Hello!
Congratulations on an awesome site, and tool for those of us looking to grow up and get a real job someday!
I have a dilema that I figured I'd throw out there and see if there are any words of wisdom to be had.
I am a nuke ET (surface) E-6. I've been in for about 11 years. My EAOS is December 2008. (Never to early to start planning, right?)
My problem is this. I am currently stationed on a carrier, whos schedule has me deploying overseas beginning in May, 2008, and returning around the end of November, 2008. Feedback I've been getting from my chain of command leads me to believe that there is no guarantee that I'd get any sort of reprieve to come home early, so that essentially leaves me with 3-4 weeks of being home for separations leave, where I'd be available for face to face interviews. Frankly, that scares me to death having such a short window to find a job, but I am intent on getting out this time around.
An obvious option, although not necessarily optimal, would be to extend for a month or two, in order to have more time available.
I am interested in finding out what other options I might have. Is it possible that short window would be enough time to find a good job and secure it? Is it possible to do the bulk of the interview process while out to sea over the internet? Is it possible to secure a postion, say, just before the deployment, to commence work six or seven months later?
These are the things that are mulling about in my brain.
I'm especially interested to hear from anyone who works at the Prairie Island Plant, or Monticello Plant, as either would be my first choice for work. I'm open to other options as well, and have a few different directions I could go. I am open to operations, maintenance, and also hold a 3377 NEC as a nuclear planner, although I'd prefer operations/maintenance.
Sorry, I got off track for a second. I'm just worried about what will amount to being the biggest transition I've had to go through, with a wife and a couple young ones to worry about as well, I want to do this right, and assure my family that I can make this work.
Thanks for your time!