What is life like for a Nuke in the Navy?

2023-06-23T16:26:22-04:00

My nephew is wanting to join the Navy (woohoo!) and is looking at being a Nuc. (He didn't say WHICH nuc he wanted to be.) So, of course, he called his Navy Auntie. But here is my problem. I was a brown shoe. We didn't really encounter nucs off ship (ya known, in the wild!). And even then they always seemed kind of a mystery to us. Plus, I got out in '06. I have no recent tales to tell. Can anybody tell me what to tell him about life on board ship & on shore for nucs? THANKS!

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Jun 23 at 2023 4:32 PM

2023-06-23T16:32:41-04:00

PO3 Carole Shrontz Smartest People in the Navy, A Little Bit Geeks but Very Smart Sailors. Options? Not a Lot, Since the Nuclear Cruisers that I Served on are No More. Aircraft Carriers, Submarines, Shore Based Flag Offices and Shore Based Instructor Duty. Hopefully Claustrophobia isn't a Problem for Him because My Guess He will be assigned to a Sub after some Extensive Schooling. The Reason the Initial Enlistment is for 6 Years is because of the length of the School. Good Advancement from what I've Seen. You can Make Chief with 2 Hash Marks.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 24 at 2023 1:05 AM

2023-06-24T01:05:45-04:00

https://www.pilotonline.com/2023/06/20/navy-offers-75000-for-recruits-who-pursue-nuclear-jobs/

Navy offers $75,000 for recruits who pursue nuclear jobs

The bonus will apply to future sailors pursuing one of three rates: electronics technician nuclear, machinist’s make nuclear and electrician’s mate nuclear.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 24 at 2023 1:08 AM

2023-06-24T01:08:09-04:00

https://www.navy.com/careers/electronics-technician-nuclear

U.S. Navy Electronics Technician Careers | Navy.com

If math and science make your heart race, you might have the makings of an Electronics Technician Nuclear. Get hands-on experience and potential sign-on bonuses.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 24 at 2023 1:08 AM

2023-06-24T01:08:20-04:00

https://www.navy.com/nuclear

U.S. Navy Machinist's Mate Nuclear Careers | Navy.com

Nuclear Machinist's Mates are the Navy’s nuclear reactor mechanics. Learn the skills to maintain a nuclear-powered ship. Learn about opportunities and bonuses.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 24 at 2023 1:09 AM

2023-06-24T01:09:46-04:00

https://www.navy.com/careers/electricians-mate-nuclear

U.S. Navy Electrician’s Mate Career | Navy.com

Electrician’s Mate Nuclear do work in the world of nuclear science, powering the strongest Navy on earth. Learn about careers and enlistment bonuses.

Response by PO3 Carole Shrontz made Jun 25 at 2023 5:50 PM

2023-06-25T17:50:11-04:00

I appreciate the links, but I was looking for "real life" info. We all know that what is in the brochure isn't exactly and accurate description of what really goes on.

Response by PO3 Thomas Lawrence made Jul 11 at 2023 12:07 AM

2023-07-11T00:07:18-04:00

I have been out of the nuke Navy for more than 40 years so this might not be relevant now. As a Nuke Machinist Mate we were the first onboard before deploying and the last to leave when returning. I was qualified as Chief Machinery Operator. I was an E-4> In general with the Navy we had Cinderella liberty. Now the way I think is if I am responsible to be in charge of the engineroom then I should be responsible enough to be able to come in before we left port as the E-6 and above are. I didn't have any problems with getting aboard when we were supposed to but that Midnight curfew could put a crimp on plans. Why not punish those who need it and not punish those who don't. That is my 2 cents worth.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 11 at 2023 8:57 PM

2023-07-11T20:57:17-04:00

Hopefully your nephew can appreciate the education and experience like I had.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 11 at 2023 10:00 PM

2023-07-11T22:00:21-04:00

I began as an Enlisted Machinist's Mate and completed a 10-year enlisted career as an operations supervisor in the Naval Nuclear Propulsion program. A sailor’s rating is a highly-specialized occupation that requires training and demonstrating skills in their rate to a degree of experience needed to perform or supervise critical functions for the navy. My career in the Navy began with training that required intensive study in order to qualify for duty in operating reactor control, propulsion and power generation systems in nuclear propulsion plants aboard warships. I rose to become an experienced Chief Petty Officer recognized as a subject matter expert. Through education and experience, I had the opportunity to become a Commissioned Officer and serve in another career as a nuclear-trained officer before I retired.

The enlisted career began shortly after my graduation from high school when commercial nuclear power industry was booming. I took several examinations and was found fully qualified for entry into the Navy's nuclear field. I enlisted in the Navy (meaning I had a 6-year contractual agreement) and first had to complete the 9-weeks of recruit training at Naval Training Center, Orlando.

Rated as a nuclear-trained Machinist’s Mate, this was a mentally stimulating job that provided an opportunity to work closely with specialists in the nuclear, technology, and engineering fields. I was a Nuclear Power Operator Trainee. To administratively identify me as a recruit that had volunteered for nuclear propulsion training my Machinist's Mate Nuclear Propulsion Plant Operator Trainee NEC was 9901. Upon graduation from Boot Camp, I reported for training at Naval Training Center Great Lakes, IL for technical training at the Machinist's Mate “A” School. After 8-weeks of self-paced classroom studies and laboratory exercises with steam plant equipment, I spent a week of hands-on training learning to operate a shipboard 600-PSI steam plant before I was rated as a Machinist's Mate Third-Class upon graduation.

For the next 3 months, I served as a Navy Machinist's Mate onboard USS Orion AS-18 in the Submarine Tender's Administrative Department at Naval Station, Charleston, SC. I learned a few things about submarines and the nuclear-power Navy that I liked, as well as realizing that I wouldn't like the Navy as much if I didn't qualify as a "Nuke." Although both the non-nuclear and nuclear-trained Machinist's Mates were mechanics and machine operators that trained to operate and maintain engines and machinery used for ship propulsion and auxiliary machinery with no visible distinction on their uniform, other than assignment of their Navy Enlisted Classification (NEC). They both maintained auxiliary machinery outside of main machinery spaces, such as electro-hydraulic steering engines and elevators, refrigeration plants, air conditioning systems, and desalinization plants. While the equipment was similar, nuclear power training is required to grant a NEC in Nuclear Power.

I was a student at Nuclear Power School following a 6-week refresher course in math and physics. I was enrolled in the 24-week enlisted course at Nuclear Power School (NPS) in Orlando, FL. Here, I learned theory of nuclear physics with practical applications in reactor engineering and technology. The operator courses specialized in systems and components of a nuclear propulsion plant. I attended classes during lectures taking notes om my own to study after-hours and complete homework assignments to review each lesson. Comprehension was tested by written examinations. I recall that it was tough to keep up if you didn't study every night. Some of my classmates realized this too late or just didn't care enough to work for it.

I was a student at Nuclear Power Training Unit. Following NPS, I then attended the 26-week nuclear propulsion plant operator's course of instruction at Nuclear Power Training Unit (NPTU) Ballston Spa, NY. As a student in training to specialize as a mechanical operator, I was learning how to operate a real reactor at the land-based prototype for the Navy's first nuclear-powered guided missile cruiser. This involved a classroom study off-hull of operations, systems and components in this specific nuclear propulsion plant before taking written or oral examinations. Once our class was assigned to a rotating 12 hour shift in-hull, even more study was needed to prepare for hands-on training with an instructor on watch using the operational reactor prototype. I was considered qualified upon completion of all the qualification steps, then passing a final exam, performing to the qualification standards during the final evaluation watch, and passing with the required knowledge to answer questions demanded by a formal oral board with three qualified plant operators, one of which must be a civilian engineer or officer, another must be an in-rate operator, and a third could be cross-rate most likely is qualified as a watch supervisor. I was rated as Machinist's Mate Second-Class.

Once qualified, I was part of the watch team with the staff instructors in a nuclear power plant operating the installed reactor plant machinery and steam plant equipment used to generate steam to drive turbines for propulsion and electrical power generation until the rest of the class was qualified. My working hours were reduced to 8-hour shifts and I learned to maintain the equipment as a technician awarded a Surface Ship Nuclear Propulsion Plant Operator - Mechanical NEC 3385 to operate and perform organizational level maintenance on mechanical systems for surface ship nuclear propulsion plants.

The prototype model was unlike any school I knew of, this course required knowledge of theory to understand the sequencing of equipment startup or shut down by opening or closing valves, starting or stopping motor- and turbine-driven pumps, monitoring system level, pressure and temperature to direct fluids in the piping systems of the full-scale operating plant by operating all its associated turbine and heat exchangers components. As a nuclear-trained Machinist’s Mate, I became more involved with the supervision, operation, maintenance and administration of naval nuclear propulsion plants and associated equipment as my operational experince grew. My training had a provided me with a thorough understanding of reactor, electrical and mechanical theory involved in the operation of the nuclear reactor, steam plant, propulsion plant and auxiliary equipment.

Nuclear Power Training Unit Mechanical Operator and Staff Instructor. Because I was selected to serve as a Junior Staff Instructor upon graduation near the top of my class, I remained in Ballston Spa, NY. As a staff instructor, I was provided more extensive operator training along with additional technical experience gained from the on-site military and civilian staff while conducting nuclear operations by testing new equipment. Over a period of 24 months, I taught several crews of enlisted students working in hull how to become nuclear plant operators at the prototype in the same manner that I had been taught.

Operational Duty as an Enlisted Machinist's Mate (Surface Warfare) onboard USS NIMITZ CVN-68. In Reactor Department, I was a crewmember assigned for duty in the Reactor Mechanical Division for the next 48 months. Rated as Machinist's Mate First-Class, I quickly completed all of the subordinate watch qualifications required to become a Chief Reactor Watch, the senior in-rate mechanical supervisor for the reactor plant with five subordinate watches assigned. I was awarded a Surface Ship Nuclear Propulsion Plant Supervisor - Mechanical NEC 3395 when I was fully qualified by virtue of seniority, experience and demonstrated proficiency (including the specified Chief Reactor Watch and Shutdown Roving Watch qualifications while I was in paygrade E-6 and later in paygrade E-7 qualified as a Propulsion Plant Watch Supervisor) on CVNs to supervise the operation and maintenance of surface ship nuclear propulsion plants with twenty-five subordinate watches assigned. I was selected as the Group Supervisor and placed in charge of the plant equipment and a team of twenty operators in two work centers that also served as technicians to maintain readiness. I qualified and was certified by the Commanding Officer as the senior enlisted operations supervisor in one of the ship's two propulsion plants. I stood watches as a Propulsion Plant Watch Supervisor. Before the ship began a year-long Dry-Docking Complex Overhaul at Newport News Shipbuilding, I went TDY for 8-weeks to attend the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Systems Technician Course at FLETRACEN Norfolk. I was appointed to the rank of Chief Machinist's Mate meaning that I had new responsibilities and was given additional authority by the Navy. I later completed qualifications for Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist.

Nuclear Power School Staff Instructor Duty as a sea-returnee on shore duty. At Naval Nuclear Power School (NNPS) I served as an enlisted section advisor, and soon qualified as a staff instructor for the next 30 months. I usually taught 12-weeks of subjects during the 24-week course which allowed me to work with two enlisted class sections, each section with 45 students. During this assignment, I applied the same concepts I learned previously to cover a variety of science and technology-based subjects, based upon principles of thermodynamics and mechanical engineering in the same manner that officer instructors taught the officer students the graduate-level courses but at an under-graduate level until I was commissioned as Nuclear-trained Navy Officer.

My Officer Commissioning. I applied for a direct commissioning program, beating the odds to be selected as a Limited Duty Officer for operational duty in the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program during interviews with Naval Reactors staff. Due to the highly-selective nature of the Navy's nuclear-trained officer programs that compete world-class talent requiring advanced training and qualifications, the opportunity for selection was low. My selection meant my skills and knowledge would remain in high demand for as long as I stayed competitive. During the next 17 years of my naval service as an commissioned officer, I was a senior operations manager in the Naval Nuclear Propulsion program.

As a Nuclear Power Limited Duty Officer, I served under a temporary appointment authorized by congress as an officer, commissioned in the grade of Ensign by the President. As an officer technical manager in the repair, maintenance, and operation of naval nuclear propulsion plants, nuclear ship systems, and associated equipment; coordinate and supervise skilled craftsmen and administrative support personnel; provide technical assistance in the overhaul, refueling and decontamination of nuclear propulsion plants; monitor and supervise nuclear propulsion plant, chemical analysis, and chemistry control practices and procedures as well as quality assurance of nuclear work; formulate, direct, and evaluate training programs; write reports and provide technical assistance and advice; to plan, supervise, direct, and evaluate activities of subordinates.

Before I was officially at my next duty station as a newly-appointed LDO, I was ordered to report TDY to Naval Aviation Schools Command, Pensacola for Officer Indoctrination School (OIS) and receive training to assist in smoothly transitioning into my new role as a commissioned officer. The course explained the role of Navy LDOs as technical officer managers performing duties that are technically specialized, with critical warfighting skills acquired through experience and training that are not acquired by other officer designators in their normal career path.

Aboard USS ENTERPRISE CVN-65 as an Engineering Department Officer, I served my first sea tour assigned as SHIP'S ENGINEER OFFICER, NUCLEAR (ELECTRICAL) NOBC 9374. For approximately 36 months, I led a team of ninety sailors responsible for everything from operating an electrical plant distributing electricity and repairing shipboard interior communications to maintain the lighting for the ship's flight deck operations. As an officer, my training was certified by the Commanding Officer culminating in standing watches as a Propulsion Plant Watch Officer. I was the senior nuclear operations manager for two reactors in one of the ship's four propulsion plants with 25 watch-standers assigned. I was selected to qualify and stand watch as a Surface Watch Officer in the ship's Combat Direction Center, then qualified as an Officer of the Deck - Underway standing watch on the ship's bridge. After I was promoted to the grade of Lieutenant Junior Grade, I was designated as a Surface Warfare Officer.

Nuclear Field ‘A” School Officer Staff. After my first sea tour as an officer, my next tour as SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR NOBC 3283 was managing the qualifications of over 200 staff instructors that provided technical training in their specific ratings at Nuclear Field A School for 36 months. I also furthered my professional education by taking advantage of an undergraduate school opportunity the Navy offered. In less than three years, I graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electronic Systems Technology. Offered a permanent appointment when fully-qualified as a Nuclear Power LDO in designator 6400, I accepted a permanent promotion to Lieutenant. During this assignment, the training command was reorganized into the Naval Nuclear Power Training Command and the at Nuclear Field A School staff provided the enlisted students a foundational in-rate knowledge while the Nuclear Power School staff provided both the officer and enlisted students training necessary for a theoretical understanding of the components used for nuclear propulsion.

Prior to reporting aboard a Destroyer Tender for my next duty, I was provided a comprehensive and intense one month introduction to the Intermediate Maintenance Activity Nuclear Planning Yard's Radiological Controls Officer course of instruction at Naval Shipyard, Charleston, SC.

USS Samuel Gompers AD-37 Repair Department Officer. Next came a tour at sea aboard a Destroyer Tender as the Assistant RADIOLOGICAL CONTROL OFFICER NOBC 7251. I was a Repair Division Officer in charge of training a team of personnel that qualified as radiation workers to support the work assigned to the Nuclear Support Facility and shipboard RADIAC Calibration Laboratory. Trained to perform my duties at an advanced level, there were Radiological Controls Shift Supervisors and Radiological Controls Technicians that performed intermediate-level radiological maintenance on Naval Nuclear Propulsion Plants assigned to our nuclear-capable repair activities. The ship also had a small number of Nuclear Planners who had knowledge, skills, and abilities to write intermediate-level nuclear repair Technical Work Documents (TWDs). Together the team conducted detailed research, focusing on technical accuracy, required materials, developing sketches, radiological containment fabrication, work step flow, and post repair testing. While in port, I was standing watches as the Command Duty Officer and Officer of the Deck while Underway. I attended the Hazardous Materials Control and Management (HMC&M) Technician course at NAVOSHENVTRACEN. I was the Officer in Charge of a detachment that worked on special radiological site release project. My final role was decommissioning the ship as her Repair Officer and inactivating the Nuclear Support Facility.

As a Nuclear Propulsion Mobile Training Team and Type Commander Staff Officer, I served as a SHIP'S ENGINEER OFFICER, NUCLEAR (GENERAL) NOBC 9371 on the Pacific Fleet Surface and Aviation Type Commander's Staff. As a member of the Nuclear Propulsion Mobile Training Team (NPMTT), I examined and evaluated the ship's training and assessed the proficiency of Propulsion Plant Watch-standers and the material condition propulsion plant. I provided oversight for managing shipboard radiation health, chemistry, and radiological controls programs. I also was a nuclear-trained officer that supported nuclear powered ships in-port as a member of the radiological evaluation team in San Diego. Permanently promoted to the grade of Lieutenant Commander.

USS John C. Stennis CVN-74 Reactor and Engineering Department Officer
My last sea tour was serving in an Aircraft Carrier as the SHIP'S REACTOR MECHANICAL ASSISTANT NOBC 9393 Reactor Maintenance Officer and ENGINEERING LIAISON OFFICER NOBC 7910 Ship's Maintenance Manager, I directed nuclear operations to manage both propulsion plants. As a Principal Assistant after my training was certified by the Commanding Officer, I began standing watches as the Engineering Officer of the Watch and Propulsion Plant Watch Officer. With the AQD LC1 for Surface Warfare Engineering, my designation qualified as an EOOW (Steam). I attended the Joint Fleet Quality Assurance Officer’s Course. In San Diego, I was part of an advanced planning team during the first two Planned Incremental Availabilities that I managed and successfully executed as the Ship's Engineering Liaison.

Shore Intermediate Maintenance Activity Repair Department Officer. My last officer assignment as SHIP REPAIR OFFICER NOBC 7976 was an important job working at the Navy's best Shore Intermediate Maintenance Activity. As a nuclear-trained officer at a shore facility that supported nuclear powered ships in-port, I was a member of the radiological evaluation team in San Diego. Went TDY to attend Prospective Electronics Material Officer at FLETRACEN San Diego.

Officer Retirement. I was recognized for outstanding meritorious service by the President of the United States before I completed my active duty service and retired from active duty in the grade of Lieutenant Commander. A long career of family separations during deployments, extended working hours, and personal sacrifices there were rewards of many memories of great people, exotic places, and world events that transpired during my 27 years in uniform. My personal accomplishments and experince gained as a "Navy Nuclear Officer" helped greatly in a variety of careers including a position in computer engineering and government manager in defense acquisition. The work experience and specialized training led to opportunities in related civilian fields working as a Senior Principal Engineer in the commercial industry of systems engineering and as a credentialed civilian Computer Engineer with the Department of Defense.

Response by PO3 Ivan Lang made Jul 13 at 2023 3:30 PM

2023-07-13T15:30:34-04:00

Being a nuke was one of the most hellish things I've ever done.

The knowledge and experience I gained was second to none, but the working conditions were horrific.

2 years of school right after basic, which is alright. But once that's done you're sent to the fleet and are expected not just to stay on track with qualifications but go above and beyond the pace at which is set out.

You will be on the 5 and dime watch rotation which means 5 hours on watch 10 hours off. But that off time doesn't count the regular 0700 to 1900 work day where you're expected to be in the power plant cleaning, qualifying, etc. Also drills are run at the worst possible times.

You're lucky to get more than 2-4 hours of sleep every night. And unless you're good at making friends with sociopaths, the leadership will hate you and actively work to make your life miserable.

You're also working in 100+ degree engine rooms while wearing coveralls and aren't allowed to dress down i.e. remove the top half of the coveralls to stay cool.

ORSE exams will take up every minute of your time and they happen once a year and as soon as one is over you're preparing for the next one.

It's a miserable experience where nobody treats anyone with any sort of human decency. You're never interacting with anyone outside of your department and unless you smoke you're not seeing sunlight for months at a time.

Response by LCDR Thomas Gabehart made Jul 27 at 2023 1:23 AM

2023-07-27T01:23:32-04:00

Retired Nuclear LDO, spent my first 12 years training and serving aboard nuclear submarines as an MM-nuke. Happy to field any questions about life as a nuke.
You basically complete 4 years of education in 6 months. Think drinking from a fire hose.
Then you go to a land based nuclear prototype where you start, stop, and everything in between on an operating reactor. It’s a tough qualification program to instill perfectionism.
You go to sea where you start another arduous qualification program, along with qualifying Submarines or Surface Warfare depending on the nukes path.
Nukes stay in Nuclear billets. They don’t get cushy shore duty, they stay proficient in their chosen profession.
Since the only sea nuclear billets are on subs and carriers, all sea time will be limited to those and 90% of the shore billets will be in support of maintenance on them, or in continuous training.
Pros- you get paid more and have a line of companies wanting to hire you at great wages when you get out.
Cons- you get less time off in port and less sleep at sea.
IMHO nukes are the smartest, safest thinking organization in the world. I am proud to be called “nuke”, “glow boy”, engineering puke”, and all the other names those jealous of our prestige throw our way.