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Seeking Advice – Torn Between NUPOC and SNA

A

aagmanrelan

New Member
Hello everyone,

I recently learned about the NUPOC program, and it has honestly left me rethinking my path. I was previously set on becoming a Navy pilot (SNA), but the NUPOC program is now very appealing to me due to its structure, career stability, and technical focus.

A bit of background: I graduated with a degree in Computer Science in 2023 with a GPA of 3.95. During undergrad, I completed Calculus I, II, and III, University Physics I and II, General Chemistry I and II, and General Biology I. I've already taken the ASTB and scored 66 8/6/7. I’ve also completed MEPS and am currently waiting on a medical waiver for a history of pneumothorax. Additionally, I’m scheduled for LASIK in July to correct my vision, which will necessitate a 6-month post-op wait before I can continue the aviation pipeline.

What’s been weighing on my mind is the uncertainty surrounding the aviation path. Even if I am selected for SNA, there is always a risk of being medically or otherwise disqualified at OCS and being redesignated into a community I may not be interested in.

On the other hand, NUPOC seems more predictable and technically aligned with my academic background. I understand that the interviews and screening are rigorous, but I’m confident I can prepare well.

I would truly appreciate any insights or experiences you could share regarding the following:
  1. Which program typically allows for a quicker transition to active duty—SNA or NUPOC?
  2. If I am selected for SNA but later disqualified at OCS, is it possible to transition or predesignate into the NUPOC program instead?
  3. For those who chose the nuclear officer route, do you have any regrets? What has your experience been like?
Thank you for taking the time to read this. I’m committed to serving and just want to make the most informed decision I can.
 
FormerRecruitingGuru

FormerRecruitingGuru

Making Recruiting Great Again
aagmanrelan said:
Hello everyone,

I recently learned about the NUPOC program, and it has honestly left me rethinking my path. I was previously set on becoming a Navy pilot (SNA), but the NUPOC program is now very appealing to me due to its structure, career stability, and technical focus.

A bit of background: I graduated with a degree in Computer Science in 2023 with a GPA of 3.95. During undergrad, I completed Calculus I, II, and III, University Physics I and II, General Chemistry I and II, and General Biology I. I've already taken the ASTB and scored 66 8/6/7. I’ve also completed MEPS and am currently waiting on a medical waiver for a history of pneumothorax. Additionally, I’m scheduled for LASIK in July to correct my vision, which will necessitate a 6-month post-op wait before I can continue the aviation pipeline.

What’s been weighing on my mind is the uncertainty surrounding the aviation path. Even if I am selected for SNA, there is always a risk of being medically or otherwise disqualified at OCS and being redesignated into a community I may not be interested in.

On the other hand, NUPOC seems more predictable and technically aligned with my academic background. I understand that the interviews and screening are rigorous, but I’m confident I can prepare well.

I would truly appreciate any insights or experiences you could share regarding the following:
  1. Which program typically allows for a quicker transition to active duty—SNA or NUPOC?
  2. If I am selected for SNA but later disqualified at OCS, is it possible to transition or predesignate into the NUPOC program instead?
  3. For those who chose the nuclear officer route, do you have any regrets? What has your experience been like?
Thank you for taking the time to read this. I’m committed to serving and just want to make the most informed decision I can.
Click to expand...

Hi there! First off... strongly recommend using the search function and reading through past threads. “New guy/gal” posts like this are generally discouraged since most of these questions have been answered in detail already.

That said, quick answers to your main questions:

1. Faster to active duty? Usually NUPOC, since you're on active duty (for pay/benefits) once accepted. SNA requires OCS and more medical hurdles. You're not considered "active duty" the SNA route until you report to OCS.

2. Can you switch from SNA to NUPOC if disqualified? No automatic transition. NUPOC has its own application and interview process, especially with Naval Reactors. Start that process now if you're interested. I have heard of flight students being offered to re-designate to Nuke assuming they passed interviews, but that might have been a rare or temporary initiative.

3. Regrets in the nuke path? (Disclaimer: Not a Nuke) That depends on the individual, but many in the NUPOC program appreciate the career stability, technical challenge, and compensation. It's not for everyone... it’s demanding, structured, and often high tempo, especially on submarines or during shore assignments tied to maintenance or training commands. If you're the kind of person who values clarity, structure, and alignment with a STEM background, it could be a solid fit.

In short: You're in a great position with a strong GPA, technical degree, and solid test scores. Just make sure to weigh what type of work/lifestyle you want: do you want to fly, or lead teams in engineering, power, and operations? I would also pursue either SNA or NUPOC understanding that is what you'll be doing during your entire Navy career, no "springboard from SNA to Nuke or vice versa".

Good luck.
 
Swanee

Swanee

Cereal Killer
pilot
None
Contributor
I don't know a single pilot who has said, "I wish I went NUPOC." Nor have a known an SNA select to do everything they could (to include calling their Congressmen, taking the Marine Option, meeting with the Devil at the Crossroads in Mississippi) in order to go NUPOC.

The opposite is not true.

You either want to be an aviatior or you don't.

There are 100 people who will slit your throat for your SNA slot.
 
kyleerlich

kyleerlich

Well-Known Member
I was an enlisted nuke for 12 years before I commissioned through OCS for a pilot slot. I’ve done an instructor tour at the prototype, I’ve been an ORSE PPWS on deployment, and I’ve worked in a project management role for nuclear work on the submarines in a shipyard. Nearly all of the nuke officers I’ve met and worked with are intelligent, hard working, and motivated. Some made the Navy a lifelong career choice, but many that I’ve known were overworked and underpaid for what they could make on the outside, and chose to get out after their minimum service obligations. They go on to work for Meta or Google and don’t work in anything even nuclear-adjacent.

I’m in advanced training now flying the T-45, and I can tell you with absolute certainty that even the most exciting day spent in the propulsion plant spaces—down on the deck plates watching your division rebuild a valve, or standing watch and taking the reactor critical for the first time after a long yard period, or grabbing a fire extinguisher for the inevitable small fire and rushing in to save the day—doesn’t even come close to the adrenaline pumping thrill of flying in naval aviation. Both programs are academically rigorous in their own right. You’ll do a fair bit of studying in either program, and NPS is certainly not for the feint of heart, but there are some days where I’m flying and can’t believe that I’m getting paid to do it.

As someone else mentioned above, people would literally stab you for your SNA slot; no matter how you try to sell it, the same is not true for a NUPOC slot.
 
MIDNJAC

MIDNJAC

is clara ship
pilot
Swanee said:
I don't know a single pilot who has said, "I wish I went NUPOC." Nor have a known an SNA select to do everything they could (to include calling their Congressmen, taking the Marine Option, meeting with the Devil at the Crossroads in Mississippi) in order to go NUPOC.

The opposite is not true.

You either want to be an aviatior or you don't.

There are 100 people who will slit your throat for your SNA slot.
Click to expand...

Yeah, 100% this. It kinda sounds to me like you might be leaning towards NUPOC. Nothing wrong with that. Here is a more simple question........how do you feel when you are unsupervised, have no procedure to fall back on, and need to make a judgement call without all of the information required? Does that sort of scenario excite you, or turn you off? Do you like a predictable work routine, or do you like to never really know what is coming very much in advance, but also know that you need to perform at your best, whatever it may turn out to be? These are telling answers IMO.
 
A

aagmanrelan

New Member
Thank you for all your insights. I guess I am just being impatient, the eye surgery sets me back 6 months and that's what's causing me to look into other areas. I just want to leave my civilian life behind I feel like at this point.
and no I do not want a predictable work routine, the routine is the reason I want to join Navy, if I wanted routine I would just stick to my software developer job.
Thank you everyone, I guess I will just wait it out and hope for the best
 
A

aagmanrelan

New Member
kyleerlich said:
I was an enlisted nuke for 12 years before I commissioned through OCS for a pilot slot. I’ve done an instructor tour at the prototype, I’ve been an ORSE PPWS on deployment, and I’ve worked in a project management role for nuclear work on the submarines in a shipyard. Nearly all of the nuke officers I’ve met and worked with are intelligent, hard working, and motivated. Some made the Navy a lifelong career choice, but many that I’ve known were overworked and underpaid for what they could make on the outside, and chose to get out after their minimum service obligations. They go on to work for Meta or Google and don’t work in anything even nuclear-adjacent.

I’m in advanced training now flying the T-45, and I can tell you with absolute certainty that even the most exciting day spent in the propulsion plant spaces—down on the deck plates watching your division rebuild a valve, or standing watch and taking the reactor critical for the first time after a long yard period, or grabbing a fire extinguisher for the inevitable small fire and rushing in to save the day—doesn’t even come close to the adrenaline pumping thrill of flying in naval aviation. Both programs are academically rigorous in their own right. You’ll do a fair bit of studying in either program, and NPS is certainly not for the feint of heart, but there are some days where I’m flying and can’t believe that I’m getting paid to do it.

As someone else mentioned above, people would literally stab you for your SNA slot; no matter how you try to sell it, the same is not true for a NUPOC slot.
Click to expand...
can you tell me how you did 12 years and still were young enough to join flight school?
 
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