What are some jobs a person in the Navy Nuclear Field can do after military service?

Question

I leave for Basic Training in 11 days and signed my contract for Nuclear Field. I plan on being an ET (electronics technician). I know it will obviously involve nuclear power and probably power plants, but I'm looking for the specific jobs there or possibly research and development jobs I could get into.

Answer 1

There are many things that you can do with your education in the pipe line, a entry level reactor operator job is open at most nuclear plants. If you work hard while your in and pick up additional qualifications you can come straight into the civilian world as a SRO "Senior Reactor Operator" pays a little more I think its like $10000+ more a year. If you get a degree research and development is open to you also. If you go to the New York Prototype the company that owns it does that type of research, also GE and Westinghouse also have there own R and D programs.

Answer 2

I was a Nuclear Field ET for about 8 years ending in 1989.  I served on two submarines as a reactor operator, shutdown reactor operator, maintenance supervisor (mostly an honorary title from a particular Navy school I attended) and an Engineering Watch Supervisor.

Once you complete your Navy training and commitment, there are a number of things that you can jump right into, mostly in the operation and maintenance of nuclear power plants.  This is a good time to get into that field because there is a reasonable chance that new plants will be under construction by the time you get out (or be built if you make the Navy a career).  You can also work for conventional power plants (with the exception of the power source, most plants are very similar).  You might also want to consider getting an engineering degree, then get into the job market.  (Warning - this isn't easy, you've really got to put the work in, even with the Navy background).  This can open up R&D work, but you'll probably have to get a Masters/Doctorate to really do high-powered stuff.

Alternatively, you could do what I did.  Go to college in a completely different direction and make a brand new career out of it.  

I wish you the best of luck and I'll give you some free advice for Nuke Power School and beyond.  When taking written exams, write everything you can about the subject being asked, even if it isn't directly on the point.  Give the grader a feeling that you know something and you might get extra points, even if you don't cover everything expected.  

Answer 3

I was a Nuke EM.  When I got out I worked as a journeylevel electrician at my hometown lumber mill, where I maintained the power plant due to my prior experience.  I've since been an Instrument & Electrical Technician at chemical and manufacturing plants.

Right now I'm working at my 4th power plant since getting out (including the lumber mill's), this one being the second gas turbine power plant.

The reactor is just a heat source.  Once steam is produced it's all the same.  This power plant currently has 8 former nukes working here including the plant manager and the gas turbine technician.