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[Osmosis Jones]

I have also debated ROTC in college (not sure if being an officer is required for nuclear engineers or not)

If you have the nous to be an officer, why would you go for an enlisted position?

I'm not in the military myself, but everything I've seen and heard suggests that once you're enlisted, it's a bitch to earn an officer's commission, so I wouldn't enlist with the aim of switching across as well.

Make damn sure you're okay with being at the bottom of the totem pole and the payscale before you join in enlisted. Just for some numbers, it will take 8 years and a rank of at least E-5 (that's Petty Officer Second Class in the Navy, or Sergeant in the Army) before you match a fresh-minted O-1 in wages. Not to mention differences in privileges, job prospects and cuisine.

[WillowLuman]

That basic training is the big question (in addition to the emotional concerns, which if you haven't asked your friends and family how they'd feel, do so!) From my folks who've been there, they say the basic is awful, but after that it's not as much (though it can become incredibly boring, depending. Though that's from a former National Guard.) Bear in mind the risk of combat (though your chosen path would probably be less likely to see it than most.) As for getting torpedoed, if the US gets in a war with an entity capable of doing that, we'll all probably have to worry about a draft.

If you do go for it, I say do it for the purpose of paying your way through college later. Do NOT become an officer. That is a good way to get stuck there for the rest of your life.

[Cryxis, Prince of Doom]

If I become an officer that would be me wanting my life time career if I got enlisted I'll probably do ten years and then get out. I won't try to switch into being an officer from enlisted though.
I don't need reminders of pay scales, close relative just got out with 30 year, other close relative just got out of boot camp and JROTC has tought us them as well.

[NullForceOmega]

A few minutes or hours of being shouted at and run ragged is not a big deal to most people, weeks on end of it will break you, that is the entire point, they break you until you can't be broken anymore, then build you up, then they'll try to break you again.  Only the top 10% of the top 10% (that is the absolute best 1%) of NCOs even get to try to become drill instructors, and they know how to  tear anyone down.  Now, the role you are trying to get is a support MOS, so yes, the likelihood of you seeing combat personally is small, but is still not zero.  If you want to do it, DO IT.  The only thing that I regret about my service is that it ended prematurely when I tripped dismounting an M-1 at the motorpool and fell 5' to the pavement, severely damaging both of my knees.

Osmosis: The US has accelerated placement systems in all branches specifically to find officer material and get them where they are needed.

I agree with Hugo about the officer part, if you don't already qualify as an officer, don't try to become one.  You will be LOCKED into a minimum of 10 years of service.

[Orange Wizard]

As for getting torpedoed, if the US gets in a war with an entity capable of doing that, we'll all probably have to worry about a draft.

FEAR THE MIGHT OF NEW ZEALAND

[Rolan7]

As for getting torpedoed, if the US gets in a war with an entity capable of doing that, we'll all probably have to worry about a draft.

FEAR THE MIGHT OF NEW ZEALAND

GET THEE BEHIND ME SAURON

[Orange Wizard]

As for getting torpedoed, if the US gets in a war with an entity capable of doing that, we'll all probably have to worry about a draft.

FEAR THE MIGHT OF NEW ZEALAND

GET THEE BEHIND ME SAURON

BAAA

[~Neri]

As for getting torpedoed, if the US gets in a war with an entity capable of doing that, we'll all probably have to worry about a draft.

FEAR THE MIGHT OF NEW ZEALAND

Any second world country could field the explosives required. Hell, a few third world countries could as well.

[NullForceOmega]

And while they would stand a moderate chance of delivering that payload to a vessel in a port, I would dearly love to see them try it against a carrier group on the open ocean.  Carriers do not travel alone and you are NOT getting past several dozen ships in fire-support formation without a serious, dedicated attack with no regard for losses.

[Cryxis, Prince of Doom]

I feel like there is a difference between navy and army boot camp, close relative and others say the whole point of navy boot camp is train you into being able to live with attic scheduals, be able to do the jobs everyone has to be qualified for on a ship (EX: everyone in the navy must be able to become a fireman in a moments notice because whoever is closest to a fire on a ship has to be able to put it out), she said that it was also a lot more lax than 30 years in vet said it was when they were in, she said they still got yelled at but no attempt to break people by yelling at them directly for nothing. She also said there was daily PT but nothing too hard as long as you're in shape or close to it and that meals are very short (scarfing down all your food in 10 minutes IIRC)


Also I don't have my ASVAP score yet but considering how often the recruiters attack me with wanting me to go into nuclear because they've seen my grades on school and talking to a guy in the nuclear program already I think I'm qualified for that but I'm not sure about becoming an officer.


I should probably talk to my friends and family about this

As for getting torpedoed, if the US gets in a war with an entity capable of doing that, we'll all probably have to worry about a draft.

FEAR THE MIGHT OF NEW ZEALAND

Any second world country could field the explosives required. Hell, a few third world countries could as well.

Once again BATTLE GROUPS
They may have the equipment for a carrier but not for a carrier, several cruisers, several destroyers, and un godly amounts of jets that would be taking off as soon as one of the smaller boats got hit. And if someone took out a whole battle group world war three might as well have started.

[NullForceOmega]

From the descriptions of every Navy seaman I have ever spoken to, no, Army and Navy Basic are just about in lockstep.

[Cryxis, Prince of Doom]

Huh
Eh I can deal with it either way.
The yelling doesn't bother me much at all, and since they can't physically harm me I don't fear them. I would fear much for disobeying them but not my life.

[Yoink]

I say do it. That'd be a pretty awesome career/experience.
I myself would love to enlist in the military, but my slew of health issues make that... unlikely.
Maybe you won't take well to basic training or something, but there's only one way to find out.

[SanDiego]

Some while ago, Cracked did an article with former nuclear engineer who served on submarines. It may interest you: http://www.cracked.com/article_20871_6-things-movies-dont-show-you-about-life-submarine.html

[Cryxis, Prince of Doom]

Some while ago, Cracked did an article with former nuclear engineer who served on submarines. It may interest you: http://www.cracked.com/article_20871_6-things-movies-dont-show-you-about-life-submarine.html

Neat though I would be trying for an aircraft carrier ((I know I would just get placed wherever they need me to)) but I would try for an aircraft carrier.
That might be something I could do easily since in 2016 they are releasing new carriers into the fleet who (to my knowledge) do not have people who will be working them since these aren't replacing current carriers (IIRC).

Also if I flunk out of nuclear or don't want to do it in a year I might go in for technician. That's what my relative who just went in is in A school for right now, they think it's pretty nice.