About "Nuke Training"
Note: The following information was provided by SCHOOLBOYROW, a member of our Message Forum:
A little background about myself, I'm a 25 year old college grad (B.A. in Business Administration) who worked for a few software companies after graduating. I signed my DEP papers in July of 2002 and left for RTC in February of 2003. I'm in my 3 month here at NNPTC (Naval Nuclear Power Training Command).
Boot Camp is what it is. It's all you make of it. It can suck pretty bad, or you can just suck it up and take it. As a nuke, you'll get picked on for at least giving the impression that you are smart (it comes with the territory). You'll probably be the division EPO or the Yeoman. They aren't hard jobs (compared to being RPOC or AROC), but they still are a pain in the butt. I remember many watches getting yelled at for not having the shiniest boots because I was writing a study guide per order of my RDC.
I had 7 other Nukes in my division. We all pretty much caught a bunch of poop when we did something dumb (like an incorrect stencil), but depending on your RDC there is some give and take. I know my RDC loved me because he thought I was crazy, in the sense of "Why the #$&* are you here?". You'll get that quite a bit. But I loved my RDC to death, so if you ever get Chief Wise (probably Senior Chief Wise, by now), just listen. It's in your best interest.
I graduated from boot camp on April 18th. Myself and 5 other shipmates (one got held back to go to Plato, which is a English language betterment course from what I understand). I was one of 43 nukes to arrive that night, one of the largest single indoc classes ever at NNPTC. Arriving at NNPTC is an absolute shock. You've been training on rank and recognition, and the Third Class requires a greeting right? Well, here, only the Third Classes with a white badge (staff) require that. Somebody in the group will screw up and say "Good evening Petty Officer". And the fellow whom you directed that too will probably laugh, because six months ago they were in the same boat (unless you get some high and mighty, lifetime T-Tracker).
They'll give you a room and roommate. The BEQs here are pretty darn nice. Your racks aren't bunked, so that is a welcome change. You don't have to do pushups before you use the head. Heck, many times, you'll find using commonly accepted Navy terminology pretty rare. After that first weekend (which you have to be in uniform for on base and off base), you'll meander around for 2 days, and then start indoc on Wednesday.
On this command, underage drinking and drug use (as they should be) are frowned upon. You'll find that they hold nukes to a higher standard. As well they should. Because after a while, you'll find out that you are among some of the brightest people the enlisted ranks have to offer.
Are there freaks here? Yes. But no more than in high school or college. People are still people. The Navy becomes less of a life here, and more of a job. Your job is to learn how to work in a nuclear power plant. I mean, I've seen some strange stuff down here, every one from Morpheous (a bald, African-American fellow, who has an affinity for wearing a floor length black leather coat), to Captain Startrek (who has a full Star Trek outfit). And you'll meet the requsite amount of S-bags (Captain Planet (i.e. a person who has graduated A-School, but is now an E-1 due to his going to mast multiple times), Particle Boy/Man, Propeller Head), but really it is no different than any other command. I've met lots of great people here, and in my 3 months here, had a lot of fun with people I would have never met had it not been for Nuke school.
Most people are friendly. But this place has a very ugly side to it. It is very competitive down here. If you are person who flys off the handle if you aren't the absolute best at everything, you may not be able to handle it here. But if you can accept the results produced by your best effort, then Nuke school is a great place to be.
The academic rigors are here are pretty torturous. This is tech school on speed. 8 hours of classes and then at least two hours of studying per night. Your fun on weekdays (and occasionally weeknights) will be precluded with studying for an exam. It's all about time management.
If you are looking for a challenge, this is the place to be.
