NROTC vs. NUPOC

CAPilotMom2020

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DS was hoping to be a naval aviator, but it seems his vision is going to preclude him from flying for the military. His next choice is to be a Nuke Officer. His first choice of schools is USNA, but realistically that's probably a 50/50 chance at best for him (given the competitors for appointments in our area; he's an amazing kid and I don't mean to put him down in any way). Of the civilian colleges he's interested in, only one has a NROTC program, while the other two suggested on the tour that he apply for NUPOC.

I have a pretty good feel for the differences between the programs while he is in school, but I'd love to hear opinions/advice about which is the better path - either from a time commitment standpoint, or being "favored" for assignments, or whatever else should be considered. If he goes civilian and then applies for NUPOC, what are the chances he'll get in? In the "real" Navy world, are participants in one program deemed more qualified/better officers/??? than the other? Last, but not least - if he goes for NUPOC, does the school he attends have any bearing on his acceptance, for instance: applicants from more prestigious schools get picked up first?

DS is beyond disappointed about his eyesight, and is trying to do everything possible to make sure he gets his second choice.
 
DS was hoping to be a naval aviator, but it seems his vision is going to preclude him from flying for the military. His next choice is to be a Nuke Officer. His first choice of schools is USNA, but realistically that's probably a 50/50 chance at best for him (given the competitors for appointments in our area; he's an amazing kid and I don't mean to put him down in any way). Of the civilian colleges he's interested in, only one has a NROTC program, while the other two suggested on the tour that he apply for NUPOC.

I have a pretty good feel for the differences between the programs while he is in school, but I'd love to hear opinions/advice about which is the better path - either from a time commitment standpoint, or being "favored" for assignments, or whatever else should be considered. If he goes civilian and then applies for NUPOC, what are the chances he'll get in? In the "real" Navy world, are participants in one program deemed more qualified/better officers/??? than the other? Last, but not least - if he goes for NUPOC, does the school he attends have any bearing on his acceptance, for instance: applicants from more prestigious schools get picked up first?

DS is beyond disappointed about his eyesight, and is trying to do everything possible to make sure he gets his second choice.
DS just completed NPS and is starting prototype in New York. He did NROTC. His class is pretty much 50%USNA and 50% NROTC. In my opinion waiting 4 years and then applying, your just not sure how many slots will be available. If he does NROTC and performs well he should get subs. DS said some of the instructors were NUPOC and have never been deployed, so seeing that I would say long term you would be better with NROTC or USNA. We went to graduation from nuc school 10 days ago and 3 of the top 5 students were female, I think 1 from the academy.
 
NUPOC is, as its name implies, a gateway into the Nuclear Navy. While some NUPOC grads will follow a normal career path as submarine or SWO-Nuke officers, many of them will be assigned to Nuclear Reactors as instructors and inspectors. This is important and challenging duty, but it can also be a dead end career path as a commissioned officer. Most reactors officers will have to transition to civilian (GS) positions in the Navy, or go into the private sector, fairly soon after their initial commitment is up. If your DS won't be happy working in a more civilian-oriented environment than the typical naval officer, NROTC is probably a better option for him. Another factor to consider is that he cannot apply for NUPOC until sophomore year, but he can lock up an NROTC scholarship - and a path to a commission - right now. Bottom line is that except for being able to attend a college that doesn't offer NROTC, there isn't much of an advantage to choosing NUPOC over NROTC or USNA.
 
I went back to refresh my recollection about NUPOC. It appears that candidates can pre-select the submarine or swo-nuke communities, which would obviate the issue of being stuck involuntarily in the reactors community. There are some also some advantages to NUPOC that I had overlooked. Candidates are sworn in and paid as active duty sailors while still in school, which also starts the 20-year retirement clock running two or three years earlier than NROTC. Also, NUPOC students don't have any collateral responsibilities, like drill or naval science classes, that NROTC mids have to fit into their schedules.
 
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