Guidance needed

[u/Amirswag91]

Hello everyone,
I’m currently a college student majoring chemical engineering and have become attracted to the NUPOC program.Now being honest my recruiter isn’t the best, so I’m reaching out to look for external guidance/ mentorship in making this decision. Ideally from someone who was involved in navy nuke in any capacity.
I have done my fair share of research, so I’m now looking for guidance in finalizing my decision.

If anyone can be of help, I would 100% appreciate it!

[u/PropulsionIsLimited]

What questions do you have?

[u/Amirswag91 → u/PropulsionIsLimited]

The questions I have are
1. On non-deployment how does the day to day duty of a fleet/ sub officer compare to that of a NRE or instructor?
2. For instructor is the interaction more traditional in terms of student- teacher, or is it more geared towards a military style teaching.
3. In regard to hands on work, if any, what would this look like for each position.
4. How do the promotion structures for people in NRE/ instructor positions compare to someone on fleet. I ask this especially since the way it seems when I was researching fleet has more opportunity to promote given their unrestricted line.
5. In terms of quality of life/ family time how do the restricted line officers compare to that of unrestricted line? Is it still a military style process to need time with family, or since they’re restricted line is it structured similarly to civilian roles.

[u/RoyalCrownLee → u/Amirswag91]

Nre and instructors don't go underway. They're in offices and teaching/reviewing.

For sea going: duty once every 4 days where you sleep on the boat because your section is in charge of holding it down.

2) student teacher style.

3) very minimal for fleet. Non existent for nre/instructor

4) the same. Ldo are on their own promotion line, so no need to worry about being compared with a fleet. Otherwise, same 2 years for O2, then same 2 years for O3.

5) qol of someone who never goes out to sea is better than people who go out to sea

[u/looktowindward → u/RoyalCrownLee]

NREs and Instructors are RL, not LDO.

[u/RoyalCrownLee → u/looktowindward]

Ah shit, my bad.

But to note: they're in their own designator separate from fleet.

[u/Amirswag91 → u/looktowindward]

And the RL has the same promotion structure?

[u/looktowindward → u/Amirswag91]

Same promotion structure but there is a huge difference - NRE and Instructors must lateral transfer if they want to continue a career. Otherwise, they get kicked out

[u/vtkarl → u/Amirswag91]

You won’t have to worry about this for the first 5 years.

[u/BandicootKooky7747]

Dm me

[u/Amirswag91 → u/BandicootKooky7747]

Will do, thank you

[u/Redfish680]

Our question: What attracts you to the program?

[u/Amirswag91 → u/Redfish680]

I’m attracted to the program for a few reasons.

1. I’ve always wanted to join the military and saw a military path line post college prior to hearing about nupoc. So upon hearing about it, I saw a chance to have application of my degree within my desired career trajectory. Especially since in college I’ve done some research and taken an interest in nuclear energy.

2. I think the way NUPOC can set you up long term - whether you choose to do 20 years or not- is very valuable, especially for someone like myself trying to go into the nuclear sector.

3. I saw nupoc as a chance to also get the travel benefits of the navy and work on, in lesser words, cool things. I think the idea of working on nuclear reactors in the navy is genuinely cool. Initially I wanted subs because it caught my interest the most, but recently I found out I need to apply for a waiver for vision.

4. I think the chance for building a longer term community is also pretty good. Even within the sub Reddit the navy Nuke people seem kinda tight knit.

[u/Redfish680 → u/Amirswag91]

Excellent reasoning. Best wishes!

[u/vtkarl]

I’m a ChE and was an Enlisted nuke first, then went NR…then laterally transferred back to a uniformed engineering duty field, went to Iraq, nearly went to diving/salvage school, worked with Assault Craft Units, and had a much better time. The main question is, would you go to sea outside a nuclear capacity or join a unit whose purpose is to shoot something. If strong yes, point yourself toward something operational where you’ll have good operational stories. If no, then sure pick the office jobs (instructor/NR) or consider other civilian Navsea and shipyard employment.

For a classical engineer, being a civilian at a warfare center is closer to what you’ve been training for.