To become a nuclear officer, one must earn a technical degree and complete a military nuclear training program. The US Navy is the primary employer for nuclear officers, who supervise nuclear-powered vessels and planes. After military service, former nuclear officers can pursue civilian careers as nuclear engineers or researchers.
To become a nuclear officer, an occupation restricted to branches of the military, a person needs to earn a college degree in a technical field and successfully complete a military nuclear training program to learn the ins and outs of how nuclear propulsion works. Upon graduation, that person can apply for a government department that needs nuclear officers; in the United States, that department is the US Navy. The US Navy puts candidates through rigorous science and math exams before considering top performers as candidates for open nuclear officer positions. While companies that generate nuclear power often label nuclear officer supervisors, the formal term is primarily reserved for people with official officer status in the military.
As a prelude to joining a nuclear training program, which is paid like military training, a person aiming to become a nuclear officer typically earns a bachelor’s or master’s degree in engineering, science, or a technical field. Students enroll in a postgraduate core training program in their freshman or senior year of college. Postgraduate nuclear training programs can be conducted through an officer training corps, a naval academy, or the reserved officer training corps. There are three main training tracks to become a nuclear officer in the US and they are specific to a student’s desired future occupation: the Naval Reactor Engineer track, the Nuclear Trained Marine Officer track, and the Energy Instructor track. nuclear.
A naval reactor engineer training program focuses on nuclear weapons, vessel, storage, and power plant engineering. On the track of naval officers trained in nuclear weapons, a student learns the theories of nuclear energy and how to operate various nuclear equipment. Someone studying to become a nuclear officer working as a nuclear power instructor learns how to teach fellow Navy members the principles of radiological control, nuclear heat transfer, and the physics of nuclear reaction.
Once the goal of becoming a nuclear officer is achieved, the officers’ daily duties include supervising nuclear-powered ships, nuclear-powered planes, nuclear-powered submarines, and other attack ships. Job duties may also include managing sailors, ensuring nuclear devices are safe, and possibly coordinating covert strikes. In addition to working on vessels or aircraft, a nuclear officer might teach at a military nuclear power school, work in a military engineering department that builds nuclear-powered vessels, or be posted on the site of government-owned nuclear reactors.
A career as a nuclear officer is often short-lived due to the stress of constant military deployment. The wide range of high-paying government jobs for former nuclear officers also influences them to leave the military early. After military service, a nuclear officer can typically use his education and experience to begin a civilian career as a nuclear engineer.
Engineers not only design nuclear vessels, but also coordinate the disposal of nuclear waste. Post-military nuclear officers can also find jobs with private companies responsible for building and maintaining nuclear reactors. Universities also hire former nuclear officials for research in the field of nuclear reaction.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
