2 answers
Elias
Student
Miami Gardens, Florida
9
Questions
Asked
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How long does it take exactly to complete at a Nuclear Program school in order to take a Nuke job into the Navy?
I plan on taking a job as a Nuclear operator into the navy and will do whatever it takes to get to my goal. #Nuke
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2 answers
David S
US Navy Submarine Veteran / Splunk Consultant
1
Answer
Kokomo, Indiana
Updated
David’s Answer
If you're wanting to specifically be a Navy Nuclear Reactor Operator, you'd have to take the military basic ASVAB exam and score a level that is acceptable for the Nuclear field. Your recruiter will be able to elaborate on the scores required for this field and whether you qualify after you complete the ASVAB examination.
Assuming you qualify, you would want to choose the Nuclear Electronic's Technician job.
There are two paths once you choose this - Surface (Naval Aircraft Carriers) or Subs (Fast Attack Submarines/Boomers).
You will elect for submarines likely before you go to basic training and then again once you're in basic training (boot camp).
Boot camp is in Chicago and is about 6-8 weeks if I remember correctly.
After bootcamp, you'll go to A-school training for Electronics which is 6 months in Charleston, SC.
After A-school training, you'll go to the other side of the same building for nuclear power school training for another 6 months in Charleston, SC.
After Power school training, you'll have to decide to either stay in Charleston or go to Ballston Spa, NY (Saratoga Springs essentially) for a final 6 months of hands-on training they call "Prototype" training where you work on an actual reactor and get qualified to go to a ship from there.
After prototype, you'll go to either the ship or submarine (depending on what you elected) and go through basic warfare qualifications (Surface warfare or Submarine warfare) along with the Nuclear qualifications for various positions to work your way up to being a Reactor Operator.
Hopefully that helps to answer your questions!
Assuming you qualify, you would want to choose the Nuclear Electronic's Technician job.
There are two paths once you choose this - Surface (Naval Aircraft Carriers) or Subs (Fast Attack Submarines/Boomers).
You will elect for submarines likely before you go to basic training and then again once you're in basic training (boot camp).
Boot camp is in Chicago and is about 6-8 weeks if I remember correctly.
After bootcamp, you'll go to A-school training for Electronics which is 6 months in Charleston, SC.
After A-school training, you'll go to the other side of the same building for nuclear power school training for another 6 months in Charleston, SC.
After Power school training, you'll have to decide to either stay in Charleston or go to Ballston Spa, NY (Saratoga Springs essentially) for a final 6 months of hands-on training they call "Prototype" training where you work on an actual reactor and get qualified to go to a ship from there.
After prototype, you'll go to either the ship or submarine (depending on what you elected) and go through basic warfare qualifications (Surface warfare or Submarine warfare) along with the Nuclear qualifications for various positions to work your way up to being a Reactor Operator.
Hopefully that helps to answer your questions!
Matthew Raye
38
Answers
Updated
Matthew’s Answer
Go find yourself a recruiter and tell them what you want to accomplish. It's good to be motivated with a focus, but be open to their feedback and other career opportunities they may recommend.
I recall Navy recruiters coming to my entry-level engineering courses to give their sales pitch. Though I don't remember everything that they said, the impression that I got was that the program would be rigorous, your time serving would involve a lot of travel, but that it could be very rewarding at the end of the day.
But, again, a recruiter is probably your best bet. They're around.
https://www.navy.com/nuclear
https://www.navy.com/local?&activity=1228857&cid=ppc_gg_b_stan_general&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIr8r10-Hq8AIVXyKtBh3nAwMpEAAYASABEgI6efD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
I recall Navy recruiters coming to my entry-level engineering courses to give their sales pitch. Though I don't remember everything that they said, the impression that I got was that the program would be rigorous, your time serving would involve a lot of travel, but that it could be very rewarding at the end of the day.
But, again, a recruiter is probably your best bet. They're around.
https://www.navy.com/nuclear
https://www.navy.com/local?&activity=1228857&cid=ppc_gg_b_stan_general&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIr8r10-Hq8AIVXyKtBh3nAwMpEAAYASABEgI6efD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds