Little more detail on Nukes

[prop827]

Originally Posted by BloodyPheonix

Thanks Prop, that clears things up for me quite a lot. One last question, how does advancement look into E-5 and E-6?

Advancement to E-5, for the most part, sucks. Here's the deal, as nukes we are eligible for STAR Reenlistment. Part of that program is that you automatically put on E-5 and get E-5 pay the day you decide to STAR. TONS of nukes do this. So you can get E-5 easy once you STAR for 2 more years (making your contract 8 years). You are able to STAR once you have arrived at your first duty station and have qualified either Submarine Warfare (Dolphins) or Surface Warfare (Cutlasses). The bad news is, every cycle the navy says 'we need X number of 2nd class nuke MMs, EMs, and ETs. They then say 'ok, well we picked up Y number through STAR re-enlistments this cycle, so now we only need (X-Y).' So if you want E-5 without STAR Re-Enlisting it is really tough cause there aren't very many spots open.

E-6 is on the other foot though, people get out right quick after their STAR is up cause civilian pay is so good, so nukes make E-6 and Chief very quickly. Overall advancement as a nuke is awesome, you just get a little stymied trying to get E-5 without reenlisting. But that is only temporary. 1st Class and Chief come real quick. An 8 Year Chief is not uncommon in the nuke world, and the vast majority are 10 Year Chiefs. Other ratings, the projection for 1st class can be up to 20 years in some cases.

[warehimer33]

Thank you so much, Prop!! I've been looking for this info everywhere and only seem to find it from random sources. But you're a source I trust, obviously. So do you regret going nuke at all?

[prop827]

Originally Posted by warehimer33

Thank you so much, Prop!! I've been looking for this info everywhere and only seem to find it from random sources. But you're a source I trust, obviously. So do you regret going nuke at all?

No, I really don't regret it at all. Nuclear power is really fascinating and interesting to know about. Its one of those things people on the outside don't understand but you know how it works in such detail that you're comfortable around it. Civilians are afraid of a nuke plant and here we are just like 'dude, my rack is on the other side of the bulkhead of a critical reactor. we're fine. We know what we're doing."

Its a good job and I enjoy it. I'm also very thankful the navy didn't give me my first choice of rate too. In boot when asked what rates we wanted my dream sheet was ET, EM, MM (in order of preference) and I was assigned to be an EM. Now on the other side of the training and now that I know what these rates really do, boy do I LOVE being an electrician instead of a twidget!

[Temen]

If you don't take the STAR Reenlistment, is it possible to miss your first E-5 exam due to still being in school? Then again, sounds like it'd be very rare to make it your first few tests. Definitely would need a good eval.

[prop827]

Originally Posted by Temen

If you don't take the STAR Reenlistment, is it possible to miss your first E-5 exam due to still being in school? Then again, sounds like it'd be very rare to make it your first few tests. Definitely would need a good eval.

No, you take your E-5 exam even if you are still in school once you have time in rate. Virtually no one advances while in school and on average it takes 5-6 exam cycles (or more) to advance off the test without STAR. (that's 2-3 years worth of tests, there's one exam every 6 months)

[LT Guppy]

Originally Posted by Temen

If you don't take the STAR Reenlistment, is it possible to miss your first E-5 exam due to still being in school? Then again, sounds like it'd be very rare to make it your first few tests. Definitely would need a good eval.

Everyone in the navy takes the exam on the same day. So if you're deployed, or home, or wherever, you still take it.

[Double 00 Jetti]

Originally Posted by prop827

No, I really don't regret it at all. Nuclear power is really fascinating and interesting to know about. Its one of those things people on the outside don't understand but you know how it works in such detail that you're comfortable around it. Civilians are afraid of a nuke plant and here we are just like 'dude, my rack is on the other side of the bulkhead of a critical reactor. we're fine. We know what we're doing."

Its a good job and I enjoy it. I'm also very thankful the navy didn't give me my first choice of rate too. In boot when asked what rates we wanted my dream sheet was ET, EM, MM (in order of preference) and I was assigned to be an EM. Now on the other side of the training and now that I know what these rates really do, boy do I LOVE being an electrician instead of a twidget!

thanks prop for all the information. it has been really helpful. i just got told today that i got accepted into the nuke program and now im just waiting for a ship date! I had to get an age waiver because im about to be 26 this month. Also I have a degree in electronics engineering so i am hoping to go ETn.

Anyway, I noticed you also wanted ETn but said you were glad you got EMn instead. I could go either way but im not sure which to pick because no one will tell me what each one actually does AFTER school lol .

I was hoping you could enlighten me. Why are you glad you got EMn over ETn?

[scott.henry]

Originally Posted by Double 00 Jetti

thanks prop for all the information. it has been really helpful. i just got told today that i got accepted into the nuke program and now im just waiting for a ship date! I had to get an age waiver because im about to be 26 this month. Also I have a degree in electronics engineering so i am hoping to go ETn.

Anyway, I noticed you also wanted ETn but said you were glad you got EMn instead. I could go either way but im not sure which to pick because no one will tell me what each one actually does AFTER school lol .

I was hoping you could enlighten me. Why are you glad you got EMn over ETn?

Here's the scoop on what each rate does when they actually get to the Fleet. This is mostly from a submarine perspective, but it's similar on the surface.

EM: EM's are responsible for everything electrical on a submarine. If it has electricity running to it, E-Div is responsible for maintaining it. This includes every motor and generator on the boat, all of the galley equipment, water heaters, lighting, circuit breakers and electrical distribution systems, and more. A new electrician on the boat will work toward qualification as Electrical Operator. This is the person responsible for operating the electric plant when the propulsion plant is up and running. Prior to that qualification, junior electricians will stand watch as Throttleman or Auxiliary Electrician. EM's also qualify as a Shutdown Reactor Operator. Electricians ALWAYS have maintenance to do because they are responsible for so much equipment. A lot of that maintenance results in getting covered in carbon dust.

ET: ET's are responsible for everything having to do with reactor instrumentation and control. Any piece of equipment related to those things will be maintained by ET's. This involves periodic testing of the equipment to ensure proper response to ensure reactor safety. New ET's will work toward qualification as Reactor Operator. They are the ones sitting at the panel when the plant is up and running. ET's also qualify as Shutdown Reactor Operator. Prior to those qualifications ET's qualify and stand watch as Reactor Technician, monitoring all of the reactor control equipment outside the maneuvering room.

MM: God's chosen rate. MM's operate and maintain all mechanical equipment associated with the propulsion plant. This includes pumps, valves, heat exchangers, and turbines. They also operate the air conditioning units. They work on steam, lube oil, and seawater systems as well. MM's get pretty dirty in the course of their work. the goal for new MM's on the boat is to qualify as Engine Room Supervisor. Prior to that you will qualify several other mechanical watchstations. (3 or 4 depending on the class of boat.)

Engineering Laboratory Technician (ELT): ELT's are a branch off of the MM rate. Following Prototype, some MM's will be selected to go to ELT school before they go to their first boat. Most are volunteers but, in my case, I was "volun-told" to go. ELT's have 2 main functions. First is chemistry. ELT's take water samples from various systems in the plant at the required frequencies and analyze them for various chemical parameters. They then make the necessary adjustments to keep theses parameters within the required specification. Pretty much like a pool boy. Their second function is radiological controls (RADCON). This involves performing radiation and contamination surveys throughout the ship on a routine basis, controlling any radioactive material generated during maintenance, and responding to any radiological casualties that may occur such as radioactive liquid spills. Since ELT's are MM's, they will qualify and stand all of the normal MM watches.