Help me decide on a job in the military...

[Megatomic]

If you really are determined to join the military and you want to be prepared for a career when you exit the military you might consider the Nuclear Power Program in the US Navy. I was a Nuke ET (electronics tech) and Reactor Operator. There are like 2 years of school before you ever hit the first ship. You get trained in electronics (or power electrical (EM) or mechanics (MM)) and you get to learn to operate and maintain a nuclear power plant. When you get out you are qualified to be an electronics tech (if you go ET), a power plant operator or maintenance tech, or (if you are good enough) a field engineer for an instrumentation or machinery manufacturer. All pay decently I might add.

An example (from my own life):
Nuke ET
Got out and went to work as a power plant I&C Tech
From there I was picked up as a field engineer at a large chemical plant (Allied Signal now Honeywell)
Did a year a Corning Photonics as a controls engineer
Now I am a particle accelerator operator/controls engineer/PC Sysadmin (Jefferson Lab)

I have taken some college classes here and there over the years but most of this can be directly attributed to my experience in the Nuke Program. I hope this has interested you Chaotic42.

 

[Chaotic42]

Originally posted by: JOSEPHLB
Who mentioned "Have you ran 3 miles yet?"..?

I had to laugh at that.. Air Force.. running 3 miles? They ride a stationary bike for the physical fitness test. When I was stationed at Fort Meade, Maryland.. 95% of the Air Force people there couldn't run to the dining facility without losing their breath

The Air Force does have the better quality of life though; but I guess that all depends on where you are stationed..

I know its not comparable to Camp Casey, Korea , or some of my time in Kuwait, Kosovo and my little 3 year adventure down in the First Cav Division at Fort Hood, Texas

I can jog 1 mile, and not be really out of breath, unless it's cold.

Thanks SeekingTao. I'd love to work in a Nuclear Powerplant. I'm actually interested in too many different things. I suppose that means that I'm flexible

Anyway, I've had a desire to learn Russian ever since I read "The Hunt For Red October" when I was 6. I took it in college, and I could seriously see myself being a translator. It's almost as if it's my calling. That said, I would certainly be interested in a nuclear program. Thanks!

 

[hzl eyed grl]

Well as my betrothed, you should--of course--find something close to me.

 

[Chaotic42]

Originally posted by: hzl_eyed_grl
Well as my betrothed, you should--of course--find something close to me.

Either way, the schools are in the same place, in Monterey. That's pretty close to where you live, right?

 

[hzl eyed grl]

Originally posted by: Chaotic42

Originally posted by: hzl_eyed_grl
Well as my betrothed, you should--of course--find something close to me.

Either way, the schools are in the same place, in Monterey. That's pretty close to where you live, right?

Yup. Just a few hours away, so you'll have to come down and see me quite often.

 

[Chaotic42]

I should also mention that the Navy might not be a good idea, because I'd like to get married, and be around my family as much as I could (without neglecting my military duty). I would think that would be difficult in the Navy.

 

[Megatomic]

Originally posted by: Chaotic42
I should also mention that the Navy might not be a good idea, because I'd like to get married, and be around my family as much as I could (without neglecting my military duty). I would think that would be difficult in the Navy.

This is why I didn't make a career out of the Navy, but it is a good place to start a career if you are planning on being a family man. If I had it to do all over again, I'd go Nuke Navy again only this time I'd go the Machinist Mate route. They had all the fun.

 

[hagbard]

Cannon fodder.