nukes in boot camp

prop827 · 04-01-2012, 01:32 PM

BTW, nukes aren't "required" to take second class exam, just most do because we're allowed to, and it doesn't hurt. Even if you don't advance off it, you get points from having a previous exam the next time you go up for the test. Only 1 or 2 usually advance before the fleet off the exam. If you get staff pickup at prototype and sign the 2 year extension you get automatic E5 and can start taking the test for E6 sooner plus get the big old bonus for extending. If you wait to extend til you're in the fleet and you happen to sign your extension while on deployment in a combat zone (ie the Gulf) you'll get that sweet old bonus TAX FREE

sweetmtn · 04-02-2012, 12:45 AM

Just understand that if you make that high of rank(E5 or above) prior to getting to fleet, many of those you will work with once you do get to fleet wont really have much respect for you. They dont feel you have put the time in and done the hard work to get there....just saying for MANY MANY of my family and friends who are in fleet. I hear this alot at many family functions...hmmm lets see, my son was a nuke, my nephew had 20 years in was a linguist, my sisters husband(he ended up CIA), my sisters father in law was a ships doctor, and my uncle Commander Donald Gary,(deceased)...that is the navy side, the other half is army...you dont want to be at our house during the navy army football games!

prop827 · 04-03-2012, 08:44 AM

That is a somewhat true statement, when you get to the fleet, you aren't treated the same as the other E4, E5, E6's as a nuke at first, at least not until after you're qualified to stand watches and have your warfare qualifications. Once you have your Cutlasses or Dolphins and you are fully qualified to stand watch (ie, after about a year) you'll get respect, but not until then. The bottom line though, in my humble opinion, is that you're getting the E4 E5 E6 pay. Its the money that really matters at that point, the respect and quals will come, its the dollars and cents that matter.

sweetmtn · 04-03-2012, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prop827

That is a somewhat true statement, when you get to the fleet, you aren't treated the same as the other E4, E5, E6's as a nuke at first, at least not until after you're qualified to stand watches and have your warfare qualifications. Once you have your Cutlasses or Dolphins and you are fully qualified to stand watch (ie, after about a year) you'll get respect, but not until then. The bottom line though, in my humble opinion, is that you're getting the E4 E5 E6 pay. Its the money that really matters at that point, the respect and quals will come, its the dollars and cents that matter.

I would disagree, as the money cant make up for having a real hard time. Stress can really be hard on nukes, and getting someone to sign off on your quals becomes another matter, generally nukes get their quals done in 18 months, longer in some cases as some quals cannot be done unless you are on deployment. So if you get to a ship that has just returned, you are screwed til it goes again in about 18 to 24 months later, longer if it has to go into docks for major maintenance.

04-01-2012, 01:32 PM	#1
prop827 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 633 Rep Power: 0	BTW, nukes aren't "required" to take second class exam, just most do because we're allowed to, and it doesn't hurt. Even if you don't advance off it, you get points from having a previous exam the next time you go up for the test. Only 1 or 2 usually advance before the fleet off the exam. If you get staff pickup at prototype and sign the 2 year extension you get automatic E5 and can start taking the test for E6 sooner plus get the big old bonus for extending. If you wait to extend til you're in the fleet and you happen to sign your extension while on deployment in a combat zone (ie the Gulf) you'll get that sweet old bonus TAX FREE

04-02-2012, 12:45 AM	#2
sweetmtn Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: N. CA Posts: 3,792 Rep Power: 0	Just understand that if you make that high of rank(E5 or above) prior to getting to fleet, many of those you will work with once you do get to fleet wont really have much respect for you. They dont feel you have put the time in and done the hard work to get there....just saying for MANY MANY of my family and friends who are in fleet. I hear this alot at many family functions...hmmm lets see, my son was a nuke, my nephew had 20 years in was a linguist, my sisters husband(he ended up CIA), my sisters father in law was a ships doctor, and my uncle Commander Donald Gary,(deceased)...that is the navy side, the other half is army...you dont want to be at our house during the navy army football games!

04-03-2012, 08:44 AM	#3
prop827 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 633 Rep Power: 0	That is a somewhat true statement, when you get to the fleet, you aren't treated the same as the other E4, E5, E6's as a nuke at first, at least not until after you're qualified to stand watches and have your warfare qualifications. Once you have your Cutlasses or Dolphins and you are fully qualified to stand watch (ie, after about a year) you'll get respect, but not until then. The bottom line though, in my humble opinion, is that you're getting the E4 E5 E6 pay. Its the money that really matters at that point, the respect and quals will come, its the dollars and cents that matter.