Not sure about NF anymore?

BloodyPheonix · 10-09-2014, 08:29 PM

If you want to be a lifer I would not go Nuke. Nukes are beaten like dogs through training and pumped with a lot of elitist stuff about the program to attempt to rationalize the suck. The reactor doesn't have an off switch so someone has to keep an eye on it, even in port. Nukes often don't get to go on a port call if they do it's rather short. Most people deal with it to get out of the Navy and get a civie job with great pay. I'd consider putting in a DAR to switch rates if you are already having doubts. So that's my usual soapbox speech.

Answering your questions.

1. Command wise nukes don't get treated differently. However I've seen stuff on the forums around the web about other sailors disliking Nukes because they're nukes. This is largely dependent on individual experience so I don't put much stock in it but it is out there. Traveling you will do, but seeing the places you travel to is luck.

2. There is a high number of unhappy nukes on the web but not so many unhappy MAs or HMs so I think there is a lot to dislike within the program. I have speculations on why that is but I won't get into it.

3. It's hard to find long timers in the NF so I can't share information there. My research shows that once a Nuke always a nuke if you make it through training the only way out is a body bag or discharge.

I tried to be brief I can expand on some stuff if asked specifically. I'm not a nuke just had a lot of time to data mine.

rouhanashi · 10-10-2014, 05:55 AM

Hmmm, I thought so. :/ every time I bring up changing my rating, my recruiter doesn't take me seriously. He just says to stick it through for the money and change my rating later, buuuut... I don't think he knows I can't. I'll try and talk to him again, but thank you guys!
One last question though. If I do ask to submit a DAR, how does that work? I still have nine months left in my DEP period, and my recruiter said I would be given a rating based on what opens up when DEPers leave. Would I be given a choice in rating?

BloodyPheonix · 10-10-2014, 09:12 AM

From what I understand you fill out the form and your recruiter submits it to someone higher up than them. Then your DAR goes in a stack. Whoever handles them gets word when someone drops out of dep or changes their contract so they are no longer shipping at that time/ with that rate. That person picks some DARs off the top of the stack and offers it to the recruiter responsible for that Depper. Recruiters call those Deppers and get a yes or no on whether the deppers wants that contract. First recruiter to call back with a yes gets the contract. If you say no to the rate/date you get put at the bottom of the stack. Every month the person handling DARs tosses all of the previous months DARs so it is imperative that you make sure your recruiter resubmits your DAR every month. Getting a DAR really depends on how many flakes there are in your general region(I guess) and how open you are to other rates. Good luck man.

Also I don't really recommend doing this but if you get down to the last few weeks with no DAR and you are still having doubts, you can walk away. Your recruiter will be pissed but until you sign the final contract before you leave MEPs on your ship date you don't have a legal obligation to the Navy.

sweetmtn · 10-10-2014, 10:11 AM

OK,,, First let me ask you if you REALLY love mathematical thinking...nukes are chosen as they have a high aptitude for that. The training time is VERY stressful if you don't do well in the calculations..many get dropped from nuke in training as it is very intense. My son was a nuke....he loved his job as an MM nuke, just not the atmosphere, in fact that he is now a civilian he basically does the same job, just not as a nuke. He now works for a large power company and at age 27 has bought his first house...he lives in Texas.
As for port calls, YES, nukes do get to go on port calls just like everyone else on the ship, however the entire department cant leave all together. They rotate out so some are still there to make sure the reactors are working properly.
I suggest you read all the posts in the nuke section, I have posted many there about my son and what he went through..it wasn't pleasant by any stretch of the imagination. Yes my son got out with a full honorable discharge, but he did have issues do to his job. Thankfully since he has been out he is back to his normal self and very happy, but it took well over a year for him to come back normal. My son like many nukes (5 others on his ship in his department had the same issues within 3 months) attempted suicide twice while active duty.
Remember this is YOUR life not your recruiters...if you cant see doing this sort of job for 6 years and in your case as a career...change now while you still can.

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10-09-2014, 08:29 PM	#1
BloodyPheonix Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 139 Rep Power: 0	If you want to be a lifer I would not go Nuke. Nukes are beaten like dogs through training and pumped with a lot of elitist stuff about the program to attempt to rationalize the suck. The reactor doesn't have an off switch so someone has to keep an eye on it, even in port. Nukes often don't get to go on a port call if they do it's rather short. Most people deal with it to get out of the Navy and get a civie job with great pay. I'd consider putting in a DAR to switch rates if you are already having doubts. So that's my usual soapbox speech. Answering your questions. 1. Command wise nukes don't get treated differently. However I've seen stuff on the forums around the web about other sailors disliking Nukes because they're nukes. This is largely dependent on individual experience so I don't put much stock in it but it is out there. Traveling you will do, but seeing the places you travel to is luck. 2. There is a high number of unhappy nukes on the web but not so many unhappy MAs or HMs so I think there is a lot to dislike within the program. I have speculations on why that is but I won't get into it. 3. It's hard to find long timers in the NF so I can't share information there. My research shows that once a Nuke always a nuke if you make it through training the only way out is a body bag or discharge. I tried to be brief I can expand on some stuff if asked specifically. I'm not a nuke just had a lot of time to data mine.

10-10-2014, 05:55 AM	#2
rouhanashi Newbie Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Arlington, TX Posts: 23 Rep Power: 0	Hmmm, I thought so. :/ every time I bring up changing my rating, my recruiter doesn't take me seriously. He just says to stick it through for the money and change my rating later, buuuut... I don't think he knows I can't. I'll try and talk to him again, but thank you guys! One last question though. If I do ask to submit a DAR, how does that work? I still have nine months left in my DEP period, and my recruiter said I would be given a rating based on what opens up when DEPers leave. Would I be given a choice in rating?

10-10-2014, 09:12 AM	#3
BloodyPheonix Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 139 Rep Power: 0	From what I understand you fill out the form and your recruiter submits it to someone higher up than them. Then your DAR goes in a stack. Whoever handles them gets word when someone drops out of dep or changes their contract so they are no longer shipping at that time/ with that rate. That person picks some DARs off the top of the stack and offers it to the recruiter responsible for that Depper. Recruiters call those Deppers and get a yes or no on whether the deppers wants that contract. First recruiter to call back with a yes gets the contract. If you say no to the rate/date you get put at the bottom of the stack. Every month the person handling DARs tosses all of the previous months DARs so it is imperative that you make sure your recruiter resubmits your DAR every month. Getting a DAR really depends on how many flakes there are in your general region(I guess) and how open you are to other rates. Good luck man. Also I don't really recommend doing this but if you get down to the last few weeks with no DAR and you are still having doubts, you can walk away. Your recruiter will be pissed but until you sign the final contract before you leave MEPs on your ship date you don't have a legal obligation to the Navy.

10-10-2014, 10:11 AM	#4
sweetmtn Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: N. CA Posts: 3,792 Rep Power: 0	OK,,, First let me ask you if you REALLY love mathematical thinking...nukes are chosen as they have a high aptitude for that. The training time is VERY stressful if you don't do well in the calculations..many get dropped from nuke in training as it is very intense. My son was a nuke....he loved his job as an MM nuke, just not the atmosphere, in fact that he is now a civilian he basically does the same job, just not as a nuke. He now works for a large power company and at age 27 has bought his first house...he lives in Texas. As for port calls, YES, nukes do get to go on port calls just like everyone else on the ship, however the entire department cant leave all together. They rotate out so some are still there to make sure the reactors are working properly. I suggest you read all the posts in the nuke section, I have posted many there about my son and what he went through..it wasn't pleasant by any stretch of the imagination. Yes my son got out with a full honorable discharge, but he did have issues do to his job. Thankfully since he has been out he is back to his normal self and very happy, but it took well over a year for him to come back normal. My son like many nukes (5 others on his ship in his department had the same issues within 3 months) attempted suicide twice while active duty. Remember this is YOUR life not your recruiters...if you cant see doing this sort of job for 6 years and in your case as a career...change now while you still can.