New Naval Reactors Engineer.

[gaven555]

Hello,

I was recently accepted into the Naval Reactors Engineering program and I have a couple questions. I go to ODS in July and I will be sent to Naval Reactors(NR) in DC this September. This worries me because I am a chemical engineer and I have a very limited knowledge of Nuclear Reactors. During these first few months at Naval Reactors before I go to power school, what will be expected of me? I am reviewing the DOE Nuclear Physics and Reactor Theory Handbook at the moment so that I will have some background before I arrive. What else should I do to prepare myself so that I make a good impression during my first few months at NR? If you have experience with the Naval Reactors program, can you tell me what were the most difficult things that people in my position encountered?

[NuclearCowboy17]

Congrats on the position but if you really want to know what to study i can sum it up in one word...nothing. I am not trying to sound crass or anything of the like, but NR is NR is they will mark tissue paper as classified if it has numbers on it. If I am reading this correctly you are working for NR, not going to OCS, so you will likely spend some time in Pittsburgh going to BRES will you will learn all you need to know and them some. Good Luck!!

[HeavyD]

To followup to what NuclearCowboy17 said, if you want to make a good impression, that's fairly simple.

Show up on time, work hard, never be afraid to ask if you don't understand something.  They picked you because you showed the potential during the screening process to fit into what they need. 

Congratulations and best of luck!

[cheme09]

Exactly what the other two guys said. And this also applies to those who have been accepted to the other designators for NUPOC.  Heck, it even applies to those who have accepted positions at utilities as an NLO.

You've been through an involved interview process which was meant to show your technical foundation as well as your ability to learn, and came out the other side with an offer. That's all you need.

Asking, "What should I study before I get there?" or even going through mass amounts of information and books before arriving is akin to locking yourself away in a library the summer before your freshman year of college and trying to learn as much as possible in prepration before the first day.

You will go through a rigorous training program where you will be taught what you need to know. Try to relax while you have the time. Keep your mind sharp, but don't be burnt out before you get there.

[hituw2x4]

I am interested in the reactors engineer position and was wondering what kind of preliminary steps you had taken to get into such a notable program.  From what I understand it is a very difficult job to get selected for and have never seen any first hand responses from anyone in reactors engineers specifically only SWO and sub officers.

[klj3827]

Great grades in a technical field of study at a competitive school.