USNA or NROTC?

[RDTroja]

So you're saying that nuclear engineering isn't the best major for becoming a nuclear engineer?

And I thought I was the only one confused about that.

[CharlieRock]

No, I would certainly say the nuke engineering is another good path.  We simply don't see that many of them because so few schools (comparatively) offer NucE as a choice.  Something good to keep in mind, however, is that nuclear trained line officers don't do very much engineering.  The Nuclear Power program trains nuclear operators; that is, our job is run the reactors, not design them.  The only maintenance and repairs we do are throrougly documented and prescribed by the the designers (Bettis or KAPL).  Every once in a while something will come up that requires a little 'out of the box' thinking but not very often.  The example I always use is NASCAR (or any auto racing).  Nuke power trainers the drivers.  They need to know how the car works to tome degree drive it effectively BUT they don't spend their time worrying about engine design, steering design, etc.  They leave that to the design folks and concentrate on how to drive the car under tough conditions.