Opportunity Cost

[OatmealRenegade]

I'm seeking input from experienced sailors regarding the quality of life that can be expected for anyone like myself.
I have a lot going on, so will bullet topics which may be helpful to discuss:

-I'm 28 years old, in DEP for over 2 years, so I'm reconsidering my age as a factor which wasn't as important 2 years ago

-I'd like to meet my partner and begin a family before I'm 34 (personal preference), and I don't think the nuke life will be conducive to that

-I have a bachelor's degree but became jobless, so I joined the Navy for security

-I'm not a workaholic and I enjoy variety from day to day

-It stands to reason that if I contribute an effort (as a civilian) equal to that which would be given to the Navy, then I will find myself in an equivalent career position in 6 years (but with my choice of career)



Is there anything I seem to be missing as to the value of becoming a nuke? My recruiter is aware of my apprehensions in terms of giving up "life path A" for "life path B" and has counseled me on the possibility of becoming a non-nuke Reservist.

[kforbs126]

Originally Posted by OatmealRenegade

I'm seeking input from experienced sailors regarding the quality of life that can be expected for anyone like myself.
I have a lot going on, so will bullet topics which may be helpful to discuss:

-I'm 28 years old, in DEP for over 2 years, so I'm reconsidering my age as a factor which wasn't as important 2 years ago

-I'd like to meet my partner and begin a family before I'm 34 (personal preference), and I don't think the nuke life will be conducive to that

-I have a bachelor's degree but became jobless, so I joined the Navy for security

-I'm not a workaholic and I enjoy variety from day to day

-It stands to reason that if I contribute an effort (as a civilian) equal to that which would be given to the Navy, then I will find myself in an equivalent career position in 6 years (but with my choice of career)



Is there anything I seem to be missing as to the value of becoming a nuke? My recruiter is aware of my apprehensions in terms of giving up "life path A" for "life path B" and has counseled me on the possibility of becoming a non-nuke Reservist.

If you don't like to work more than 40 hours a week I'd suggest not joining the Navy. I'm not a Nuke but this goes for almost any rate. You will work a lot. Monday thru Friday. Working hours are 0700 to 1600 usually a lot longer than that. Weekends just add more hours if you have duty or are required to work. Underway of course it's 24/7. You won't get much variety as your days will probably be mostly the same. A lot of people compare being underway as the movie groundhog day.

[sweetmtn]

Depends on what you want as far as a job/career as a civilian. My son was a nuke and as a civilian he now makes a great income doing pretty much what he did as a nukeMM, but not on a nuclear reactor. He just bought his first house and new truck. He is a plant mechanic for Owens/Corning in TX, has regular hours, overtime if he wants it, weekends off, great benefits, paid vacation and a retirement plan. He is actually very happy now..he wasnt while active duty nuke. He did however meet his future bride while serving, she was navy also as a MA. He is taking more college now to finish getting his engineering degree so he can become the plant manager.

[Atom_breaker]

Originally Posted by sweetmtn

Depends on what you want as far as a job/career as a civilian. My son was a nuke and as a civilian he now makes a great income doing pretty much what he did as a nukeMM, but not on a nuclear reactor. He just bought his first house and new truck. He is a plant mechanic for Owens/Corning in TX, has regular hours, overtime if he wants it, weekends off, great benefits, paid vacation and a retirement plan. He is actually very happy now..he wasnt while active duty nuke. He did however meet his future bride while serving, she was navy also as a MA. He is taking more college now to finish getting his engineering degree so he can become the plant manager.

Was he able to use any credits from the Nuke pipeline?

[sweetmtn]

Yes my son was allowed to use the credits from the nuke pipeline..he needed English and History and Civics for a general degree..lol..he was shocked to find that even boot camp gave him 1 credit! For PE

One thing he now wishes he had listened to MOM...he should have CAD tested out of those classes while in the navy, as the navy would have paid for the testing..now he had to pay! So now he is going to take his engineering classes in the fall.

[OatmealRenegade]

Interesting input, sweetmtn. I have seen several of your posts regarding the unhappy service which nonetheless led to happy results.

[HM_Duke]

[QUOTE=he should have CAD tested out of ...[/QUOTE]

CAD or CLEP? Never heard of CAD testing. I intend to CLEP out of many college courses toward a pre-med.

[blitz023]

Some advice to ponder on.

Working for an employer as a civilian or military will require you to commit your time regardless of variety. Most of the time you will be working on the same thing over and over. It is not about variety, it is about what brings food on the table.

Finding your partner will always have its time, the person will just appear out of nowhere. Remember though that it is also a life long commitment just like a job.

I suggest decide your career first, work your way up, I am 90% sure you will meet your partner along the way, not unless you are very picky. Establish yourself first then get married on the right time. It will work much easier. Trust me I have been in this situation and I wish I could have changed my past decisions.

Good luck!

[sweetmtn]

Originally Posted by OatmealRenegade

Interesting input, sweetmtn. I have seen several of your posts regarding the unhappy service which nonetheless led to happy results.

Dont get me wrong..it is true my son did not have a great time while in the navy..HOWEVER, he LOVED the job, just not many of the people. He found way too many that were back stabbers, thieves, liars and many down right lazy. Yet all his evals averaged mostly 5's and the "must promote" stated. Probably why he has done very well out of the navy as well and promotes fast and gets faster raises.

[sweetmtn]

Originally Posted by HM_Duke

CAD or CLEP? Never heard of CAD testing. I intend to CLEP out of many college courses toward a pre-med.

You are right..sorry, its been a long week here at home. CAD testing is something I have to do at my work...