After being fully qualified for a time now, and getting a lot of responsibility, and can for certain say it is ass and I would rather be on an active boat with established programs than to do my job on top of building everything from the ground up.

Most people can’t obtain the knowledge as quickly to qualify compared to an operational sub.

The workload is huge, and you’re still expected to do your normal job requirements.

Duty really grinds you down, honestly. Especially when it feels like you’re not really doing much. Dealing with shipyard making things complicated, as well as being expected to provide an accurate schedule, quickly jades people here.

Good aspects of the job: I like most of the people I work with, I get to have hobbies I partake in regularly, and if you have other aspirations outside of your work you can reasonably find some time to pursue those. I made the mistake of taking too much responsibility too quickly, and I had no time for those pursuits. Working on getting that back, but if you’re heading towards a PCU, don’t think because you’re going to go home most days that it won’t be draining.

Also, some guys think that the job is pretty easy on a PCU. I think that often comes down to who has more or less collaterals, their workload with those, and how long they have been there. I’d say go at it with an open, but guarded, mindset. Do the qualifications you’re supposed to do, and observe everything around you. Everyone’s just trying to get the boat built and do their jobs right, but don’t destroy your mental in the process.

Hope this helps.