Career Path > Navy:Getting Out

Which is better?

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Bfjohnson:
Hello All!

I am new to the site, and thought I'd start with a post on something I'm looking forward to in a couple of years.

I'm a nuke ET, and at my EAOS I'll have roughly 12 years in. I'm on a tour of recruiting duty at the moment, and am detaching from that in about a month. At my first command I qualified RO/SRO and RT (surface guy). My contract is up in late 2008.

As I contemplate my future options, there are a few variables that come to mind that could effect those plans. One, I still need to finish my degree, and am leaning towards the Thomas Edison route. Second, I need to finish my Watch Supervisor quals at my new command. Neither of these should pose much of a problem. Third, while en route to my new command, I'm being sent to "Planner School", supposedly to learn the intricacies of preparing and writing maintenance plans and procedures.

The one thing that makes me most nervous, is committing to civilian life, and finding the job market not what I'm hoping it could, or should be. Because of this, I'm looking at being very flexible in the type of job I'd be looking for down the road, as well as the location of that job.

For those "in the know", am I better off using the training to get into "planner" type jobs, or go with my experience base, and go "operator"? Since my family's livelihood is my highest priority; moreso than my work preference or work location, I would like advice on job direction as it pertains to job security and pay.

What do you think? Thanks for putting on a GREAT site guys, I really enjoy it.

Roll Tide:

--- Quote from: Bfjohnson on May 03, 2006, 04:21 ---
For those "in the know", am I better off using the training to get into "planner" type jobs, or go with my experience base, and go "operator"? Since my family's livelihood is my highest priority; moreso than my work preference or work location, I would like advice on job direction as it pertains to job security and pay.


--- End quote ---

OPS, without a doubt.
There are many more jobs out there for OPS, and good operators can choose to move up. When you are an SRO (Senior Reactor Operator), you could then go over to planning or scheduling.

There is no higher job security than as an operator inside a bargaining unit; only a plant closure would take your job (unless you commit acts which would land you in the brig today). Non-bargaining operator positions are secure in comparison to positions anywhere else in the plant.

As an ET, you could also take the I&C route. I still prefer OPS.

(NEXT!)

Bfjohnson:
Thanks for the reply Roll!

Your comments brought another question to mind. I've read through many posts within this site, and there seems to be a lot of debate over the NO/NLO/instant SRO requirements.

Is there a definite answer to this? There was also discussion of waivers from NRC. It sounds like that is an "on again-off again" proposition.

Is there a benefit to trying for an "instant SRO" job? Or is it better to get in the door as a NLO and work your way up to SRO? Or is that even possible?

Roll Tide:
The normal way is NLO to RO to SRO. It is the best way to learn a plant.

Depending on your degree, you MAY find an opportunity for instant SRO. The planetary alignment must be perfect for that scenario, but it has happened before.

The advantage is quicker advancement.

M1Ark:
My plant just hired a 9 year navy ETC into our SRO instant class with Thomas Edison BSAST and an MBA.  It is definately possible to be an SRO with your background.  Try looking for SRO or NLO/Aux Operator in Monster.com, hotjobs.com as well as the employment websites of the major nuke utilities (TVA, Exelon, Entergy, Constellation, FPL).  NLO to SRO is a very good idea to really learn the plant but NLO  on it's own is a very good job.  If you're goal is to be an SRO then try to find a plant that has non-union licensed operators.  It'll make for quicker promotion to the licensed ranks since they promote based on performance and not union seniority.   Most union plants takes anywhere from 7 to 15 years to go to RO class from the NLO ranks let alone SRO.

I&C is also a good route for you.  Pay and responsibilities are in line with an NLO but you'll work dayshift more often but career advancement is more limited.

Job prospects for you in 2008 looks very bright as long as you're not picky as to where you want to go when initially getting out of the navy.

Go to the planner school,  finish watch sup quals and get that TESC degree and learn as much as you can about the commercial industry and hit the ground running in 2008.

Good luck,

MM1

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