Job Responsibilities
Before attending graduate school, I was a submarine unrestricted
line officer, Strategic Nuclear Weapons Speacialist. I was
responsible for two divsions (at-sea) and a training division
ashore. Additionally, I held collateral duities as Nuclear
Weapons Courier, Nuclear Weapons Radiological Controls Officer,
and Nuclear Weapons Security Officer.
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Job Requirements
A career path in the Military is strictly defined by time in pay
grade and success at promotion boards. The education
requirements for a submarine officer is to have a Bachelor of
Science degree in Engineering or a BS Degree in any fiedl with
at least 2 years of upper level math Calculus,Physics, etc. You
can find ther requirements at www.navy.mil.
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Uppers
The best part about my job was the early opportunity to be in a leadership
position and the opportunity to travel and see the word through a persisciope.
The was no time for boredon as I always had challenging and interesting
assignments.
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Downers
The downers were the time away from family.
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Lifestyle
If selected as an officer in the Navy's nuclear field, you will have joined a
world leader in applied sciences. The Navy excels in nuclear engineering and
nuclear power-plant operation with the world's most comprehensive technical
training in nuclear energy and nuclear propulsion. You might supervise the
nuclear propulsion systems of modern nuclear-powered surface ships or submarines
while at shore-based reactor facilities or onboard ship. You may find yourself
approving technical designs for new nuclear components, observing propulsion
plant performance and crew performance or even assuming watch in the control room
of a $1.5 billion warship. As a Nuclear officer, you will oversee
state-of-the-art equipment. Some of your responsibilities may include:
Maintain and operate sophisticated nuclear propulsion plants and modern weapons
and sensor systems on ships or submarines;
Direct projects to improve nuclear power plants in ships or submarines;
Assist high-level officials in creating policies for developing and using
nuclear technology;
Oversee nuclear engineering operations and navigational duties on ships or
submarines;
Assume the role of engineering officer/manager of the watch in charge of an
entire nuclear propulsion plant;
Conduct advanced research and development in concepts, materials, design and
operation of nuclear propulsion plants;
Develop equipment, procedures and specifications for naval nuclear propulsion
plants;
Resolve emergent fleet technical issues;
Monitor reactor safety and radiological controls.
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Compensation
Because of its level of specialization, officers in the nuclear
field are not only awarded with an excellent salary, they also
receive generous bonuses and unique benefits not widely
available anywhere else. Nuclear officer candidates attending
college may enter the Nuclear Propulsion Officer Candidate
Program (NUPOC) up to 30 months prior to graduation. This
program awards students a $10,000 signing bonus and a salary
(with all military benefits) of over $2,000 per month while
still in college. Students aren't required to wear a uniform or
attend military training during school. They simply stay in
school and complete their course of study while maintaining the
required grade point average - then enter the Navy's Nuclear
Propulsion Officer Training Program after graduation.
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Advice to Jobseekers
Don't be a know it all. Learn from the people you are leading as
they have done before you and are just as smart.
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