Career Path > Navy:Getting Out

Career progression and quals questions

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check valve:
Hi all, thanks for any insight you may have for me.  I will be getting out next September, and hope to go into operations.  I would like to know what the typical progression for an operator is, starting at entry level NLO/AO, moving up from there.  My understanding as of now is:  NLO, some kind of "step" program from there, RO, CRS, SM.  I am unclear what CRS means or what license they hold.
I don't want to start another thread on whether or not instant SRO is a good idea.  As of right now, I am trying to find out if I should even expect to find any offers at this level.  My key points are this:  8.5 year MM1 (maybe chief this summer), EWS, (Maybe EOOW this summer), BS in HR management, plus all the normal QA quals, etc.  I would love insight into how I might look to employers, and how I can get in above the bottom level.  I am considering doing another bachelor's from Excelsior right now, and tossing around the idea of the master's in engineering management from ODU. 
Sorry, I know I asked a lot, and I have tried searching first.  Let me know anything you might have to help me!   ;)

M1Ark:
The difference in time to license depends on several factors one of which is you as an individual and the bigger part is union vs. non-union plants.  I got out of the navy in 94 after 6 years in and hired on as an nlo at my first plant and was fully qualified after 1 year.  I was sitting in an RO license class at my three year point and again sitting in an SRO class at my 7 year point.  I've been to lots of other nuclear plants either benchmarking or peer visits and found that most of them are unionized and the progression is much slower (Anywhere from 7-15 years for promotion to RO).  I've been out of the navy for 12 years now and have obtained an SRO license at both a BWR and PWR.  If I would have went to a union plant I might still be an nlo (which isn't bad).  NLO is a very good job.

A CRS (Control Room Supervisor) is similar to EOOW.  They hold an SRO license and reports to the SM who is in charge of the shift and possibly multiple control rooms.

check valve:
Thanks for the reply.  So if I understand correctly, going to a union plant may very well stop your career in its tracks?  That doesn't seem right.  How does this work?  Can anyone tell me more in depth what is involved maybe from time of hire to qualification?
The instant qualification process.  Does this only apply to SRO?  Can I be hired into instant RO quals? 
I have a bachelor's degree, non nuclear related.  (New School HR management)  Should I get one of the easier degrees that is nuclear related?  Will this help my situation as far as getting instant advanced quals?

Roll Tide:
The union provides for promotion (including RO licensing) based in part upon seniority. At times, this has been a hold-up. Currently plants are either experiencing retirements or bracing for them; either way license class will be sooner for new NLOs.

SRO may or may not be union at a union plant; TVA has no bargaining member (union-eligible) SROs or trainees, while FPL has union and management SROs and trainees.

If RO at a utility is union, then union approval is required for RO class. That usually means NO.

check valve:
To be sure I am clear so far-

SRO may or may not be union, depending on the company. 

Progression timelines are affected by union seniority requirements, but conditions are likely to improve.

No instant RO quals at union plants. 

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