Here is the last of the scoop that I'm sending to my young nuclear buddie (minus the summary), for your enjoyment!!
So what does it take to get into a SRO program at a commercial plant? Lets start off with what the actual regulations are here (http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/reg-guides/power-reactors/active/01-008/) and basically say that you need 2 years of experience in a “reactor operator” role. This is the reason for the interpretation of 2 years as an EWS, for non-RO navy guys. For my plant if you were in the navy at all and have a bachelors degree in an engineering field, you can get in. I will warn you that there are many companies (mine included) that will try to get a guy like you to start out in the non licensed role “to get some experience.” This is because, industry wide the work force is aging and they are desperate for all operators. This is how I ended up where I am, along with the fact that the SUBASE in Groton was on the BRAC list and none of the normal government contractors were hiring when I got out. I have a lot more experience in the plant and will have a much easier time in systems training than a SRO candidate off the street, but once you hire in, the company can decline to take your application for SRO until it is a their convenience (once again, my experience).
As for pay and overtime, I can only vouch for my plant which is unionized. The top step non licensed operator makes about 32$ an hour, RO’s make about 38$ an hour with a 5$ an hour bonus and standard rate (negotiable) for SRO’s is about 100K per year. We are currently working a 6 shift schedule with one week of afternoons, one week of midnights, one week of training days, and 2 weeks inplant daylights. Its not a bad schedule if you can handle the backshifts. The NLO’s and RO’s work some overtime, the “hogs” make a bundle (from 100K to 130K) but are always on site working overtime. They get time and a half for their “Saturdays” and doubletime for their “Sundays” so the overtime pay adds up quick. The SRO’s make overtime at a straight time rate, but at least get paid for it which is more than I can say for you guys. The company makes a 50% contributition to your 401K up to 3% (you put in 6% they put in 3%) and pays prorate for college courses, like for your masters degree. I can only assume that the other utilities are paying similarly, with area cost of living corrected.
Showing posts with label nuclear advice. Show all posts
Showing posts with label nuclear advice. Show all posts
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Cautious advice!?!
One of my readers sent me and email this week and asked me for some advice concerning his term in the Navy and transitioning to the commercial industry. I only had enough time to send him my thoughts on his Navy time but will generate something on the comercial industry later. Here it is for your enjoyment:
Man, do I wish that I had your options! I will give you the same advice that I gave to my last several guys in your position when I was on active duty. Keep in mind that the economy was in much better shape and that there were a lot of jobs out there. Hey, be a savvy nuke. The navy promised you a boatload of stuff to get you to enlist, make sure that you get it all before you let them off the hook. The GI bill, advanced qualification (EWS), and other cool stuff is what you can get if you have the perseverance to make the navy give them to you. It might not sound too sweet now but here is what I would do:
Firstly, adopt a pseudo-lifer attitude. Keep your nose clean, be on time, have a sat haircut, don’t smell like booze (all of the time). Tell your goat (EMC) that you want to qualify EWS and start showing up at training. Don’t really ask, just do it. If anyone gives you a hard time, ask the XO why it is so hard to just get ahead in the engineering department and schmooze up the EDMC. It may seem fake, but you will need to have some “political skills” when you get into the real world anyway. Consider it an exercise in character. You don’t have to like it just do it long enough to get thru your board. For an EM this qual is like gold in the commercial industry.
Second, start talking up p-type. Like when the EDMC or ENG or XO can hear you. Sound cautiously interested. If you demonstrate significant interest you will get “command attention.” Once you get the attention you want, get the command to do the bargaining for you. Just remember that no matter what the XO says, he really can’t get you orders. Once you get to prototype, there are several colleges that will cater to you taking on campus classes or doing distance learning. You NEED to finish your degree before you get into the crap in the commercial world. So go there and get it done. Don’t get distracted by those Charleston hotties or the babes in the spa at Ballston.
Thirdly, hold out talking about reenlisting until the very last. Make it a bargaining tool for yourself. Remember that the money isn’t worth it but, the other benefits and the money just may be. Bargain for all that you can get including quals as EWS as a second (my ET2 did it) or the best orders. And remember, that if things don’t go right or you get pissed, you never, NEVER have to reenlistment or sign the contract. Even on the day of your ceremony.
Man, do I wish that I had your options! I will give you the same advice that I gave to my last several guys in your position when I was on active duty. Keep in mind that the economy was in much better shape and that there were a lot of jobs out there. Hey, be a savvy nuke. The navy promised you a boatload of stuff to get you to enlist, make sure that you get it all before you let them off the hook. The GI bill, advanced qualification (EWS), and other cool stuff is what you can get if you have the perseverance to make the navy give them to you. It might not sound too sweet now but here is what I would do:
Firstly, adopt a pseudo-lifer attitude. Keep your nose clean, be on time, have a sat haircut, don’t smell like booze (all of the time). Tell your goat (EMC) that you want to qualify EWS and start showing up at training. Don’t really ask, just do it. If anyone gives you a hard time, ask the XO why it is so hard to just get ahead in the engineering department and schmooze up the EDMC. It may seem fake, but you will need to have some “political skills” when you get into the real world anyway. Consider it an exercise in character. You don’t have to like it just do it long enough to get thru your board. For an EM this qual is like gold in the commercial industry.
Second, start talking up p-type. Like when the EDMC or ENG or XO can hear you. Sound cautiously interested. If you demonstrate significant interest you will get “command attention.” Once you get the attention you want, get the command to do the bargaining for you. Just remember that no matter what the XO says, he really can’t get you orders. Once you get to prototype, there are several colleges that will cater to you taking on campus classes or doing distance learning. You NEED to finish your degree before you get into the crap in the commercial world. So go there and get it done. Don’t get distracted by those Charleston hotties or the babes in the spa at Ballston.
Thirdly, hold out talking about reenlisting until the very last. Make it a bargaining tool for yourself. Remember that the money isn’t worth it but, the other benefits and the money just may be. Bargain for all that you can get including quals as EWS as a second (my ET2 did it) or the best orders. And remember, that if things don’t go right or you get pissed, you never, NEVER have to reenlistment or sign the contract. Even on the day of your ceremony.
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