've been in the Navy, but thats going to be tough if you're coming from an undermanned field.

This is true but I've only seen this happen ONCE when a nuclear rating is involved and this kid knew some people in high places but he was genuinely a really really smart submarine auxiliary mechanic (A-Ganger). Right now though if you actually come in and take the oath of enlistment w/out a nuke contract you're not going to get it. Right now we have about 390 people on hold between power school and prototype and that number is going to get worse before it gets better.

[Calie89]

Just to give everyone an update:

Well, I depped in at the end of April, and am scheduled to leave Oct.1 as AECF. I got a 95 on the ASVAB, and was 1 point away from automatically qualifying for the nuke program. So, last week, I took the NAPT and passed it. Now, I am waiting to see if a spot opens up. If it does, the great, and it will push my ship date back. However, if it doesn't, I will still feel grateful for the opportunity to serve in the Navy, and hopefully will enjoy life as either an ET or FC. Thanks for all of the input!

[HighOctane23]

Nice. I just got my age waiver approved today to be a nuke, so it IS possible. Remember, I am in DEP going from ABH to Nuke. Even with things being on hold, it seems at least for now that finding qualified applicants for the nuke program is still pretty high on the Navy's to do list. Good luck, and congrats on taking the first steps towards an exciting new life!

[frazcom21]

I DEPd in on july 12th 2012 for the AECF with a ship out date of dec 24th 2012 however I am in the same position as you are with waiting to see if ive been accepted in to the NNP. Does anyone know if my chances of getting accepted into the program are going to be hindered due to the lack of billets? Or is it more likely that I will just get a ship date thats far away? My recruiter did tell me I can only be in DEP for 1 year but that the year starts over when I sign a new contract, or when my recruiter submits an extension form (which will be done for me tomorrow if we dont have a response about my nuke paperwork by then)