NUC or USNA?

[Gavrilova]

I'm a female high school senior. Been in NJROTC for 3 years and one of my instructors(MCPO) convinced me to apply to the Naval Academy, and i got into NAPS which means i will need a year of prep school and im ready to go. I'm also enlisted in the Navy as an AT but been approved for NUC. (Waiting on my new contract). I really don't want to become an officer because the desk job doesn't appeal to me. I don't know which one to pick. What would you do?

[Gamecock]

Being an officer is not a desk job.  As a Surface Warfare Officer, you'll get to do lots of cool things that I could describe, but you're not likely to understand.

Go to NAPS then the Naval Academy......you'll never regret your decision.

Cheers,
GC

[Longhornfan]

I second that motion.

[NukeLDO]

No brainer...take the Academy deal.  Either way, you'll work for a living, its a matter of what kind of work you want to do.  Enlisted, you'll be in the trenches performing repairs and maintenance, doing field day, etc.  As an officer, you get to lead all those endeavors as well as learn and do the tactical piece of the job.

[NukeNub]

Academy.

[Fermi2]

Academy

[vagabond]

Go to the academy.  During your summers you will be able to go to different parts of the Naval communities.  Based on that you can decide which one you want to join, or just experience different things.  I don't know all the opportunities, but some would be to be on a surface ship, go to dive school, qualify parachute jumper, and you could also see the Nuclear community on a carrier. 

It's not a desk job.  Like a few have said already, it's a supervisory role leading evolutions.  Take the chance to go to a great school!  Good luck!

[xobxdoc]

Without a doubt take the Academy if it is offered. My nephew is in his 2nd year there. He was offered a full scholarship to Vanderbilt but opted for the Academy and never regretted it. Having that on your resume sets you apart from others. There are several ring knockers where I work and they all do very well. Good luck.

[Xenon_Free]

Okay, with those tough choices I'm going to go out on a limb and offer this advice:  Stop asking complete strangers, regardless of their intellegence or experience, on what you should do with your life.  Few of us have had such "difficult" decisions to make - hmm "Should I go to the Naval Academy or should I work my a$$ off as an enlisted puke?"  Clearly, you are a high school senior and I appreciate your willingness to come to a website like this and ask a question... it just seems your question is just balderdash and didn't need to be asked.

I completely respect your service to this country, for that I say Thank You... but why would you ask such an obvious question?  It equates to me someone asking "I was going to get my theoretical physics degree or I was going to work for Pizza Hut as a cashier - what do you think?"

[Xenon_Free]

and before anyone says anything I am NOT equating "Enlisted = Pizza Hut Cashier"  it was ONLY an analogy.  I was an "enlisted puke" on a sub... 6 years.

[NukeNub]

That's ok, I think Pizza Hut cashier is a valid analogy in comparison to a spot at the Academy. A bit dramatic, but you make your point.

[Gavrilova]

Thanks for the advice, the reason I asked was because the way I see it either way I would make enough money, however i've met a lot of officers and i have yet to respect any of them. I would hate to become like that, and I'm not saying all officers are idiots, just all the ones that i've met. You have been there thats why i asked. If I just enlist and it sucks i can live with that cause it was my choice and i'll just have to suck it up and live with it. But if i go to the academy and i hate it I'll think "i never wanted to go here why did I choose this".

[Marlin]

Thanks for the advice, the reason I asked was because the way I see it either way I would make enough money, however i've met a lot of officers and i have yet to respect any of them. I would hate to become like that, and I'm not saying all officers are idiots, just all the ones that i've met. You have been there thats why i asked. If I just enlist and it sucks i can live with that cause it was my choice and i'll just have to suck it up and live with it. But if i go to the academy and i hate it I'll think "i never wanted to go here why did I choose this".

Hmmmm... I had the opportunity to go to the academy and declined for some of the reasons you just put forward. That and it was the Vietnam era. It was a large mistake. Most of the people who have responded to you have been there and done that and if you were a wise woman you might heed their words. There is no doubt that there are officers who have an inflated opinion of themselves but there is no lack of them in the enlisted ranks. The Navy is a commitment to service and sacrifice I don't think you have a clear view of this and it may be best for you and the Navy if you do not apply, men may depend on your decisions and someone without commitment is not who we want making these decisions.

A little harsh, maybe, but you need to look at the whole picture. You may even want to reconsider enlisting.

[Preciousblue1965]

Remember.....

"It's not just a job, it's an ADVENTURE"

Think of it in these terms.  What would be cooler?

A.  Getting told to push the button to launch tomahawk missles and pushing that button.

B.  Being the person who ultimately gets to decide if and when to order the above person to push the button by uttering the simple word  "FIRE"

[retired nuke]

In this instance, I would recommend that the young lady give strong consideration to the Academy. Further research would also be recommended for her, as the decision is a large one.

Good luck, and thanks for your service Gav, whichever path you choose. 

[withroaj]

... i've met a lot of officers and i have yet to respect any of them...

Hmmm...  I wonder who would post to (or even moderate) the Navy Nuke section of a site called www.nukeworker.com...

[G-reg]

For whatever it's worth...

I was an enlisted Nuke for 20 years, and I'm very proud of the job I did there.  However, if any of my own children were to express interest in joining the nuclear Navy, I would encourage them to personally start out by vying for the Naval Academy.

- Greg