navybrandt Posted July 7, 2015 Report Share Posted July 7, 2015 I guess I'll start one of these too. I go through periods of inactivity though, so if I don't answer right away, I'm not ignoring you. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delightful Posted July 7, 2015 Report Share Posted July 7, 2015 Hi! How do you pronounce your username? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
navybrandt Posted July 8, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 8, 2015 The first part is "Navy" I was a Nuclear Engineering Technician in the US Navy for 14 years and that became part of my user name and e-mail address. Even though I'm not in the Navy any more I still build Aircraft Carriers and am testing a propulsion control system for the new Ford-class CVN. By the way, CVN stand for Nuclear Carrier Vessel. The second part is "Brandt" It is my actual given first name. This sounds just like Brant as the 'd' is silent. It's like Rembrandt (without the "Rem" part). It's a bit unusual but my parents were nontraditional. It was either going to be Brandt or Egor. I'm a bit bitter that Brandt never shows up on the "Share a Coke" cans. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiver Posted July 10, 2015 Report Share Posted July 10, 2015 I realise the navy is somewhat different nowadays than it was way back when... but. I've been planning on doing a naval-based fantasy series for a while. Would you mind if I PM'd you and asked for information? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
navybrandt Posted July 10, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 10, 2015 (edited) I'd be glad to discuss my time in the Navy. PM away. I was on the enlisted side of things from junior to senior levels. My point of view will be very slanted though. I was a nuke, and the nuclear Navy is very different than the "topside" Navy. We followed different rules and were treated very differently than a "regular" Navy sailor. For example, we had a very different type of watch rotation and duty day cycle (much more demanding). We worked longer hours and had much more training than anyone else in the Navy (or any other branch of the military too). Our work didn't stop in port either (like it did for some topsiders) as that was the only time we could do most of our maintenance. On a positive note, some of the rules such as physical fitness were overlooked when it came to nukes. We also got a bunch of extra pay allowances and bonuses. This sounds condescending, but we had much higher mental requirements and were, on average, much smarter than other sailors. We knew it too and weren't shy about it and as such many sailors hate nukes. I also have to be very careful what I discuss as everything about my job was classified. Ask whatever you want and I'll let you know what is specific to the nuclear Navy and what I'll have to keep to myself. If your fantasy is based on an Aircraft Carrier engine room "snipe" I can provide some good insight. A good article about why we're called snipes and why the nuclear navy is separate from the topside navy is this: http://navyformoms.com/group/snipemomsenginers/forum/topics/1971797:Topic:255527 You also need to watch the Rickover documentary to get a good understanding of the attitude of all nukes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BE6ybK4Io4 Not sure if the youtube video works as I can't play it at work. It's worth the money if you buy it, which you can do here: http://www.pbs.org/program/rickover-birth-nuclear-power/ Edited July 10, 2015 by navybrandt 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.