--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here are a few frequently asked questions from applicants that I will attempt to answer to the best of my ability:
1. What do I need to Qualify for NUPOC?
Answer: First a caveat: I'm overly simplifying here. Having said that the baseline requirements to be eligible for NUPOC are (a) You are an American citizen (b) You either have or are on your way to completing (at least) a bachelor's degree (c) you have completed two semesters of Calculus and two semesters of Physics (d) you are between the ages of 19-29 (waivers are available up to age 35 depending on the circumstance --- ask your officer recruiter).
2. What are the minimum academic standards to apply for NUPOC / How hard is it to be accepted into NUPOC?
Answer: First off -- it never hurts to ask your Officer Recruiter to submit a "pre-screen" to see if you qualify. Having said that, if you're below a 3.0 GPA you probably should save your time unless you're at Harvard/MIT/Stanford etc... and even then you should step up and raise it. SAT Scores are not technically required because we get a trickle of prior-enlisted applicants who have not taken them, but if your SAT scores are below ~1200 that is likely to be looked askance at (especially if your GPA is marginal; also note that for the SAT we are most concerned about the math portion, and we ignore writing entirely). I would recommend you take a peek at the profile of NUPOC Accessions which was posted about a week ago as a starting point. A rough estimate could be the lower bound of the interquartile range less about 10%.
3. Does College Prestige matter for my NUPOC application?
Answer: Yes. There is a tiered system that is used by our office and Naval Reactors which is not publicly accessible, but it is largely based on publicly available rankings of Universities such as US News and World Report, etc. There is also some room for discretion by screeners. So long as you are going to an accredited four-year institution and have good grades you should still apply if you're are interested -- School Prestige is a secondary consideration to performance.
4. Does my Major matter?
Answer: Yes, but this is negotiable. For example, I was an Economics Major at the Naval Academy but had taken the required technical courses and done well and easily met all other criteria. Two interviews ago a Music Composition major was accepted (April 2016) -- this sort of thing is not the norm, but it is still fairly common. For Instructor and NRE positions your major must be technical (Math/Science/Engineering), but for Submarines and Surface the focus on leadership and broader-spectrum academic ability is larger and if you are a non-technical major but have done well and have good test scores there is a high likelihood that you will be given an opportunity to interview. You would still need to meet the minimum requirements of 2 semesters of Calculus and Physics --- talk to your officer recruiter for individual cases close to graduation where taking new classes is impossible. In such instances, if the rest of an application is extremely impressive, waivers might be considered.
5. Do my class choices matter?
Answer: Yes. Most importantly, get good grades in the classes you take. If all your classes sound like 'underwater basket weaving' or 'Argentinian Women's Studies' it's obviously not going to help your application. Having said that, as long as you're taking serious coursework and you meet the base requirements for the NUPOC Program of 2 semesters of Calculus and 2 semesters of Physics you can apply. Nuclear-specific coursework is encouraged if offered at your school but will not give you an explicit advantage.
6. Do my extracurriculars matter?
Answer: Yes. We're looking for LEADERs and Engineers. We don't just want mousy brainiacs. The "Whole Person Concept" applies, and I've seen several people be accepted by the Admiral despite shaky interviews because of very strong personal presence and extracurriculars. Having said that, this is clearly secondary to the technical/academic ability piece.
7. When can I apply for NUPOC?
Answer: For Submarines / Surface / Prototype Instructor / Power School Instructor you can attend an interview in DC up to 30 months prior to graduation. Thus, for a May graduate, an applicant could attend an interview the December of their Sophomore year at the earliest. You can start the application process a few months before that obviously to ensure that you are ready to attend an interview as early as possible. For Naval Reactors Engineer the earliest is 18 months prior to graduation which would work out to the same month but of your Junior year.
8. How long does a NUPOC application take?
Answer: Much of this depends on how quickly you complete the paperwork you will be given by your officer recruiter. If you have medical issues that need to be resolved this can also extend the process a good deal (if you are medically disqualified but interested in Naval Nuclear Power, consider the Civilian Prime Contractors listed towards the bottom right of the homepage: BPMI, BMPC, Naval Nuclear Laboratories). A couple of years ago the average application time was about 6-7 months. We've been able to reduce that average to about 2-3 months and are continuing to look for ways to streamline the process.
9. How do I get onto a list for the next Interview in DC?
Answer: I make the list monthly based on (a) how many spots we have available for the interview -- usually 30-35, (b) what designators/positions are most in demand by the Navy (most Nuclear Officers are Submarine officers so the majority of our interview spots go to them) (c) who has their applications completed. To expound a bit, to have your application completed for purposes of being ready to interview in DC you need the following items to be done:
1. Complete your "Program Documents" and submit them to your recruiter.
2. Complete a physical at MEPS and supply any additional documentation required as needed to obtain medical approval.
3. Complete your "SF86" and submit your fingerprints to the Office of Personnel Management in order to commence your security investigation.
In addition to this, in most cases we require applicants to take the trip to San Diego (the "NVIP") to see a Submarine and Surface Ship and interact with Officers in positions they might one day have. This is able to be waived in specific circumstances, but only rarely. The trip is free, informative, and does not involve any sort of obligation, so it's a silly thing to try to avoid anyways. Most people like what they see, but a minority do come away having decided not to pursue the program any further.
10. What is the pass rate in DC?
Answer: Averaged over the past several years the pass rate has been right at 90%. In the past 6 months, this has trended upward slightly, but there can be a good bit of variation from month-to-month. I've seen it be as high as 96% some months and as low as 80% in others. Study hard and make sure you aren't in the minority! (for perspective, the most recent interview on June 22nd had 33 applicants of which 31 were accepted. This was slightly above average, but in the normal range)
11. Is the Navy NUPOC Program a Scholarship?
Answer: No. While the purpose of the NUPOC Program is to pay you while in school to let you focus on your studies (and make the program appealing to elite Engineering and other college students so that we only bring in the best applicants), it does not function as a scholarship. Your pay will go directly into a checking account twice a month and nothing will be given directly to the school. You can use this to pay for tuition or other expenses as you see fit.
12. Is NUPOC a better deal than NROTC scholarships? What are the differences?
Answer: It really depends on your situation and your goals going forward. Below are the advantages as I see them.
Advantages of NROTC scholarships over the NUPOC Program:
1. Unlike NUPOC which you can enter a maximum of 30 months prior to graduation, you can start an NROTC program when you arrive at a college.
2. As an NROTC midshipman, you have the option to choose Submarine / Surface Nuclear options but are also able to pursue non-nuclear options such as Pilot, Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Naval Flight Officer and Non-Nuclear Surface Warfare.
3. In some cases, the cost of your education which is covered by the NROTC scholarship will exceed the amount of pay you would get from NUPOC.
Advantages of the NUPOC Program over NROTC Scholarships:
1. Time in NUPOC counts as active duty service
a. Earn Leave (vacation) days at a rate of 30/year while in school which accumulate
b. NUPOC time counts towards Retirement (NROTC time does not)
2. NUPOC is the ONLY path to a job as a Power School or Prototype Instructor
3. NUPOC requires no special classes, uniforms or drilling once accepted (ROTC does)
4. NUPOC time counts towards GI Bill benefits
a. NROTC time doesn't count and actually delays receipt of GI Bill benefits by an additional five years (so you would not receive these benefits in full until 8 years after commissioning).
b. Naval Academy works the same way as NROTC in this regard
5. NUPOC pay is more flexible in that it comes to you personally and not directly to your University.
6. NUPOC allows you to select a particular job immediately upon acceptance to the program, while ROTC does not permit you to choose until your Senior year.
In summary, looking at the short term monetary benefits in a vacuum, the determination as to which is better depends on the cost of tuition and resultant size of your NROTC scholarship vs. your NUPOC Program pay. Zooming out and looking at the big picture, the other benefits of NUPOC significantly outweigh those of ROTC in most cases, but you should take the time to examine your specific circumstances. One big caveat, however: NUPOC is only a good deal if you want to do one of the positions we offer (seems obvious, right?!). If you're interested in the Navy but lukewarm about the Nuclear jobs that we offer and think that Pilot might be more up your alley, then NROTC is probably the ticket.
13. I was excited to do NUPOC but I can't because I can't get my medical clearance (or some other reason). What are my options?
Answer: There are a variety of reasons you might be unable to pursue the NUPOC program. This answer will assume that you meet the academic profile to be considered. Given that, the most common reason you might not be able to complete an application and go to interview is an issue at MEPs obtaining medical clearance. If this happens to you, but you are still interested in the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, I would recommend you look at the opportunities at our civilian laboratories and design/production facilities, Naval Nuclear Laboratories, and BPMI.
14. I went to the interview, but was not accepted. What can I do? Can I reinterview later?
Answer: We hope and expect that everyone we bring to DC will be accepted, otherwise we would not bring you that month and would allow you to study longer (for the record, you can always delay to a later interview and should never feel pressure to go a particular month from our office or your recruiter). The reality, however, is that not everyone passes. In some circumstances, the Admiral will say "No" at the interview, but will leave the door open for you to come back at a set point in the future, for example after another semester or year of classes. This is most common with applicants early in their academic career who he sees potential in but had some shaky technical interviews, but can happen to anyone. If you are invited to come back, this will be communicated to you in DC. Otherwise, the door is shut to second chances at an interview.
Having said that, you are still encouraged to pursue the opportunities at our civilian contractors linked at the right and above in the answer to number 13. Additionally, you could still pursue opportunities as a Naval Officer in a non-Nuclear community such as Pilot, Naval Flight Officer, Surface Warfare, Navy Civil Engineering Corps and others. Most of the benefits discussed on this page of being a Nuclear Officer also apply to these other communities, though your actual job would obviously be different. If you met our screening to come to interview in DC, you are likely to be highly competitive for these alternative options.
15. Does NUPOC have internships? I'd be more interested in those b/c I'm still far from graduation.
Answer: Yes and no. There are a few internships and fellowships available through the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program (linked at right) such as SULI and a few positions with our civilian design/research laboratories. The application processes for these are all separate from NUPOC.
The important thing to keep in mind here is that NUPOC will NOT preclude you from doing outside jobs / co-ops / internships / research while you complete your degree. These could be with us, or outside firms as you see fit. If you're getting paid in this role that has no impact on your NUPOC pay -- it just means you're receiving two paychecks. The only time we would ask you to steer clear of activities outside of school is if you are overextending yourself and your academics are clearly suffering as a result. You should also be forthright with firms you might work about your post-graduation commitments.
16. If NUPOC is so awesome, why don't more people do it?
Answer: First, for perspective, quite a few actually do. Over 300 applicants attend interviews each year for the NUPOC program.
After that, the three key constraints are (a) building awareness among the target audience, (b) Overcoming the "different" factor, and (c) high competitive standards for the program mean many people who want to pursue it are ineligible.
No one can apply for a program that they don't know about, and there is some initial hesitation to pursue a path that is very different than most of the alternatives applicants might be considering. On balance, I think the differences for NUPOC are a huge positive, but it takes time and research for individuals to determine if they agree with my assessment in their own unique circumstances. I also built this website to lower the barrier to entry for finding information about the program, as previously there was no compiled resource. It is my hope that by making it easy for people to research the program it will facilitate an informed decision to (or not to) pursue an application.
17. What are the downsides of NUPOC?
Answer: It depends on the position that you are seeking, but I'll give my general take with respect to submarines (my path in the program) --- again with the caveat that this is one man's opinion and intended only as food for thought. I'm not going to discuss the many positives here because there's quite a bit of discussion of them elsewhere on the site. I do think they strongly outway any downsides, but this discussion may be valuable for you.
(a) (After graduation) The job is genuinely hard. Not every single day is filled with mind-wracking challenges, but you will frequently be exposed to new environments, given significant responsibility over people, programs, and systems, and there can be periods of long hours and a lot of stress. This is especially true while you are qualifying (learning how to do your job when you show up on the submarine), preparing for major inspections or operational examinations, or leading dynamic missions overseas. I don't really consider the difficulty to be a downside (few things of value are easy, in my experience), but it depends on your perspective.
(b) (If you select Submarines / Surface) Sometimes you will be gone for training or missions. This is a minority of the time you are attached to the submarine (for me it was ~35% in total) or surface ship, but it's not insignificant. In most cases, you still have contact via email to friends and loved ones, but if you are on a critical mission overseas where transmitting messages could give away your location, this could be curtailed for a period as well. I didn't mind this aspect much, and I actually found being at sea to be comfortable and relaxing after I settled into my routine after a couple of days, but this is clearly a difference.
(c) "Duty". Unlike an office job, not every single person goes home at the end of the day. The enlisted crew (you won't be in this group) is split up into duty sections which rotate and one "section" of sailors remain onboard throughout the night. At least one and sometimes two officers will stay to be in charge of the Sub/ship and these sailors should something go wrong. In this role, you are responsible for the submarine and are the Commanding Officer's direct representative.
You are not "working" the whole time. You're basically there to be the go-to leader if a major event happens. You also tour the submarine before bed to ensure that nothing is out of the ordinary. Otherwise, you can read, sleep, study, play video games, watch TV, etc -- but you're doing it on the submarine that night.
18. Does the NUPOC program value "diversity"? Do race or gender quotas exist?
In line with the broader military, we do seek a diverse pool of applicants that mirrors the population of the country we serve. Having said that, diversity never takes precedence over the objective qualification standard that all applicants must meet in order to be accepted. In all cases, the officer next to you once you are commissioned in the NUPOC program will have gone through the exact same process as you and met the same standard. We do actively participate in programs with NSBE, AISES, SHPE, SWE, etc, to find qualified applicants of all backgrounds, and we are always looking for ways to build awareness of the program to all qualified potential applicants.
There are some gender limits, but these have no bearing on required qualifications and are purely a function of logistical realities -- for example, Submarine Officer positions only became available to females in the past 5 years and less than half of the 70+ operational submarines have been converted to accommodate both genders. As such, the number of female Submarine Officer positions is quite limited, but growing gradually as more are converted.
19. I heard that I can't travel abroad if I'm in NUPOC. Is this true?
No, that is not true. I've personally visited over 20 countries while on active duty (about 1/3 were with the Navy, the rest for pleasure on my own dime). There may be places that you can't go due to concerns with your security clearance or your safety (Iran, Iraq, Syria, China, Russia, Mali, Libya, Egypt, North Korea --- probably off the table for starters), but travel is absolutely permitted. Once you are accepted, you will need to discuss pending travel plans and will likely have to submit a "chit" which is basically a formal notification of where you are going to be and a request that it be approved, and you will need to watch a couple of basic safety training videos online, but all in all the process is fairly painless. If you have specific questions and are already in the process of applying you should ask your recruiter.
20. I'm trying to study for my upcoming interviews, but the list of study topics on this site is vague and doesn't have example problems or answers on it. How should I focus my studies?
It's true that the list of study topics (see link on right side of this page) is fairly vague and does not include specific practice questions. This is on purpose and is the result of specific guidance we have from Naval Reactors. Having said that, I can provide some general guidance / thoughts on how best to prepare:
(a) Take advantage of individuals who you may know that have already been to an interview. Pick their mind and see if they have any lessons learned. You might also practice a couple of interviews with them.
(b) Master your core Calculus and Physics topics. These classes are prerequisites to apply and are by far the most commonly asked questions during interviews. Once you are comfortable with these topics then delve into technical aspects of your major and the other topics noted on the list of study topics (buoyancy, electrical circuits, thermodynamics, chemistry, etc).
(c) Review other study material. Open courseware from MIT, KhanAcademy, YouTube videos walking through technical questions, NUPOC study guides compiled by various universities who have had many applicants come through the interview process, etc.
If you follow this guidance and devote the appropriate amount of time to being prepared for the interviews you should be well-positioned to be successful in DC. Remember, however, that technically any coursework that you've taken is fair game to be asked about. If you have an anomalously poor grade in a particular course one of your interviewers may ask a question from that material also.
21. Do I get BAH and BAS during the training at OCS, Power School, and Prototype? Or does that not start until after I am done with those training periods?
As discussed separately on this site, your pay while in NUPOC consists of your "base pay", "BAS", and"BAH". Once you report to OCS or ODS in Newport, RI, you will have your food and lodging provided free of cost until you graduate, so your food and housing allowances are suspended for the 2-3 months you are there (BAS/BAH respectively). They resume as soon as you graduate (at the O1 paygrade instead of E6/E7 before starting OCS) and this will continue through the rest of your Navy career.
You will have the option in some cases to live on Navy-provided housing which is "free" but negates your BAH. I never did this (or even seriously considered it) because it was always easy to find what I considered to be much more appealing options (ie. Beach > Navy Base) for less than the total BAH amount and thereby bank a substantial sum each month. I'm just mentioning it because it's an option. If you meet me in DC, feel free to ask about housing options in Charleston and afterwards.
22. I'm currently enlisted (Active duty or reserves) in the (Army / Air Force / Marine Corps / Navy / Coast Guard) but I have a degree. Can I apply via NUPOC?
This one is tricky, so I strongly recommend that you reach out to our office if you are in this scenario. If you are in the Navy, then you should work with your Command Career Counselor to look at officer programs (including nuclear). In a few cases NUPOC is an option for active duty sailors who are in the Nuclear Community. If you are in a separate branch then NUPOC is an option provided that all of your approvals to depart your current command and branch of service can be obtained.
22. I GOT ACCEPTED! I want to prepare for Nuclear Power School. What should I do?
First - Congratulations. The real keys to success once you're accepted into the program are to (A) Continue your strong academic performance (and improve upon it if possible) and (B) avoid any activities that could jeopardize your position in NUPOC and your future commission as an officer (ie. don't do anything that impugnes your honor, is illegal, or is against military regulations. Drug use and underage drinking are two major things to watch out for, but not the only ones). Since you should be financially secure with your NUPOC pay, now might be the time to look for opportunities for leadership positions at clubs, in student government, with charitable organizations etc. This isn't required, but its a great chance to make an impact (and pad your resume!).
Once you're done with school and waiting to go to OCS/ODS or after that and waiting to go to Nuclear Power School, it might be helpful to review the unclassified Nuclear Power School curriculum (drawn from the Navy's Applied Engineering Principles). I strongly caution you that the most important thing is to enter Power School mentally prepared for a fast-paced learning experience, and that you should not over-exert yourself trying to prepare beforehand.
-----
As I indicated, if there are additional questions related to any aspect of the NUPOC Program that you have which are not addressed here and you are not getting satisfactory answers from your recruiter please feel free to contact me at the portal at the bottom of this site.
Hi, thanks for this site. I'm crossposting this from reddit.com/r/newtothenavy, hope that's okay. Have a couple questions that I'm still not clear on.
ReplyDeleteI'm currently a rising senior looking at NUPOC/nuke officer. I'm an economics major with a minor in math (calc 1-3, linear algebra, also did Analysis), and gpa is 3.86, but I haven't taken any physics classes.
I know the program asks for 1 year of calc and 1 year of calc based physics, but my question is, is this a strict requirement in the sense that the navy needs to see the physics classes on my transcript? I ask because I'll have the time this semester to self-study the material on the NUPOC study guide, but I don't have enough credits to take the physics classes proper, except maybe at a community college after graduation perhaps.
Last, I would want to go sub; I notice from this site that sub and SWO nuke are the only ones where a technical major is not required, but I think sub would be the one for me.
Thanks for your help,
Ben
Ben,
DeleteI'm glad you are finding this to be a helpful resource. I'm also glad you're leaning towards Subs... it was my choice also so I am quite biased!
Regarding your question regarding physics, it is sometimes waived but that is on a case by case basis. The fact that you are in your last year makes it more likely, but you really just need to reach out to your school's recruiter and ask for a pre-screen. For what it is worth, I am optimistic that your case would be given a thumbs up based on your GPA, but I can't be certain.
Cheers from Bali,
Brian
Thanks. My recruiter responded:
Delete"Nuclear officers must have an engineering degree with a very competitive GPA."
But I haven't spoken with him too much, he wants to see the results of a pulmonary function test for asthma first, so perhaps once that's cleared I can let him know that I'll work my best to get nuke.
Ben
Ben,
DeleteYour recruiter is wrong. Two of the 12 LTs who run NUPOC Accessions are economics majors, and while most applicants are indeed engineering majors we get a steady stream of liberal arts applications as well. Having a non-technical major takes Instructor and NRE positions off the table. Send me an email with detailed information on your GPA, major, grades in math/technical courses, recruiters name and summary of your question. I am out of the office in Asia for two weeks but will forward it to colleagues in the office.
No promises that it will work, but it isn't a blanket "no".
Cheers from Bali
Also, did you take AP Physics? That can be helpful.
ReplyDeleteTo send email use the portal at bottom of the homepage. It goes to my personal Gmail.
Would there be any constraints for a student-athlete in terms of getting accepted into the program? I am a division 1 football player and I am very interested in this program because the USNA did not work out, however, I am unsure of how football will impact my ability to do so.
ReplyDeleteApologies for the delay -- I did not see this until just now. There are no restrictions on athletics, so long as you maintain your academic performance. There really isn't any time commitment on your end outside of your normal routine of classes and extracurriculars (in your case, Football) so there should not be any interference.
DeleteThere are actually quite a few D1 football (and other sports) players in the program. This isn't D1, but here's a video that gives a bit of a case in point: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMEPvQcYsF4
DeleteIf accepted into the NUPOC program will you receive BAQ\VHA\BAS while your attending college? Is E6 basepay your only entitlement?
ReplyDeleteThomas, You have 3 separate portions of your pay while in the NUPOC program. (1) Base Pay, (2) BAH (Housing Allowance), and (3) BAS (Subsistence/Food allowance). Links for all of them are on the right side of the page, and I walk through how to calculate what your total will be (BAH varies based on location) during NUPOC and then afterwards as an Officer in the "What is NUPOC" Discussion (see link on menu bar near the top of the page).
ReplyDeleteLT Linville, I have a question about the process.
ReplyDeleteI was going to have a final interview at DC last year but NR did not let me go due to my security reason. I was informed that 3 days before the final interview. I went to the VIP tour and passed the medical test and the first phone interview. I also had a flight ticket to the DC interview. However, they told me that they do not usually accept the applicants who became a US citizen less than a year. I actually earned a US citizenship last April and submitted my application right away because I was waiting for it.
This was my situation. My question is that "is the application for top security clearance going to be submitted after OCS?" I am confused between top security clearance and the background check from the entity. NR told me that if my background gets cleared by the entity, they would reconsider my application. But I haven't heared any update for my background check about 5 months. I heared that they have lots of delays. I do not know why.
I am waiting until late April because I am going to be a US citizen for a year. But some people told me that if NR denied my application, I would not be eligible for NUPOC anymore. Is this true?
I really need to know the process of this program because I have been preparing this program for a year and half. I really want to get in this program.
Thank you for reading my question.
Wonseok
Wonseok, There are two processes that run in parallel for security clearance to interview. One is the actually processing of a security investigation by the Office of Personnel Management. This is the standard process for all government positions that require a security clearance. The second process is specific to Navy Nuclear Programs and is handled within the Office of Naval Reactors.
ReplyDeleteA variety of issues can result in a failure to receive a clearance to interview from either of those two paths. Often if citizenship has only recently been obtained it will cause them to deny a request or to want to delay for some period.
Send a note via the portal at the bottom of this page and include the name of your recruiter and any other pertinent information and I'll try to look into it when I'm back in the office. I'll be gone this week for the March DC Interviews.
If your secret clearance was obtained via OPM, it is possible that NR would look at that fact and reconsider their initial answer, but I can't say for certain whether or not they will do so.
LT. Linville, thank you so much for your answer.
ReplyDeleteMy recruiter was LT. Shaun Penrod, but his shore duty was done right after my application was denied. Now, LT Kyra Borromeo is my recruiter. The office is located in Santa Monica in CA. They were very helpful and willing to help me all the time. I am trying to keep contacting my recruiter to know if there is any update from my security clearance.
Previous Recruiter: LT. Shaun Penrod
Current Recruiter: LT. Kyra Borromeo
Office Location: Santa Monica, CA
Applicant: Wonseok Yoon
Process: Finished NVIP tour, Medical and Phone Interview
I look forward to hearing from you next week.
Thank you.
Please reach out via the portal all the way at the bottom of the page as well. Below the eagle image.
ReplyDeleteLt. Linville,
ReplyDeleteMy son started getting interested in applying for the NUPOC program about eight months ago, and just before the holidays he was pre-screened and passed for subs. He made his decision to apply and put his application in about late Feb, early March. He waited five weeks and after not hearing anything he started calling and emailing his recruiter to no avail. After several weeks he took another route and was put in touch with another recruiter who apologized and told him his previous recruiter was no longer there and asked him to please resubmit his application, which he did. A week later he was asked to resubmit an unofficial transcript, and then the following week (about three weeks ago) my son was told they are going to wait until this semester's grades are out before proceeding.
I am trying to understand the whole process and why the delays. I was under the assumption the application process went fairly quick for those who were found to be qualified. My son is extremely gifted, especially in math and physics. He had over 70 college credits, mostly in upper level math before graduating high school. He is now enrolled in a 3-2 program shared between Lenoir-Rhyne University and Clemson, where he will complete his degree requirements for a BS in Physics this week (a year early) at LRU and transfer to Clemson for his engineering degree.
Is it possible the Navy is taking longer to decide on him because he is not attending one of the upper tier schools you mentioned on the applicant profile page? Also his first recruiter was a first class and his present one is a chief, I thought officers were recruited by officers. I am a former Radioman 1st class (SW), 10 years service. Once I contacted a recruiter, I couldn't get them to quit calling.
Look forward to hearing from you,
Dale
Hi Dale,
DeleteI'm out of the country on leave at the moment, but I forwarded this data to my office to attempt to figure out how best to proceed. Please reach out on the portal at the bottom of this page so I can communicate with you via email.
Best,
Brian
Hi Lt. Linville,
ReplyDeleteI really like the NUPOC program and want to be a NR engineer. I am a graduate Mechanical Engineer from LSU with 3.882 GPA and 2nd in my class (All A's in math and physics classes). My ACT score was 24 (19 English and 32 Math). The ACT score was not high because I came as a junior in High school and took the ACT test first week in the US. I sent my ACT and transcript for the academic screening. However, I did not pass it. I am really like the NUPOC program. Does it mean that I would never have a chance to be part of NUPOC program?
Thanks so much!
Leon
Hi Leon,
DeleteI just realized that I did not reply to this earlier. My sincere apologies. Short answer would have been that (a) no, you could still apply for other roles via NUPOC if denied for NRE, and (b) there are two reasons to be turned down for a position: academic stats and number of billets left available. I'm not sure which it was in your case, but if there were positions remaining and you were turned down due to academics, I'd look at the ACT and (even thought it's inconvenient) recommend that you think about retaking that to improve your performance -- assuming this is definitely the path you wanted to pursue.
Short answer and easier answer is to see if SUB/SWO/INST roles appeal to you.
Hope all has turned out well in whatever you chose to pursue.
LT. Linville,
ReplyDeleteI appreciate all of the information you have supplied with this blog. Here is my question:
If someone is commissioned to be a submarine or surface officer, do they have any choice of where in the country they live (excluding the "junior officer tour" time period, of course)? Does their home need to be in close proximity to one of the respective homeports, and can it be any of the homeports?
Best,
Justin
Short answer - - yes, mostly. Everyone will go to Newport, RI for OCS/ODS and then to Charleston, SC for Nuclear Power School. After that the group splits in half with one group staying in Charleston and the other going to Saratoga Springs, NY for Prototype. For operational positions (ship or sub) you get to put in preferences for type of ship/sub, home port, coast, etc. The Navy (your "detailer" at Navy Personnel Command, really) will attempt to match officers with their top choices as closely as possible.
ReplyDeleteIn terms of where you actually live, that's up to you but remember that you will need to get to work every work day so consider the associated commute.
On nice perk of the Navy over other services is that most places you can get stationed are places you actually might want to live.
"on" should have been "one". Too much time at Vino Volo on this layover apparently...
ReplyDeleteMy question may seem a bit strange and requires a bit of back story but I have been back and forth with this so I figured I’d just ask. I am 22 in my junior year at a university my first few semesters in college I messed around and got very poor grades tanking my GPA to be honest it’s barely a 2.0. with respect to that I feel that talking to a recruiter is a waste of time for both me and them because I’m only interested in the NUPOC program for either the Reactors engineer (D.C. job) or the instructor not that I am completely opposed to it I would prefer those over ship/sub. I figured I’d ask on here as you would most likely know way more than the recruiter would about deciphering my situation. After getting myself together and really figuring out what I want to do I got my act together and took all of the calculus - based physics courses and the calculus courses through ODE and such receiving all “A’s” but my GPA is still embarrassing low. I plan to take the ASVAB before the fall semester begins to even see if I can qualify for the navy nuclear program. But realistically though would I even be considered for the NUPOC program with such a bad overall GPA? Even with my semester(s) GPA for when I took those math courses was a 4.0? Any information would be greatly appreciated as being a NR engineer in D.C. is my main goal. I just hope that the mistakes I made back then don’t come to haunt me when I’ve found something I really want to do.
ReplyDeleteThank you
Sorry for the delayed response. If you got your GPA up significantly from where you started they might give you a shot at NUPOC given the upward trend. I saw a couple people get into the program with below a 3.0 in similar cases, but I literally mean like 2-3 people out of 600+ that I took to interview. See if you can retake any of your early classes. Replacing C's and D's with A's has a powerful impact on GPa.
DeleteAre there any restrictions or obstacles to entering the NUPOC program if one is color deficient? I've heard surface/subs is out but NRs may still be in play.
ReplyDeleteIt depends on the extent of the deficiency. The short answer is that they'll screen you for it and if your color vision doesn't meet the criteria that is set out then Sub/Surface/Prototype Instructor are out. Naval Reactors and Power School Instructor are still possibilities.
DeleteDo you know where I can find exact dates and where to sign up for a trip to San Diego? I am considering the NUPOC program but I really wanted to check out what exactly you so before I committed. Also, my friend is a senior in high school and he was interested. Would he be allowed to come on the San Diego trip? Thank you!
ReplyDeleteYou will need to complete the first part of the application to be able to go, so you'll have to reach out to an officer Recruiter. They will know the dates (they're conducted monthly, and the trips are called "NVIPs"). Once you complete your "Program Documents" (the first step I mentioned) you'll get signed up for a trip. Assuming you like what you see, you'll then complete the application and eventually go to the final Interviews in Washington, DC. If not, then just express that you're no longer interested -- but at least you'll have been able to explore it and find that out.
ReplyDeleteHow many applicants actually get invited to DC for the interview? I'm interested in the NUPOC program but I want to keep my options open.
ReplyDelete25-30/month get invited. You will not be committed to anything before going to interview and getting accepted if you get that far.
DeleteI appreciate the fast response and I have another couple of questions for you. How does the amount of applicants that get invited to the interview compare to the amount of applicants that don't even get that far? Also, if I am not accepted into the NUPOC program, is there another way to become a submarine officer?
DeleteIt's a hard question to answer because there are a lot of different places that attrition can occur in the application. If you only look at those who are academically qualified, are able to pass a medical and security screen, and who attend an orientation trip and it confirms that they want to join, then I'd say that a solid majority make it to the interview. There is a phone interview screening process that weeds some out, but if you're motivated and spend some time preparing it shouldn't be an issue.
DeleteIf you look at the entire universe of people who express interest initially, then a much smaller fraction make it, but most of those who don't were determined to not be qualified for one or more reasons.
If you are not accepted into NUPOC there are basically 2 other ways you could become a submarine Officer. (1) via an NROTC program if it's offered at your university and (2) enlist as a Navy Nuke (mechanic, electrician, or electronics technician) and be a rock star for the first couple of years. The Navy tries to funnel a lot of its top-performing enlisted personnel into Officer positions.
Would an individual still be able to apply for the NUPOC even if he left the DEP for the enlistment side years prior to applying? And could someone who has just transferred to a university from a community college be able to apply?
ReplyDeleteTwo part answer to a two part question.
Delete(1) Having been in DEP and left is not an issue unless you were removed for some performance-based or criminal reason. If you just left before being contractually obligated to the Navy, it's water under the bridge. I'd confirm with your recruiter, but I'm 99.999999 percent sure on that one.
2. Anyone can apply. Realistically, NR will want to see at least two semesters of grades at a 4-yr university (or at least that was always my experience). If you wanted to try before then, you could always submit a pre-screen (your recruiter will/should know what that is) to see that way you're not wasting time too early.
Thank you for the reply! I'm currently a math major and I also just graduated from a nuclear technology program accredited by INPO. Wish me luck I plan on getting in contact with a recruiter soon.
DeleteMy son is in the process of entering the program. He is on his VIP trip now...my question concerns student loan repayment. Once accepted is the loan repayment program limited to post acceptance or is it for all his student loans? When do the repayments begin? And, lastly, is the sign on bonus a set figure or does it depend on degree/gpa/college?
ReplyDeleteHi Stephanie,
DeleteNUPOC doesn't have a "loan repayment" plan per se. He'll receive a paycheck bi-monthly if accepted which he can use as he sees fit. Similarly, the bonus comes as a lump sum upon acceptance, and can be used as desired. He could choose to devote all or most of this money towards loan repayments. His time in NUPOC also starts earning him VA benefits and counts as time towards a military retirement if he decides to go that route.
The pay grade through NUPOC is as E-6, correct? Then upon graduation and heading off to OCS, he would get his commission and base pay goes to O-1 salary correct?
ReplyDeleteThat's correct. It is possible to get a "promotion" in terms of pay while in NUPOC to the E-7 level by referring someone to the program who is ultimately accepted, but E-6 is the starting point. BAH (housing allowance) is based on wherever his university is while in NUPOC, then it shifts to wherever his orders are (initially charleston, SC, but then it will vary based on what ship / submarine he goes to).
DeleteThat's correct. It is possible to get a "promotion" in terms of pay while in NUPOC to the E-7 level by referring someone to the program who is ultimately accepted, but E-6 is the starting point. BAH (housing allowance) is based on wherever his university is while in NUPOC, then it shifts to wherever his orders are (initially charleston, SC, but then it will vary based on what ship / submarine he goes to).
ReplyDeleteGood Morning Brian,
ReplyDeleteI am wondering if you have a good point of contact I might be able to direct some very specific questions regarding prior Enlisted Service, and its relation to this program. I separated from the Navy this year as a Chief Nuclear Electronics Technician. I have 8 years of prior service, currently going to school, and maintaining a 4.0 GPA but will be pushing up against the 31 year old age limit (I am currently 26). Do you know how prior service is accounted for with regards to age requirements (recruiters have given me different answers)? Additionally do you have any information on frequency of lateral transfer from NUC Instructor to EDO?
Thank you in advanced,
Nicholas Newcomb
Nicholas,
DeleteIt would be considered. Shoot me a message via the portal at the bottom and I'll put you in touch with the LT who is currently managing DC interviews.
Best regards,
Brian
Hello,
ReplyDeleteI have a BA in physics/mathematics with a strong GPA from a small college and I was wondering how candidates like me are viewed. Is is better if I complete a master's in engineering? I believe I have interest in the NR engineering program specifically.
Thanks
For NRE, a BA in anything from a small college is likely a non-starter. I can't say for sure, but I'm at 99%. Depending on your GPA and SAT/ACT scores you'd be competitive for any of the other positions.
DeleteWith an Engineering Masters from a top 20-30 Engineering program you'd get a strong look for NRE but still no guarantees. The screening can be fickle, because they only accept people with a background that they need at a given time.
I am 32 years old with 10 years prior service in the Air Force. I have a bachelors in professional aeronautics (was an air traffic controller), a masters in international relations and another in applied economics (econometrics focused). For the past 3.5 years I have been employed as a data scientist for an economic firm - highly technical role, just not an engineering.
ReplyDeleteAre their age waivers for those who want to go Nuke Sub Officer i.e., the OCS route with Nuke School in Charleston? I believe I meet the academic requirements, more statistics than pure mathematics.
If I remember correctly, the age limit for Instructor positions goes up to 35. On the Sub / SWO side it's 29, but waivers are considered for individual cases above that. Your best bet will be to reach out to a recruiter and have them submit a pre-screen that explains your academic and service background. I'd also look at the Supply Corps and Intel given your economics and international relations degrees. Sorry that's not more definitive. My guess is that with your background there will be one or more officer communities who will find a way to "get to yes" on the age.
DeleteThank you! A few weeks ago SWO raised their age limit to 35 for prior service with excellent reports and highly qualified, which I guess I am as the recruiter is working hard for me. I was wondering if it was the same for Sub, though instructor makes more sense at 35, though I will have the recruiter submit a pre-screen. Currently my application is being submitted in January for SWO and Intel though I will look at Supply particularly if Sub is ruled out. Ideally I would like an operational job (SWO/Sub) but will accept the support roles as being a Navy Officer is my main goal.
DeleteSounds like the right path to me. Good luck! If they raised it for SWO then I wouldn't be surprised if the same occurred for Nuke SWO/SUBS, but I don't have any data on that either way.
DeleteThere are perks to the non-Nuke paths you mentioned as well. I'm partial to the Nuclear community, but we all play for the same team!
Can I retake SAT and apply to NUPOC program again?
ReplyDeleteIf you were not able to interview due to low SAT scores you would likely be able to re-apply with updated scores. There is no guarantee that you'd be accepted the second time, but they would process the updated application at least.
DeleteNote that this is based on my experience until leaving the NUPOC office a few months ago. I assume nothing has changed on that front, but you could confirm with your Recruiter as well.
Hello Lt. Linville,
ReplyDeleteI have completed my application, taken the VIP trip, and am presently awaiting my technical phone interview. Assuming an applicant is selected, what is the minimum GPA/grade requirement necessary for the applicant to maintain while in school? Can you get c's, and if so what is the "cap" on the number one can receive? I anticipate encountering my hardest course material in the coming semesters, and have found scant information regarding this requirement. Also, thank you for all the information; it has been an invaluable resource.
The expectation is that you keep your grades as high as possible and hopefully even improve upon your GPA since with the NUPOC Pay you should not have any competing time requirements (IE. Work) to distract from your studies. I don't remember the exact requirements, but as long as you're staying above a 3.0 you won't be drawing any unwanted attention.
DeleteWhat happens if you're accepted into the program then end up needing an additional semester to complete degree? I have an opportunity to complete an engineering co-op but it will add an additional semester so I don't want to accept it if it will jeopardise my eligibility in the program.
ReplyDeleteThat is handled on a case by case basis. You should communicate that to your recruiter (the change and the underlying reason) so that they can help you get it approved. If it's something that is beyond your control, it likely will be rubber-stamped "approved". If it looks like you're stalling to collect a paycheck for longer then it likely won't be approved.
DeleteShort answer: communicate as early as possible and if your request is reasonable there is a good chance the NUPOC office will try to work with you.
I’ve recently read that as of last year, the Navy made policy regarding tattoos more lenient: enlisted soldiers were able to receive a waiver for tattoos on their neck so long as the content isn’t explicit. Does this apply to the NUPOC program as well or will eligibility be affected if I have a neck tattoo?
ReplyDeleteI'm not 100% sure how that works to be honest. Your local Recruiter will document any tattoos as part of the application and approvals/waivers will need to be obtained. My perception was always that these approvals were forthcoming in most cases unless the tattoo was offensive (IE. Drug/gang/racist etc).
DeleteYour best bet is to reach out to a recruiter at/near your school and ask specifically about your tattoos.
My son is very interested in the program. He has been told he needs a 3.0 which after this semester should be no problem. The recruiter has told him that his SAT verbal score is low (470) but he is a graduating senior from one of the top ten engineering schools with a degree in Chemical Engineering. I just don't know what he can do about a score from 4 years ago. His math was over 700.
ReplyDeleteThat verbal score is quite low, and a 3.0 GPA is basically the minimum that is considered (with very few exceptions). Having said that, with an excellent SAT math score at a top engineering school and what sounds like a positive trend in grades, I think he'd have a fairly good shot of getting approval to go through the interview process.
DeleteIf the SAT-V score prevented him from interviewing, he could retake the exam and improve it (we accept the best combined score), but that's not a fun prospect for him I suspect. He could also retake classes if he had particularly low grades in order to bring up his GPA.
What are the physical requirements for nupoc? I am an offensive lineman so I am pretty heavy. Are there weight, body fat, running requirements?
ReplyDeleteAlso, what is the policy on asthma? I have exercise induced asthma, though I rarely use my inhaler.
For physician requirements, you'll go through a medical examination one portion of which deals with height and weight. We've had collegiate football players (some linemen and linebackers) join in the past, but to be honest I don't know the exact requirements. You will have to pass a "PRT" (physical readiness test) but the only cardio requirement is a 1.5 mile run with fairly lax passing standards.
DeleteOn asthma, it depends on severity and recency of issues. It can be waived, or it can stop an application in its tracks. My guess is they'd have you get evaluated via a methacholine challenge test to evaluate whether it would be an issue. Best bet for all of your questions is to reach out to the local Officer Recruiter.
What happens if you develop health conditions while in the NUPOC program? Something like asthma or high blood pressure?
ReplyDeleteIt's rare, but typically if it's something that can be treated and you can still serve in the position you interviewed for then it would be. Generally speaking, if it precludes you from the position you interviewed for, then you would either (a) be looked at for an alternative position (the medical requirements are lower for instructor and NRE positions than for Submarine and Surface officers) or (b) be removed from the program.
DeleteI only can recall one specific example, and that was a collegiate (what you'd be called after being accepted into NUPOC but before going to Officer Candidate School or Officer Development School) who was diagnosed with cancer. While treatment was ongoing he was in a medical hold status of some sort (don't remember the exact details), but at the end of it he was cleared and able to remain in the program. I'm sure there were others that I've missed, but in general once you're accepted into the program the Navy wants you and will try to find a way to keep you in the program if that's possible.
Hope this helps. Big caveat here: I'm just speaking from what I recall and have observed. The ultimate decision will lie with a medical board at Navy Recruiting Command, in coordination with Naval Reactors and others with cognizant over medical/manpower/billeting issues.
----
Unless you did something illegal or that requires very significant scrutiny from the Navy, it is extremely likely that any pay you'd received up to that point would be safe and that you would not owe anything back.
*Cognizance. I have a bad habit of not reading these over before replying.
DeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI love this whole blog and the plethora of information you have provided on it. I am a Junior in high school and was wondering if there was any early action I could engage in, or even contact my local recruiter.
Thanks.
Other than do well in school and get into a university with a highly regarded STEM program, not a ton really. SAT/ACT scores are very important for both NUPOC and colleges, so I'd air on the side of over-preparing there. Once you're in college, be sure to complete your required calculus / physics courses in the first 3 semesters so you have the ability to join as soon as feasible and maximize the program benefits (you shouldn't join just for the benefits... but if you want to join, you might as well maximize them).
DeleteOh, and don't use drugs --- there is little to know tolerance for illicit drug use (exceptions are made for experimental marijuana use sometimes, but even that is an ordeal -- better to avoid the issue altogher). Note that the military abides by federal (ie. not states that legalize) drug policy.
I've recently become very interested in the NUPOC program. I had never heard of it during my undergrad. I graduated in 2015 with a BS in Applied Mathematics and a Computer Science minor from a small school. I've worked one year as an Army contractor and one year in the private sector IT field and don't feel challenged enough. If I decide to pursue the NUPOC program, would my best bet be to go for a second Bachelors or a Masters in engineering? Does the "scholarship" apply for either of those options or only for your first Bachelors?
ReplyDeleteYou should reach out to an officer recruiter in your area and request a "pre-screen". It may be that you're already able to apply. Alternatively, you could pursue another degree and try to use the program to be paid during it
DeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteI've been looking into the NUPOC program for about a year now and this blog has been very helpful. I'm an Economics major, graduating next May from a large state school, and my GPA will probably be around 3.5 this summer when I would be 19. I'll have finished through calculus 3 and I could also finish the physics sequence by then if I decided to apply. I know the real answer is to contact a recruiter, but would I would be a reasonable candidate for the program all things considered? I'm also concerned that my age would be an issue with the process or becoming officer because i'll be 19 when I graduate.
Thank you.
By virtue of not being a STEM major, you would not be eligible for instructor or NRE positions. Having said that, if your SAT/ACT scores are good (esp but not exclusively your math portion) then you sound like a you'd have a pretty good shot of a "yes" screen and at least a chance to start the interview process. I was an economics major, for what that's worth.
DeleteOn the age, I am getting fuzzy with time but I think 19 is the minimum. That'd be a question for your recruiter to answer. Your first step should be a pre-screen to confirm academic eligibility. They may require you to take the requisite physics courses before saying "yes", but I'd send it up anyways.
I apologize, ignore my reply. I realized you answered my question in the post.
DeleteSam,
DeleteYes - if you were a Math major or a double major with Math and Econ the door would be open to instructor roles (pending grades / test scores of course).
Hope that helps.
-Brian
Would a GPA of 3.86 in ME from Mississippi State University be fair enough to get me at least accepted for initial interviews? My Sat is 1280 and ACT a 29, if that helps. I’m wondering whether or not I should consider this given that my college isn’t necessarily the highest in regards to Academic Prestige or things of that nature.
ReplyDeleteWith those scores and GPA I'm confident you'd be academically screened "yes" and able to start the interviews. Good luck!
DeleteThere have actually be quite a few applicants from MSU be accepted (don't have any numbers available, but I can specifically remember a few).
I have been having trouble finding a clear answer on this but maybe I just missed it. If I were accepted into this program what would be my required service time?
ReplyDelete5 years of active duty, of which almost 2 are further education.
DeleteThere is an additional 3 years of inactive reserve time, but you have no obligations during this period. It is not the "one weekend a month, two weeks a year" variety.
If someone is accepted after or near the end of college graduation, then what happens to the pay you would have received in school? Can you negotiate a shorter commitment if you don't get your pay while in college?
ReplyDeleteShort answer: it's forfeited. You'd start being paid as of the day you're accepted, with all the promotions / raises occurring on a normal schedule thereafter.
ReplyDeleteLonger answer: if you want to get a few extra months of pay on the front end, there may be scope to request a later date to start Nuclear Power School, which would basically mean you're paid to do nothing or next-to-nothing for a few months. The dynamic at play is that most incoming officers are new graduates, and most graduations occur in April / May. As a result there's a large pool of applicants ready to start NPS in ~June, but Power School has limited capacity (a bit over 100 officers/class, with a new class starting every 2 months, if memory serves). As a result, a substantial portion of the May graduates will end up starting power school in either August or October.
Having said all that, if the program loses it's appeal without the added incentive of the pay during school, think seriously about whether its what you want. And if you do pursue it, take heart in the fact that Naval Academy grads like myself got 0.0 months of NUPOC pay before starting and also don't get full GI Bill benefits until 8 years of service (vice 3 for NUPOC). That difference is going to cost me $100k+ at Harvard over the next two years.
Hey Brian,
ReplyDeleteI am a senior EE student, at UTD. My gpa is around 3.1, my sat scores are pretty low, should I retake for a better chance.
-Parashar
Hi Parasher,
DeleteYes, I would if I were you. Good luck. Also consider the ACT. A positive trend in your grades, or the STEM classes pulling up your overall GPA would also be relatively helpful to your application.
I am currently going into my second year studying Chemical Engineering at Clemson and I am very interested in The NUPOC program, but I would also like to take advantage of the good CO-OP program here. This would have me graduate in 4 more years instead of 3, but the job exposure is something I would like to do. I am also interested in the Nuclear Reactor Engineer portion of NUPOC. When is the best time I need to sign up and am I allowed to do a CO-OP at some other company during my College years?
ReplyDeleteHi Garrett,
DeleteSorry for the delay. That's something you'd have to work out between the career services at the school and your recruiter. So long as the Navy is paying for max 18 months in school then I think it should be possible, but there are some technicalities that come into play.
Hi, so I learned that to become an officer that you need a top security clearance. Would one with dual nationality(Us and Korea) and foreign parents(both only posses Korean nationality) have a chance of getting cleared and become an officer?
ReplyDeleteThanks in advance :)
If it was China or Russia then definitely not.
DeleteI'm really not sure. Your best bet would be to discuss with a recruiter and ask if they can submit a pre-screen that includes academics and a summary of your family background to see if it would be accepted. There are two pieces: (1) your official security clearance, and (2) a Naval Reactors-specific security approval process. They usually match up, but sometime the NR version is more stringent and that's what the pre-screen could help with.
I'm an odd one I have a BS from University of Florida in biology with a chemistry minor, and a masters in microbiology from UGA and I have a few published papers. Currently I am contracted by Oak Ridge to work on a project funded by DHS at a large pharmaceutical company. I'm 26 at the moment and I have taken the a year of physics, thermodynamics and taken math up to Differential Equations. I wonder if I would be competitive enough with my strange background.
ReplyDeleteYou would be, though GPA would determine HOW competitive. I'd send in a pre-screen for all programs and see where it lands, then evaluate your options from there.
DeleteGood luck.
I am currently working on my PhD in physics, and I am interested in joining nupoc if possible. Is nupoc also compatible with people who are working on PhD's, not bachelors?
ReplyDeleteWe have had PhDs come through in the past, but I forget the details of how that worked. You'd need to ask a recruiter (who won't know the answer, but can reach out to the HQ in Tennessee to find it out).
DeleteI've just started the process of applying to NUPOC. If I've been smoking weed in a legal state the last couple months, how likely am I to get a waiver?
ReplyDeleteNot sure if this has changed, but when I was there weed was frowned upon, but only a deal-breaker if it was considered "recreational" use. If you call it "experimental" use instead and the frequency is below a certain threshold then it can be waived.
DeleteI expect this may change in the future as more places legalize, but I don't know of any changes now.
I really appreciate the information that you have provided. I am currently in the process of completing my graduation plan with my recruiter. I will be 2.5 years away from graduating with an Electrical Engineering degree as of January 2019. I am interested in becoming a NRE first of all, Power School instructor second. Can I start with the Power School instructor program first, and then switch to NRE as I am closer to completing my degree; granted I meet the requirements for NRE? I have a 4.0 GPA and 1330 SAT (Math and Reading).
ReplyDeleteTechnically yes, but practically its precarious to do. If you go for NPS instructor and are accepted you can try to game it and apply for NRE a year later, BUT if there are no spots (or more applicants than spots) they will receive preference.
DeleteGood luck. For me, the operative question would be, if I assume that I can't re-interview then am I going to still be satisfied with the NPS instructor position? That's a question you have to answer. If the answer is "no" then I'd just wait and forfeit the $$ in favor of peace-of-mind.
When does the time towards the five year commitment, promotion schedule, and "years of service" used to calculate pay start? Upon accepting the position and enlisting, or upon commissioning?
ReplyDeleteThere are two dates that matter: when you are accepted into the program at the interview in DC, and when you commission. For NRE / INST positions, you commission before going to ODS. For Submarines / Surface roles you commission at the end of OCS.
DeleteYou begin getting paid and accruing VA education and other benefits as soon as you are accepted at interview.
The five-year commitment clock starts after commissioning.
Hi! Thanks so much for putting together this wonderful resource. I'm in good shape academically but concerned about my background. I am a US Citizen, but both of my parents are Chinese nationals who reside in China. (I do not have a Chinese passport.) My values are completely different from theirs, and it'd be a shame to be unable to join NUPOC. What do you think? Based on a previous question and response, I'm not optimistic. Thanks for your help.
ReplyDeleteYou should submit a pre-screen and include in it a request for there to be a "security pre-screen" by naval reactors. The office that manages NUPOC applications can ask that NR review and assess whether it's possible for you to receive their approval.
DeleteMy guess, though I can't be sure, is that you will have a hard time getting approval given the connections to PRC. There is a much higher likelihood of being approved for a non-Nuclear officer position (e.g. Pilot, surface warfare, special forces, etc.)
Good luck!
Hi Brian,
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the info. I'd like to be an NRE but my undergrad (mathematics BS) GPA was only 3.1. However, I'm finishing my master's in physics right now and my GPA is currently 3.5. Would my undergrad GPA hurt my chances too much, or would my graduate degree and good standing be enough to offset that? Thank you.
Realistically the 3.1 would probably disqualify for NRE. You can submit a pre-screen via a recruiter though to see what your options are.
DeleteI am a rising junior Industrial Engineering major. I have taken two physics (got As in both), but they were algebra based, not calculus. Will this be a problem? (I additionally have taken Calc I-IV and differential equations).
ReplyDeleteIt will at least require a waiver. Talk to your recruiter and explain the situation. If you have good grades in calculus and other technical courses they might be able to execute a waiver. If I was still in the office that's the path I would push for.
DeleteI’m currently a sophomore in college and attending for a bachelors in mechanical engineering/aerospace and automotive engineering. I was talking to my local recruiter and he told me that I have to join as a enlisted sailor in the nuclear field as a machinist mate nuclear MMN or any other nuclear job. Then once I finish a school I can apply for the NUPOC program and go back to school to finish my bachelors degree is the correct? Because I was under the impression that I could apply for that program and finish my degree then go in as a officer with out taking time off of school
ReplyDeleteSee the reply below. It was intended as a reply to this comment. I'm celebrating freedom in the Hamptons and trying with limited success to reply via my cell.
DeleteDo not enlist. I don't know the details but it sounds to me like you're being misled. Feel free to email me at the portal at the bottom of this webpage. If you qualify you're better off doing NUPOC or another officer program.
ReplyDeleteThe recruiter basically said that after A school I would have to apply for the STA-21 program witch then I would be able to finish my degree then go in as a commissioned officer in the nuclear field. I scored high enough on my ASVAB to go in as a MMN then once I finish boot camp and A school I would then apply to the STA-21 program witch from what he said would allow me to finish my bachelors in Engineering and go on my path as a commissioned officer
ReplyDeleteHe's not wrong, but don't assume that ability to do STA-21 is a sure thing. It's easier to come in as an officer than it is to come in as enlisted and then transition to officer from within the military.
DeleteAlso I don’t know if it’s because he thought I wouldn’t be able to qualify for the NUPOC program yet because I will be currently taking calc one and physics this upcoming semester and that my GPA right now is currently a 2.90 but with a little extra work I can get it up into the low 3’s. I just wanna make sure I’m going down the right path before I sign any papers and find out later on when it’s to late that I can’t finish my degree and come a commission officer in the nuclear field witch I would like to go as a surface warfare officer if possible
ReplyDeleteEnlisting can be a good option, but if I were you I'd try to get your GPA up and apply for NUPOC. It's the best path to the Nuclear Navy.
DeleteI have a question and I might know the answer to it. But I still would like to ask you. I have a dual citizenship. I am still a Russian citizen. Even after renouncing my Russian citizenship is it still going to be a hard "no" to my application?
ReplyDeleteAsk your recruiter to do a "security prescreen". Make sure that you state the intent to renounce the Russian citizenship. This will get you an answer without you wasting a ton of time if the answer is in fact "no". I saw a few cases get through, but the scrutiny is tight for Russian and Chinese dual citizens, so it's worth checking but I wouldn't be super optimistic if I'm being honest.
DeleteIf you make it into the program, but something happens before you graduate college and you must leave the program, what are the consequences. Will you be forced to repay all the money which you have earned up to that point? Or will you have to serve a time as an enlisted seaman or reserves?
ReplyDeleteYou would have to repay the bonus but would (probably) not have to repay the monthly pay. The only way that would happen is if it was determined that you intentionally tried to defraud the government by applying and then removing yourself from the program later on purpose.
DeleteIf you enlist after your interview in DC, but something happens before you graduate college, are you able to leave the program without any consequences? Would they make you repay the wages you earned up to that point? Thanks
ReplyDeleteYou would definitely have to repay the bonus. Repayment of the monthly pay is unlikely as long as it doesn't appear that you purposefully are avoiding the commitment and thus trying to scam the government. There have been a couple instances where someone became sick or had other issues emerge that prevented commissioning, and I think they had the option of an honorable discharge or transfer to another officer program with less stringent physical requirements.
DeleteI am about to finish my Freshman year of college. I am a biochemistry major and I have A's in GenChem 1 & 2, Physics 2, and Calc 1. I have a B+ in Physics 1. However, I will most likely have a B or a C in Calc 2. OR because of the coronavirus and online classes I am allowed to have a Pass on my transcript instead. That said, I am not strong with integrals that aren't basic. This leads to my question, how complicated are the integrals given in interviews. This may be a dumb question but I couldn't find an answer anywhere else. Also, what are the major topics in physics that I should study. Obviously, its best to know everything but what topics are especially important to focus on.
ReplyDeleteGiven the choice between a "c" and a "pass" I'd take the pass.
DeleteFor physics it's mostly basic Newtonian concepts, and most of the calculus is relatively straightforward (though not all of it). Check out the link to the study guide (on right side of this site), and when you do the practice interviews you can discuss the topics that are most common with your interviewer. They won't send you to DC if they don't think you're prepared.
I’m retaking calc 2 and physics 1 this fall and then physics 2 in the spring. Can I apply while I’m taking physics 2 or should I wait until after I pass it?
ReplyDeleteHas the application process changed as of late due to COVID? And also, once you officially get sworn into the program, does the pay you receive from NUPOC taxed?
ReplyDeleteTo be honest I'm not sure re: COVID (I've not worked with the NUPOC program in a few years). To find out, you could ask your recruiter what the current protocols are. I know they'll be working to get back to normal processes as soon as everyone deems it safe to do so.
ReplyDeleteRegarding taxes, yes with a caveat. Your pay is split between your "base" pay and allowances (food, housing). Your base pay is taxed, but a significant percentage of what you'd receive is via those allowances which are not taxed so your effective tax rate is quite low (both because this keeps you in a lower tax bracket, and because much of the money is tax exempt).
I am a Nuclear Electricans mate veteran that finished out as an instructor at Power School. I started working on my degree when I got out and should finish 2021. Would I be able to get into the NUPOC program to be a DIO if I am an online student? Also I already have the token Nuclear Engineering Technology degree that I finished right as I got out, will that Affect anything? I'll also be 31 when I finish December 2021 are age wavers common?
ReplyDeleteYou'd need a waiver, but for DIO I think it's possible. I'd need to go back and check, though. Best bet is to reach out to a recruiter and explain the situation and see if it's an option.
DeleteAlso the pay for NUPOC, does it change depending on if youre enrolled half time or full time?
ReplyDeleteYou must be a full time student.
ReplyDeleteThank you for clarifying. If I was graduating in the Summer, instead of the Spring, would that be ok? Would I still be getting paid while taking my last class in the summer?
DeleteYeah it should be. As part of the application process you submit a degree completion plan which indicates your intended course load and graduation date. So long as it doesn't look like you're purposely delaying graduation to extend time collecting pay without working they will probably accept it.
DeleteHey man. I had a question regarding the GPA requirements within NUPOC. I am a senior at Georgia Tech finishing up my degree in chemical engineering. My GPA is a 3.06, with A's in all calculus/diff EQ excluding Calc II, Chem 2, and Physics I (B's there). However, on my engineering coursework I did do worse. I had C's in many of my classes (Fluids/Heat/Mass Transfer, Phase Equilibrium Themrmo, Separations, Numerical Methods, Reaction engineering). It seems I am rather borderline; However, I can say despite the C's I do understand the material well just because of the nature of the school. Does major and school factor into account as well in regards to the application? As far as I understand GT is #2 for chemical engineering in the US, so I'd like to think hopefully that'll give me a cutting edge. Would love to know your thoughts. Thanks for your time and this website - very helpful!
ReplyDeleteIt's borderline, but you might be ok. NR loves GT. Be ready to answer questions about why your performance was less-than-stellar in those classes during the interviews (and potentially some technical questions focused on those areas also). My advice is to take ownership for it. Saying you had XYZ competing priorities is valid to a point, but make sure you're not coming off like the kid who said the dog ate his homework or the teacher didn't like them.
DeleteYou should connect with your recruiter and have them submit a pre-screen. If you have high SATs that will help some, as will any positive trends in your grades (better if you started at a 2.8 GPA and raised it over time than if you started with a 3.3 and its been going down since freshman year...)
Hello,
ReplyDeleteI am currently a sophomore student as a mechanical engineer major with a math minor at a flagship state school with a 3.47 GPA. I got A's in calculus 1-3 but B's in physics 1-2. I scored a 1490 on the SAT (790 Math) and hold officer positions at a few organizations with my school. I was captain of my high school football and lacrosse team but haven't trained physically as hard since then. My question to you is how much weight does the PRT hold in the process for an interview? I recently recorded my counts for the PRT and scored below 200. Will a poor PRT score affect my chances at an interview? Also, would it be worth waiting a few months to train for a better PRT score before actually applying to the program? And who conducts the PRT, is it by the recruiter or at MEPS? Also has the application process changed since covid? Is the process to an interview any slower than usual?
Thanks for all your help!
The PRT will basically only matter once you're accepted into the program. At interviews the only reason physical fitness may be relevant is if you are very obviously physically out of shape --- but they're not going to ask you how many push-ups you can do there or anything like that. If an applicant were obviously obese or something and was applying for a job that had a fitness test required every 6 months it might raise questions but nothing beyond that. Good luck.
DeleteI was also wondering about how the BAH is calculated. Currently I go to school where the cost of residency is relatively low compared to where I have my home address. The difference in BAH pay according to the chart is more than double than the area I go to school in. Should I be in contact with a recruiter near my home address or my school? Or is the BAH based on where I put down as an address for the application? Thanks!
DeleteNormally tied to the school I believe, but id check with your recruiter. There may be some flexibility there, but I am not sure and don't want to lead you astray...
DeleteI recently got accepted into the NUPOC Instructors Program, and will finish school in May 2021. I am currently engaged, and me and my fiancé are starting to look at housing options in Charleston and the surrounding area. Do you have any suggestions of good areas/neighborhoods we should start our search in? We are planning on visiting the city over winter break and potentially getting in contact with a local realtor, but I thought I would check here for suggestions first. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI'd go down for a long weekend and look around between now and graduation... but there are a lot of great places. Depends if you want a house or condo, how much you value the beach vs proximity to work, etc... I lived on Daniel Island and spent a lot of time at the beach on Sullivans Island. Strongly recommend against living in Goose Creek or North Charleston. I'd probably do something in Daniel Island, Mt. Pleasant, Sullivans Island or Isle of Palms, or one of the newer developments southwest of the city. Look around though... its an awesome area. Being downtown could be cool too... but again depends on what you're prioritizing.
DeleteWe've also considered renting, as we don't have any definite plans after my term is finished. Same recommendation on locations for just renting as well?
DeleteBasically yes. If anything I might rent for a year if you're not sure where you want to be, but since you're there at least 5 years I'd be inclined to use my VA loan to buy a place and take advantage of any price appreciation. Interest rates are low and through the VA you can buy with no money down (or almost none, anyways)
DeleteAnd the VA loan is reusable too... so its not like once you shoot the bullet you can't use it again.
DeleteThat makes sense, I'll have to do some more research on the VA loan. Any specific reasons against North Charleston and Goose Creek out of curiosity?
DeleteGoose creek is close to work, but its not really nice and its far from everything you'd want to do except go to work.
DeleteNorth Charleston could be ok, but parts of it are lower income /higher crime, and the rest is lackluster at best. Airport hotels and death by strip malls. It would be fine, but if you're going to live in one of the best cities in the country pick a part thats actually nice....
I recently got accepted into the NUPOC Instructors Program, and will finish school in May 2021. I am currently engaged, and me and my fiancé are starting to look at housing options in Charleston and the surrounding area. Do you have any suggestions of good areas/neighborhoods we should start our search in? We are planning on visiting the city over winter break and potentially getting in contact with a local realtor, but I thought I would check here for suggestions first. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteDecide whether you want to prioritize proximity to work, beach, dining, etc. I lived on Daniel Island and it was great. Lots of great spots in Mt Pleasant too, and for beach I'd recommend Sullivans Island (but Isle of Palms also an option). If you were single I'd suggest considering downtown (much to be said in favor of living near the College of Charleston in that regard), but sounds like that's less appealing in your case. There are some great areas to the S / SW of the city as well that have been developed more recently. I would not live right near base... it's not "bad" in the sense that you're unsafe, but it's not great.
DeleteI am currently pursuing my Physics undergraduate degree, and was offered a position with NUPOC. However, I won't meet the age criteria given that I am 29 and will graduate in about 2 years. Is there any particular reason why candidates need to be within that age range?
ReplyDeleteDon't quote me on this as my memory on this detail is not 100%, but I want to say the max age for Subs/SWON was 29 at commissioning with waivers possible up tob31, so you might still be ok. It's worth asking.
DeleteThe reason is above my paygrade... but I think the entering assumption for those sorts of things are you doing a career in the military, so they're thinking about physical ability 20 or 30 years down the road.
I could be mistaken. It might have been 27 with waivers to 29... like I said just ask. The limit for NRE and Instructors was older.
DeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI'm currently a sophomore attending the Milwaukee School of Engineering pursuing a BS in Biomedical Engineering. My GPA is a 3.64. I got a 30 on the ACT and a 90 something on the ASVAB in high school. A recruiter reached out to me about Naval Officer programs after graduation and suggested I look into NUPOC and I have to say that I'm very interested. I have already taken Calc 1-3, Differential Equations, and will be taking Calc 4 in the spring. I have already passed Physics 1 and 2 as well. My question is would I have to retake the ASVAB? Additionally, I am out of shape but being a sophomore, I have time to start training again before graduation. Would you suggest waiting to start the application process until I feel I could easily pass the PRT? Or would it not be an issue because the application process and acceptance can take a couple months, buying me time?
Sounds like you should get an opportunity to interview based on academic profile. To answer your questions:
DeleteASVAB - you do not need to take it
PRT - no need to be ready to pass it by the time of interview, but you should start doing some prep. Passing standards are pretty modest so it should be very achievable. The only thing I would say before the interview is that you don't want to *visibly* look out of shape. The admiral is not going to check your biceps, but if you're clearly obese he's going to have doubts about your ability to meet physical standards which could influence his decision (and the inputs of other interviewers)
Good luck.
Hello,
ReplyDeleteI am currently in the end phase of my NUPOC application. Waiting for phone interviews and DC interviews to be scheduled. I just had a question regarding a possible delay in graduation for a masters program. My school offers a combined engineering and mba degree to be completed in 5 years instead of a typical 6. Lets just say I were to be accepted into NUPOC and begin receiving pay 30 months prior to original graduation date. If I were to apply and get accepted into my schools dual MBA program, it will add another year to my graduation. What are the chances of me being approved for a waiver to delay my ocs date a year or if it will even be considered? Thanks!
It's a case by case thing. It will be easier to submit it now as part of your degree completion plan than to apply now and then once accepted try to extend for a year.
ReplyDeleteBut if I put it as part of my degree plan, I will not be 30 months out from graduating, it will make me 42 months out, which I believe will disqualify me for even an interview. I was just curious if anyone has ever been delayed ocs by a year though nupoc in your experience. Thanks!
DeleteCorrect. You can try to edit it later, but it probably will not be approved if it materially changes your DCP. It's possible but I doubt it
DeleteDue to COVID, my physics classes are fully online and my calc 2 class was partially in class. Do you think that’d be okay to have those classes online?
ReplyDeleteIt was frowned upon before COVID, but I assume that has gone out the window this year. I would be surprised if that was an issue if the rest of your application is competitive.
DeleteHello, after passing a technical interview, what does the current 'virtual DC' process look like? Assuming it is spread over a few days?
ReplyDeleteThank you!
Interviews are remote at least for the time being. I'm not sure what the timing of them is, but your officer recruiter should be able to share that information with you. Sorry thays not more helpful.
Delete*that's
DeleteNo problem, thank you, I will connect with my recruiter. Any insight on what the 1st time pass rate average % is for the Technical Phone interview?
DeleteHigher if you study! I'd say north of 50%, but beyond that it really depends. The goal of that interview is just to assess whether you are ready to go to DC or if you need more time to prepare. NR doesn't see anything from your phone interview prior to the actual inter iews with them.
DeleteHi, Bryan.
ReplyDeleteI used my score of 5 on the AP Calculus BC test to test out of Calc 1 and 2. While in college, I received an A+ in a class called “Differential Equations for Engineers” which used topics from Calculus I and II. Would I still have to take Calc 1 and 2 to a) apply for the program, or b) once hypothetically accepted? Thank you.
Josh Fox
Miami University
They prefer to see actual grades, but if you took subsequent technical courses and did well this will be fine. No need to take the classes if you validated in that case.
DeleteHello, I am currently a rising senior pursuing a degree in chemical engineering from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. My current GPA is a 3.15 and I had an overall ACT of 28 with a 32 in Math and a 28 in Science. My institution runs on a quarter system. For my major I was required to take three quarters of calculus but was only required to take two quarters of physics. With this being my last year it would be very difficult to fit in a third quarter of physics along with the other required classes for my major. Is this something that I could get a waiver for or would I not have a chance to get accepted without having the full year of physics?
ReplyDeleteThank you for all the helpful information you have posted.
It could happen. Best bet is to apply via a recruiter and explain the situation and ask him to submit to NR for review. If they tell you no based on missing the semester, I'd just find a decent accredited online course and knock it out in a couple months over the summer
DeleteHello, I have been accepted into the program for subs and am curious about promotions. After commissioning, how difficult is it to move up in rank during the 5 year commitment?
ReplyDeleteAlso, thank you so much for keeping this blog active! I have found it remarkably useful during this entire process.
Your first two promotions are basically automatic (unless you do something egregious) two years from commissioning you will become an O2 (Lieutenant Junior Grade) and after a subsequent two years you will become an O3 (Lieutenant). Promotions after that are determined by boards managed by Navy Personnel Command (Based in Millington, TN) and determined heavily by your fitness reports (evaluations). If you perform well, you can move up the chain fairly quickly, but the fastest you will make LCDR is probably ~7years from commissioning.
DeleteHi Brian,
ReplyDeleteI am currently a sophomore majoring in Mechanical Engineering as of Fall 2021 semester and will be eligible to apply for NUPOC Submarine starting next semester. However, based on the list of topics that will be covered during the technical interview at DC for MechE, it seems like some questions will cover topics I won't be learning until the beginning of my junior year (e.g. thermodynamics, heat transfer). Do you suggest I wait until I take those courses or should I still apply anyways in the upcoming semester?
Thank you in advance. The info you've posted to your blog has been immensely helpful.
If you meet the other requirements, go ahead and apply. They will not ask you questions about courses you havent taken yet. Practically speaking, that means you will get more questions in the areas you have completed (physics, calc, etc).
DeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteI'm a Junior at Virginia Tech in Aerospace Engineering with a 3.50 and 1430 SAT (750 Math). I am in NROTC and was wondering is there any commission into a prototype instructor or NRE?
Thank you.
NR has a soft spot for VA Tech in my experience, and none of your stats is a deal-breaker. I'd put in for it and see if they give you an interview. If they have available positions for your fiscal year I think it's feasible that you'd get an interview (but not a sure thing).
DeleteIs there any way to request a different ODS date? I was originally told my start date was August 26. Because of this, I planned my summer and my work accordingly. However, I was told last week that my ODS date got moved to July 24th. I know this is unlikely, but is there a way I can request to attend ODS at a later date? I have several major commitments I made for the end of July due to the initial ODS date they told me.
ReplyDeletePossible. You have to ask your recruiter and they'll coordinate with Navy Recruiting and Navy Personnel Command. If there's flexibility, they will usually try to work with you. But then again if they have a spot that needs filled and you're the only body then the needs of the Navy supercede your prior summer plans.
DeleteUnless the later classes are fully booked, my guess is this could be worked out. The Fiscal Year (which quotas for each role to meet Navy personnel needs are based on) ends Sep 30th, so regardless of which of those dates you had you'd be commissioned in the same FY. Crossing FYs is much more painful and much less likely to be approved