Good evening all. I am new to this site and currently I am a navy nuke machinist mate and have been for 4 1/2 years now. Lately I have been really thinking about getting out of the navy and going civilian when my time is up (about 3 1/2 years left) on account that I want to actually be able to raise a family without having to leave all the time. I have read pretty much this entire forum (along with the watts bar plant) in hopes to find information on them. As of right now if I get out I want to move to Tennessee, so thats why I am so interested. Currently I am thinking about going AO, but also not entirely certain what all is out there. Unfortunately I do have a few questions (some of which have been answered all ready but in very vague answers).
1) What kind of jobs are available (nuke related), what do they do, and how does "advancement" work (for lack of a better word)?
2) I understand that it is shiftwork so: How long are the days and what is the cycle like for each shift?
3) How much on average do people get paid, does qualifying EWS or getting a degree help get more?
4) What are the benefits like, including say medical, dental, and retirement?
5) Since I have a little bit of time left: When should I officially apply for a job and take my POSS test (I would like to know that I have a job as soon as I get out)
Thank you everybody and sorry its such a lengthy first post