New to site, new to the navy questions about nuke

[brandenw]

First off i would like to say, i am new to both this site and to the Navy, DEP'd in December 16th 06. Since that time, i have been trying to figure out what exactly i want to do with my career in the Navy,  having spent the first 2 months of my DEP time training for the SEAL PST, i realized that wasnt me (and gladly so, i am a nerd, not a SEAL). So since then, i have been trying to figure out what it is i want to do in the Navy. It was my recruiter who pushed me towards the Nuke option, not me. I know nothing of it other than its nuclear power. So i guess my questions are:

Why would i want to do nuke?
What exactly is the nuclear program?
i realize school will be hard, and im fine with that.. im more worried about disliking the job AFTER school is over.
so what will the job itself be like?


I myself graduated highschool at 16, and will be graduating from a Junior College with my AA in Computer Science in June
Math has always been a fun subject, but i by no means would say i am good with it. (I failed trig 4 times before passing, and never made it to calculus). the navy is the best option for my life, however is nuke?

Im sure my questions have been asked before, so if they have, and you can find them please point me in the right direction.

Thanks for your time
Branden

[Fermi2]

Wanna bet if you searched this site like a good nuke would do you'd find your answers?

You're not going to get spoon fed in the nuke program so why not wean yourself now?

Mike

[Roll Tide]

I can assure you that for a self-described nerd, Nuke is much better than SEAL. You will be in good shape with your AA. Your classmates will be college drop-outs (partied too hard to pass) and high school graduates that never had to learn how to study. Don't worry, the Navy will teach everyone in the class how to study.

You will work with the best enlisted people in the military, and you will work for the best officers (with the poorest eyesight or they would be pilots). If you want to learn something useful while you are in the military, there is no better place than Navy Nuke.

(Just my opinion, of course)

[Cycoticpenguin]

First off i would like to say, i am new to both this site and to the Navy, DEP'd in December 16th 06. Since that time, i have been trying to figure out what exactly i want to do with my career in the Navy,  having spent the first 2 months of my DEP time training for the SEAL PST, i realized that wasnt me (and gladly so, i am a nerd, not a SEAL). So since then, i have been trying to figure out what it is i want to do in the Navy. It was my recruiter who pushed me towards the Nuke option, not me. I know nothing of it other than its nuclear power. So i guess my questions are:

Why would i want to do nuke?
What exactly is the nuclear program?
i realize school will be hard, and im fine with that.. im more worried about disliking the job AFTER school is over.
so what will the job itself be like?


I myself graduated highschool at 16, and will be graduating from a Junior College with my AA in Computer Science in June
Math has always been a fun subject, but i by no means would say i am good with it. (I failed trig 4 times before passing, and never made it to calculus). the navy is the best option for my life, however is nuke?

Im sure my questions have been asked before, so if they have, and you can find them please point me in the right direction.

Thanks for your time
Branden

Id personally say don't let the recruiter make your life decisions for you. But I will tell a couple things -
1) You want to be a nuke for a couple things - 1 advancement is CRAZY. My friends in other rates/branches are making e-3 at 2 years. Im taking my e5 exam tommorow at my little over one year point. 2- job security. In AND out of the navy. Nukes are high demand because of the rigourous training we recieve. 3 - you get to call yourself a nuclear operator when the time comes. you are not a nuke yet (niether am i O.o)
2) Nuke program is exactly what it sounds like, you train to be a nuclear operator. I wont go into detail about, seeing as how you have about a year and a half to learn that for yourself
3) School is not that hard really. Its more about pacing yourself, and putting the time and effort to get through it. Its amazing what things this program teaches thats non academic.
4) I will be able to answer this question in about... 8 months to a year from now haha

The program is worth it, the job security is worth it, the money is worth it, but if its not what you see yourself doing, its not worth any of it.

My 2 cents

Good luck!

[brandenw]

Wanna bet if you searched this site like a good nuke would do you'd find your answers?

You're not going to get spoon fed in the nuke program so why not wean yourself now?

Mike

very true.. however as i am still getting used to the site, i thought i would post while i searched. it took me awhile to find the posts. well it was more that it took me awhile to think of the right keywords to find the answers.

I can assure you that for a self-described nerd, Nuke is much better than SEAL. You will be in good shape with your AA. Your classmates will be college drop-outs (partied too hard to pass) and high school graduates that never had to learn how to study. Don't worry, the Navy will teach everyone in the class how to study.

i have sat down with my recruit(keep in mind he was SWCC) and he mentioned how hard Nuke school was, now i realize it will be a challenge, but i was under the impression it was Calculus, Chemistry, Physics as pre-reqs to even getting in. from what i have read it seems all i need is a basic understanding of algebra and electronics(which i possess both of).
so what kind of things can i learn now? or atleast look into to see if im interested in doing them.. im not the greatest at math, but not bad.
i have failed trig 3 times before passing it, and moved on to pre-cal to get a B+. so i have my weaknesses, i did fine in chemistry.. and never made it to physics... do i really need to know these subjects or is it more like i will need to know specific elements particular ONLY to the job.

[rlbinc]

The secret is following a path that you desire. Can you see yourself operating a nuclear power plant? If you can, and you like what you see, you'll find the motivation to succeed rather easily. If you think you can make it, you're probably right - the opposite is also true. I might sound a little spiritual in a technocrat world, but this attitude worked for me.

You are the determining factor in your life.

[Roll Tide]

he mentioned how hard Nuke school was, now i realize it will be a challenge, but i was under the impression it was Calculus, Chemistry, Physics as pre-reqs to even getting in. from what i have read it seems all i need is a basic understanding of algebra and electronics(which i possess both of).
so what kind of things can i learn now? or atleast look into to see if im interested in doing them.. im not the greatest at math, but not bad.
i have failed trig 3 times before passing it, and moved on to pre-cal to get a B+. so i have my weaknesses, i did fine in chemistry.. and never made it to physics... do i really need to know these subjects or is it more like i will need to know specific elements particular ONLY to the job.

You will be given the training you need in Nuke school. If you want to do some study on materials, reactor physics, classical physics, and components it is fine. But the Navy will have specific methods they will expect you to follow. Enlisted Nuke school is algebra-based, not calculus-based. If you did 2 years of high school algebra (and can still do that level of work) you are ready to begin nuke school.

If you have a while before you go active duty, your recruiter could hook you up with a "Rate Training Manual" for nuke MM3 (or just a NKO account). That material will probably be more useful at this point.

[Roll Tide]

Roll Tide - will that manual have nuke stuff or just MM stuff?

Since I took all my rating exams on conventional MM material, I am presuming there is something available for MM3. NOFORN (No Foreign Nationals) material could be put on the NKO site or in a Rate Training Manual if required, but they would probably just leave out those details. If I remember correctly, that was how they dealt with the NFQT exams at one time.

"Principles of Naval Engineering" was a good course, but it wouldn't be my first pick for pre-Navy work. But it was not even NOFORN.

As I mentioned in another thread, don't overlook the value of the FN course either. (And it certainly isn't classified!)

[joshdawopp]

I have two words for you pertaining to nuke school.  TIME MANAGEMENT.  During your study halls, dont shoot the bull, do homework.  Use your time wisely but have fun.  You will miss nuke school when you get to a boat.  Lafe as a nuke will be hard, but in the end it will all be worth it.  Companies wont hire you because you went to nuke school, they know that if youre a nuke you will be flexible and know how to handle the job if and when it gets difficult.

[Cycoticpenguin]

Since I took all my rating exams on conventional MM material, I am presuming there is something available for MM3. NOFORN (No Foreign Nationals) material could be put on the NKO site or in a Rate Training Manual if required, but they would probably just leave out those details. If I remember correctly, that was how they dealt with the NFQT exams at one time.

"Principles of Naval Engineering" was a good course, but it wouldn't be my first pick for pre-Navy work. But it was not even NOFORN.

As I mentioned in another thread, don't overlook the value of the FN course either. (And it certainly isn't classified!)

Roll Tide-
I took my E5 exam today and was amazed at the amount of FN content in it! I wish I payed more attention in A school!

Josh- I would just like to augment your stuff a little bit. Time management also includes military bearing. Make sure you present yourself in a proffesional manner, and ESPECIALLY dont be TOLD to do certain things. Take initiative - iron your uniform every night, shine your shoes, and ensure you have a good haircut. These little things go a long way in presenting yourself, and ultimately make life easier for you. Basically, you just do your job.

-Jordan

[brandenw]

...maybe i missed it... whats "FN"?
im trying to follow everything, i have to say the one thing i really love to hate about the military in general.... everything is an acronym or abreviated

[Rad Sponge]

...maybe i missed it... whats "FN"?
im trying to follow everything, i have to say the one thing i really love to hate about the military in general.... everything is an acronym or abreviated

http://www.navymoms.org/lingo.htm

http://www.npc.navy.mil/CareerInfo/StayNavyTools/

Have fun learning.

[Fermi2]

FN = Fireman a throwback to the old days. It's equivalent rate is E-3. I;m not sure how nuke works now but in the old days all nukes were E-3 until graduating A School.  IIRC EMs were also Firemen because they were a traditional Engineering Rate. ET would be Seamen because in they are from the "Deck" navy. I know a few conventional ETs and they were not part of Engineering.

In the old says one started as a recruit, then eventually worked up to Fireman (actually taking a Fireman Exam). The you'd "strike" an Engineering Rate. If you made it and passed the school you're be a "designate" for that rate. For instance an FN who became an MM would be an MMFN and where three red slashes with a propeller above them on their left arm. (Or Right Arm up till around WW2 or so)

In Nuclear we were E-3 During A School then once graduating A School you'd become an E-4 Third Class Petty Officer IF you elected to stay in the 6th Year. I knew One guy who didn't, so far as I know he never started nuke school and during the whole time I was there he stood watch at the back gate in Orlando (Led out to Benson street?) It was strange seeing someone with three red slashes and a Prop on his arm.

Rating Exams, when I took my E-6 and E-7 Exams there was still a lot of FN stuff on it. E-6 had a LOT of AC and Refrigeration.

The first class engineering exam, at least in Ohio is similar except IF a boiler is operating in Ohio you better know how to Operate it! For my practical they took me to a casing fired boiler and made me start it up, heat it up , run it then recover from the trip. The dang thing was 70 years old at LEAST but since technically I'd be licensed to operate any boiler in the state I had to run that one for my board.

Mike

[brandenw]

thanks for the explanations. i really appreciate the help i have recieved from this site, and the amount of information on the site. you guys have been a great help.

[Roll Tide]

In the old says one started as a recruit, then eventually worked up to Fireman (actually taking a Fireman Exam). The you'd "strike" an Engineering Rate. If you made it and passed the school you're be a "designate" for that rate. For instance an FN who became an MM would be an MMFN and where three red slashes with a propeller above them on their left arm. (Or Right Arm up till around WW2 or so)

I must protest! What I experienced wasn't old days; that was when Dad was in the Navy. Shortly after WWII, you started as Fireman Third Class and worked your way up to Fireman First Class (prior to the formation of the Department of Defense). Dad graduated "A" school as Motor Machinist Mate Fireman Second Class; the next week his rating and rank had been replaced and he became Engineman Fireman Apprentice.
And yes, only the engineering ratings wore their insignia on their right arm.


Back on subject: the foundational material is always good for exam fodder. The introduction to that concept is FN for subsequent rating exams, but you will see it other places. Get used to reviewing often enough so you don't have to re-learn from scratch. And be disciplined enough to use the correct terminology so that it becomes part of your vocabulary.

[93-383]

if you realy want to see more of the power school curiculum this site has the books nearly identical to the nuclear "T" manuals (the numbers are missing like press and temp)
http://www.tpub.com/content/doe/

[cincinnatinuke]

Wonderful reference material!  I just added this to my favorites.

[Sirveri]

Most nukes I know, don't want to be nukes anymore, and would love to get denuked. Too much red tape, NR BS, and stress.

However M-div is 4 section with 4 SRW's right now, so that's a pretty sweet deal. Then again my buddy on the CVN is whining that he went 8 section duty from 12.

There are good sides to it and bad, and unless you're in and really know what's going on it's hard to say, also there is the sub and surface split. Differant worlds for the most part.