Domain: tiger-web1.srvr.media3.us Navy dudes: My son is considering the Navy as a “nuke.” | O-T Lounge
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Navy dudes: My son is considering the Navy as a “nuke.”

Posted on 3/3/26 at 5:42 pm
Posted by BOHICAMAN
Member since Feb 2026
611 posts
Posted on 3/3/26 at 5:42 pm
Can anyone tell me what exactly this entails? Is it a good program to prep for college or a job after he gets out? What’s the training like?

I was a bullet sponge in the Marines so only a little ignorant about the military and the Navy and I already told him he was a maniac for wanting to serve on a submarine.

Cheers
This post was edited on 3/3/26 at 5:44 pm
Posted by Chromdome35
Fast lane, behind a slow driver
Member since Nov 2010
8086 posts
Posted on 3/3/26 at 5:43 pm to
My brother-in-law's kid was a Nuke. It helps to be really smart.
Posted by GruntbyAssociation
Member since Jul 2013
9152 posts
Posted on 3/3/26 at 5:47 pm to
Option 40 contract U.S. Army if he wants to do some fun shite.
Posted by NC_Tigah
Make Orwell Fiction Again
Member since Sep 2003
137174 posts
Posted on 3/3/26 at 5:47 pm to
quote:

Navy dudes: My son is considering the Navy as a “nuke.”
Hat's off! Relay thanks to your son.
Posted by DoUrden
UnderDark
Member since Oct 2011
26051 posts
Posted on 3/3/26 at 5:49 pm to
I went to Nuke School for a bit and was not a fan. The school used to on par with all the major schools on training in the field . I know a few that got out after the 6 years and went right to work for TVA making bank with no college degree. The curriculum is tough as hell.



This post was edited on 3/3/26 at 5:51 pm
Posted by JAXTiger16
TBD
Member since Apr 2013
2497 posts
Posted on 3/3/26 at 5:51 pm to
Tell him to score high on the ASVAB. Not an expert but the schooling will probably take 2 years, he will have to sign a 6 year contract and it’s one of the best jobs to get bonuses for reenlistments.
Posted by BOHICAMAN
Member since Feb 2026
611 posts
Posted on 3/3/26 at 5:52 pm to
quote:

I went to Nuke School for a bit and was not a fan. The school used to on par with all the major schools on training in the field . I know a few that got out after the 6 years and went right to work for TVA making bank with no college degree. The curriculum is tough as hell.


I understand there are different rates on the nuke program. Any insight on these and which one he should chose?
Posted by soccerfüt
Location: A Series of Tubes
Member since May 2013
73900 posts
Posted on 3/3/26 at 5:53 pm to
quote:

I was a bullet sponge in the Marines so only a little ignorant about the military and the Navy
I thought you fellows always referred to those Navy folk as your “bus drivers”.

Your feigning ignorance, while tempting to exploit, is probably a ruse.

Bon appetite!

Posted by DoUrden
UnderDark
Member since Oct 2011
26051 posts
Posted on 3/3/26 at 5:57 pm to
Machinist's Mate Nuclear (MMN): Maintain steam-powered propulsion plants, including engines and reactors.

Electrician's Mate Nuclear (EMN): Operate and repair electrical systems and power generation equipment.

Electronics Technician Nuclear (ETN): Manage and maintain reactor control systems, instruments, and electronics.

I would go with ENM or ETN, very marketable skills other than just in the nuke field.

The re enlistment bonuses are sick, so he may decide to make it a career.
This post was edited on 3/3/26 at 6:00 pm
Posted by Relham10
Ridge
Member since Jan 2013
20623 posts
Posted on 3/3/26 at 5:58 pm to
quote:

told him he was a maniac for wanting to serve on a submarine.
feeling a tightness in my chest just thinking of being 1000ft below the surface in a cramped metal vessel for a long period of time. Props to those guys
Posted by DoUrden
UnderDark
Member since Oct 2011
26051 posts
Posted on 3/3/26 at 6:00 pm to
Carriers are nuclear
Posted by BOHICAMAN
Member since Feb 2026
611 posts
Posted on 3/3/26 at 6:03 pm to
quote:

Carriers are nuclear


Assuming he makes it through the program, what percentage goes to carries vs submarines?
Posted by LSURussian
Member since Feb 2005
134334 posts
Posted on 3/3/26 at 6:06 pm to
quote:

Can anyone tell me what exactly this entails?
All I know about nuclear submarines I learned from watching The Hunt for Red October.

"One ping only, Vasili..."
Posted by DoUrden
UnderDark
Member since Oct 2011
26051 posts
Posted on 3/3/26 at 6:07 pm to
Sailor 1: It is great being a bubble head, I can plan my time on and my time off due to the rotation schedule.

Sailor 2: So can your wife.
Posted by DoUrden
UnderDark
Member since Oct 2011
26051 posts
Posted on 3/3/26 at 6:08 pm to
Small not as many carriers, they will ask him if will volunteer for sub duty.
Posted by Jim Rockford
Member since May 2011
104770 posts
Posted on 3/3/26 at 6:11 pm to
You can also be assigned to the Navy's test reactor in beautiful Idaho Falls.

Protip: it's in the scrub desert part of Idaho, not the picture postcard ski resort part.
Posted by AUstar
Member since Dec 2012
19505 posts
Posted on 3/3/26 at 6:14 pm to
Civilian nuke plants employ a lot of former Navy nuke guys. You can likely get hired without college, but if you couple the Navy experience and a bachelor's you will have job security.
Posted by Onyx Aggie
Foothills of the Smokies
Member since Sep 2012
2730 posts
Posted on 3/3/26 at 6:15 pm to
I was a Nuke 90-96. Have no idea how much the curriculum has changed, but as long as he has a strong Math, Physics and Chemistry base, it should be a good choice for him.

Easy to transfer many of the courses into college cred so getting a degree while in isn't hard.

If he enjoys it, good jobs available after getting out.

Three rates: MM, EM, ET depending on what he likes.
Posted by DoUrden
UnderDark
Member since Oct 2011
26051 posts
Posted on 3/3/26 at 6:19 pm to
When I was in they had tuition assistance and paid 80% of the tuition.

Posted by OU812ME2
Earth
Member since Jun 2021
1358 posts
Posted on 3/3/26 at 6:20 pm to
yeah it means he will most likely fail out and end up a deck hand. At least that's what it meant 28 yrs ago when I was in.
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