I am currently a CM3 in the Navy Reserves. It has just been a year since I joined. I did not have my citizenship when i first joined (i do now) but my ASVAB was high enough to go nuke, or at least take the NAPT. I don't see any reason why I wont do well. I've been here for ten years and just now waiting to get my security clearance. I'm 21 now.
I know its a pain to do all the paperwork to go from reserve to active. I am currently getting all that together. MY COMMAND IS AWESOME. EVEN MY COMMAND CO, BASE CO ETC WILL SIGN THE DISCHARGE WAIVER. Its just a matter of if i wanna do it. I know that school will be a lot of studying and stress, I am expecting nothing less of service members that will be running nuclear powered, multi million dollar equipment.
My questions are:
When do I get to choose the nuke rate (Im hoping for ET)?
What are the surroundings like on a sub (bunk bed rotations, locker sized space, what kind of stuff can I bring on sea duty etc.)
Does anyone know what its like to serve with a female on a sub? Are they allowing female enlisted on subs yet?
Is the sub 72 days out and 72 days in?
What do you do as an ET on a sub? (stare at panels all 6 hrs?)
What can i expect to do on shore duty?
How easy is advancement?
After school, do you enter the fleet as an E5?
What does getting a SSW pin entail?
If i flunk school will i have a chance to pick a rate, can i put that in my contract?
reenlistment bonus? hazardous pay etc?
I will be married soon, what can my family expect to put up with?
How does the elite program work?
Other than being a part of the few, the proud, the nerdy and elite group of geeks, why did you PERSONALLY decide to go nuke?
Ok so it sounds like subs might be out for me at least until the Navy changes their policy on enlisted females. Can anyone let me know where I might serve if not on a sub (carrier im guessing).
Whats it like on a carrier?
What is sea duty/shore duty rotation like?
How long will i be at sea and on shore about? How might the first and second reenlisted differ?
I obviously can't get pregnant in school, but what happens if I decide to have children while on shore duty? Can i still do my job or will it be too much liability?
Where can i expect to be stationed for shore duty (SC NY)?
What are the chances of getting base housing for me and my family?
I know that anything you provide is just from personal experience and might not be what happens in every case. Navy careers are like quantum physics, its just the most likely outcome of choosing a rate.