By using The Balance Careers, you accept our. At least 17 years of age but not have reached 25th birthday by active duty date (waivers on a case basis). Guerra is a former realtor, real-estate salesperson, associate broker and real-estate education instructor. In the Military, these engineers oversee projects that apply nuclear technology to weapons systems as well as nuclear power plants. Career Profile: The Navy's Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Specialists, Machinist’s Mate, Auxiliary (MM-AUX) - Navy Enlisted Rating, What You Need to Know About Enlisted Navy Machinist's Mates Job, All – Charleston, SC – 6 months (Nuclear Power School), All – Ballson Spa, NY, or Charleston, SC – 6 months (Nuclear Power Training Unit). As a student of nuclear engineering, learning will primarily take place via active problem-solving. Markedly inferior performance, including very low passing final grades or an obvious lack of effort in any training phase, may result in disenrollment from the Nuclear Field program. Three Navy job specialties, called “ratings,” are included in the NF community: Machinist’s Mate (MM), Electrician’s Mate (EM), and Electronics Technician (ET). Successful and satisfied engineering majors are often those that have a desire to understand how things work and how they can make them work better. Must have completed one full year of algebra in HS or college. Challenging Program: The training program consists of three stages: 1) four to six months of intensive classroom instruction at Nuclear Field Class "A" school; 2) six months of intensive classroom instruction in mathematics, physics, and basic engineering sciences at Nuclear Power School; and 3) six months of rigorous operational training and qualification on a nuclear reactor prototype plant. Rating Assignment: During recruit training, personnel not already guaranteed Machinist's Mate training will be selected for training in one of the following ratings: Machinist's Mate, Electrician's Mate, or Electronics Technician. Three specific career fields, or ratings, are open to Navy nuclear technicians: machinist's mate, electrician's mate and electronics technician. The Balance Careers uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. In addition, a successful nuclear engineer must understand the mathematical and physical relationships that underlie engineering analysis and design. This decision will be based on the needs of the service, test score profile, and, so far as possible, upon the personal desire of the individual. NF candidates must be U.S. citizens. They then attend Nuclear Power School (NPS) in Charleston, SC, where they learn theory and practical application of nuclear physics and reactor engineering. Navy MMs and EMs work within the service's engineering and hull career fields, while ETs are on the Navy's technical specialties career path. Students learn to identify, troubleshoot, and correct problems in nuclear mechanical, electrical, or reactor control systems at the component level with an emphasis on reactor systems, and apply earlier technical classroom knowledge gained to the practical, safe operation of Naval nuclear power plants. The knowledge and skills of those with a background in nuclear engineering are in demand in naval service and civilian life. Special Pay: Personnel in the Nuclear Field who have completed Nuclear Power Training and been awarded a nuclear NEC receive Special Duty Assignment Pay (SDAP) in accordance with applicable NAVADMIN. Nuclear-trained MMs, EMs, and ETs perform duties in nuclear propulsion plants operating reactor control, propulsion, and power generation systems. Following NPS, candidates begin prototype training in their rating specialty at one of two Nuclear Power Training Units (NPTUs). Officers are given the broadest understanding of the plant subsystems and are taught command skills to effectively lead the watch team in the safe operation of a Naval nuclear power plant. What Are the Requirements to Be a Submariner? Nuclear engineers direct research and development to capitalize on the energy released in nuclear reactions. Tony Guerra served more than 20 years in the U.S. Navy. Personnel selected for nuclear training enter the Navy in pay grade E-3. Serving as a Navy nuclear technician can be both demanding and rewarding, frequently at the same time. The character of NF jobs is mentally stimulating and offers career growth.