Hello, I am (almost) an ETN, and my current plan is to get the most education I can before getting out at 6 years with a decent portion of my retirement savings already set aside, to be filled out and retirement ready by 35 (40 if I'm slow).
As far as my googling has shown, being a good navy nuke can be really good for future careers, or be considered only a minor supplement, depending on what you are applying for and/or luck, while a Bachelors of Science or Engineering (I tend to be more engineer oriented than scientist) is much more widely accepted and dependable.
So the main question(s) are what's the best and/or most efficient way to get this while in the fleet? One of my instructors mentioned Clep tests, which I admit I don't know much about. And Carriers currently seem like the better option for underway classes after getting quals done.
Additionally, it sounds like carrier will be MUCH better for my sleep schedule, (I'm that guy who leaves the rickover as soon as the NDI's do so I can be in bed by 2130 and get 7-8 hours of sleep each night or I slow down bad. And yes ORSE will be a nightmare for me.)
Also, while the post 9-11 GI bill is nice, I'd prefer to either use it for my future children, a master's, or not delay my civilian money making beyond a good ROI, (because time IS money, and early money+investing is worth more later)
What can I expect when I get to the fleet? Will I be totally unable to get quals without functioning on an average of 4 hours sleep, (as 2 of my instructors think is the case)? If so I'm screwed. Will it just take me a month or two longer? (That I can live with.) Are Clep tests as good as I think, (getting credit for weeks-months worth of learning just by beating a multiple choice test )? How much will the Navy pay for?
Also, how does this change if i'm stationed on the JFK while it's still in shipyard (which is looking somewhat likely for my class)?
My original deciding reason for going Navy Nuke instead of paying college to be a Nuclear Engineer was that I abhor debt and want to retire as soon as reasonable, which by the numbers suggested the Navy as my best choice, but only if the contract secured my chances of a $60K to $100k+ per year job after 6 years, (with diminishing returns after that.)
I am ok with having practically no personal time now if it means reaching my goals sooner, (though actually disciplining myself for it isn't always perfect).
One last thing. I'm expected to be on T-Track for 1 maybe 2 months. Anything useful I can do with my off time then?
Thank you all.