Nuclear Power School
Encyclopedia
Nuclear Power School is a technical school operated by the U.S. Navy
in Goose Creek, South Carolina
to train enlisted sailors, officers, KAPL
civilians and Bettis
civilians for shipboard nuclear power plant
operation and maintenance of surface ships
and submarine
s in the U.S. nuclear navy
.
The United States Navy currently operates 102 total nuclear power plants including 70 submarines (each with one reactor), 11 aircraft carriers (USS Enterprise
has 8 reactors and all others have 2 each), and 4 training/research prototype plants.
Prospective enlisted enrollees in the Nuclear Power Program must have a qualifying score on the ASVAB
exam, may need to pass a general science exam, and must undergo a NACLC investigation for attaining a "Confidential" security clearance
.
All officer students have had college-level courses in calculus and calculus-based physics. After an interview with Naval Reactors in Washington, D.C., every officer is approved by the Director, Naval Nuclear Propulsion.
Women were allowed into the Naval Nuclear Field from 1978 until 1980, when the Navy began only allowing men again. With the repeal of the Combat Exclusion Law in the 1994 Defense Authorization Act, and the decision to open combatant ships to women, the Navy once again began accepting women into NNPS for duty aboard nuclear-powered surface combatant ships. Female graduates of NNPS may serve at shore commands, on the USS Enterprise (CVN-65)
, and on Nimitz Class aircraft carriers. Female officers may also serve aboard SSBN and SSGN submarines. The first female officers bound for submarines began training at NNPTC in late August of 2010.
Enlisted personnel graduate from Nuclear Field "A" School for rating as Machinist's Mate
(MM) (3 month "A" School), Electrician's Mate
(EM) (6 month "A" School), or Electronics Technician
(ET) (6 month "A" School) and are advanced to the rank of Third Class Petty Officer. They then commence six months of training at Nuclear Power School. Graduates of the Nuclear Power School continue training with twenty four weeks of instruction at a Nuclear Power Training Unit. This training involves the operation and maintenance of nuclear reactors. Graduates of NPTU are qualified nuclear operators and continue on to serve in the fleet.
Sailors in the nuclear ratings account for 3% of the enlisted Navy.
in Groton, Connecticut
. It was moved in 1962 to (the now former) Naval Training Center Bainbridge, Maryland and later to (the now former) Naval Training Center Orlando, Florida
.
In addition to the school at Bainbridge, there was a second Nuclear Power School at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard
, in Vallejo, California. The Mare Island school operated from January 1959 until 1977 when training was consolidated to Orlando.
Today, the Nuclear Power Training Command (NNPTC) is located on the Naval Weapons Station Charleston in Goose Creek, South Carolina. Construction of the Charleston facility was completed in 1998. Both locations operated simultaneously for a number of months until the last Orlando class graduated.
Unlike the enlisted course, the officer course involves extensive post-calculus mathematical examination of reactor dynamics.http://www.nukewarriors.com/npsprep.zip Officers also cover all topics; enlisted training is specialized for each student's rating
. The officer course also assumes students have undergraduate engineering or science degrees.http://www.navy.com/navy/careers/nuclear-energy/submarine-warfare-nuclear.html
The nuclear program is widely acknowledged as having the most demanding academic program in the U.S. military. The school operates at a fast pace, with stringent academic standards in all subjects. Students typically spend 45 hours per week in the classroom, and study an additional 10 to 35 hours per week outside of lecture hours, six days per week. Because the classified materials are restricted from leaving the training building, students cannot study outside of the classroom.
Students who fail tests and otherwise struggle academically are required to review their performance with instructors. The student may be given remedial homework or other study requirements. Failing scores due to personal negligence, rather than a lack of ability, can result in charges of dereliction of duty under the Uniform Code of Military Justice
. Failing students may be held back to repeat the coursework with a new group of classmates, but failing students are typically released from the Nuclear Power Program and are re-designated or discharged.
The following select colleges offer college credit and degree programs to graduates of the U.S. Naval Nuclear Power School.
Unfortunately, because large parts of the Navy Nuclear Power Training School curriculum are classified, the amount of college credit awarded may not accurately reflect the depth of the coursework.
has evaluated the course of instruction at NNPTC and recommended the following credits be given for completion of the enlisted curriculum:
Additionally, for Machinist's Mates
For Electronics Technicians and Electrician's Mates
Several universities offer graduate level credit for completion of the officer training course.http://engrmgmt.cua.edu/nuclear-officer-prog.cfmhttp://dl.odu.edu/military/mem/ashore/index.shtml
. These moored training ships have their missile compartments removed, but have fully operational S5W reactor
power plants.
Two land-based reactor prototypes are based at the Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory
, Kenneth A. Kesselring Site Operation, in Ballston Spa, New York
. These are the MARF/S7G
and the S8G Trident prototypes. (The S8G core has now been replaced with the S6W reactor
core). At one time, two additional prototypes were operational: D1G
and S3G
.
.
From the early 1950s to the mid-1990s, Naval Reactors Facility
(NRF) in Idaho trained nearly 40,000 Navy personnel in surface and submarine nuclear power plant operations with three nuclear propulsion prototypes — A1W
, S1W
, and S5G
.
Concurrently, from 1959 until 1993, over 14,000 Naval operators were trained at the S1C
prototype at Windsor Locks, Connecticut
.
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
in Goose Creek, South Carolina
Goose Creek, South Carolina
Goose Creek is a city in Berkeley county in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The population was 35,938 at the 2010 census. Most of the Naval Weapons Station Charleston is in Goose Creek. As defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, and used by the U.S...
to train enlisted sailors, officers, KAPL
Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory
Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory is a research and development facility dedicated to the support of the US Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program. KAPL is a government-owned, contractor operated laboratory run by Bechtel Marine Propulsion Corporation for the United States Department of Energy. KAPL is...
civilians and Bettis
Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory
Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory is a U.S. Government-owned, contractor-operated research and development facility located in the Pittsburgh suburb of West Mifflin, Pennsylvania. It solely focuses on the design and development of nuclear power for the U.S. Navy....
civilians for shipboard nuclear power plant
United States Naval reactor
United States Naval reactor refers to nuclear reactors used by the United States Navy aboard certain ships to produce power for propulsion, electric power, catapulting airplanes in aircraft carriers, and a few more minor uses. Such Naval nuclear reactors have a complete power plant associated with...
operation and maintenance of surface ships
Naval ship
A naval ship is a ship used for combat purposes, commonly by a navy. Naval ships are differentiated from civilian ships by construction and purpose...
and submarine
Submarine
A submarine is a watercraft capable of independent operation below the surface of the water. It differs from a submersible, which has more limited underwater capability...
s in the U.S. nuclear navy
Nuclear navy
Nuclear navy, or nuclear powered navy consists of ships powered by relatively small onboard nuclear reactors known as naval reactors. The concept was revolutionary for naval warfare when first proposed, as it meant that these vessels did not need to stop for fuel like their conventional...
.
The United States Navy currently operates 102 total nuclear power plants including 70 submarines (each with one reactor), 11 aircraft carriers (USS Enterprise
USS Enterprise (CVN-65)
USS Enterprise , formerly CVA-65, is the world's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and the eighth US naval vessel to bear the name. Like her predecessor of World War II fame, she is nicknamed the "Big E". At , she is the longest naval vessel in the world...
has 8 reactors and all others have 2 each), and 4 training/research prototype plants.
Overview
Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery
The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery is a multiple choice test, administered by the United States Military Entrance Processing Command, used to determine qualification for enlistment in the United States armed forces...
exam, may need to pass a general science exam, and must undergo a NACLC investigation for attaining a "Confidential" security clearance
Security clearance
A security clearance is a status granted to individuals allowing them access to classified information, i.e., state secrets, or to restricted areas after completion of a thorough background check. The term "security clearance" is also sometimes used in private organizations that have a formal...
.
All officer students have had college-level courses in calculus and calculus-based physics. After an interview with Naval Reactors in Washington, D.C., every officer is approved by the Director, Naval Nuclear Propulsion.
Women were allowed into the Naval Nuclear Field from 1978 until 1980, when the Navy began only allowing men again. With the repeal of the Combat Exclusion Law in the 1994 Defense Authorization Act, and the decision to open combatant ships to women, the Navy once again began accepting women into NNPS for duty aboard nuclear-powered surface combatant ships. Female graduates of NNPS may serve at shore commands, on the USS Enterprise (CVN-65)
USS Enterprise (CVN-65)
USS Enterprise , formerly CVA-65, is the world's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and the eighth US naval vessel to bear the name. Like her predecessor of World War II fame, she is nicknamed the "Big E". At , she is the longest naval vessel in the world...
, and on Nimitz Class aircraft carriers. Female officers may also serve aboard SSBN and SSGN submarines. The first female officers bound for submarines began training at NNPTC in late August of 2010.
Enlisted personnel graduate from Nuclear Field "A" School for rating as Machinist's Mate
Machinist's Mate
Machinist's Mate is a rating in the United States Navy's engineering community.- Description :According to the Bureau of Naval Personnel , the job of an MM is to "operate, maintain, and repair ship propulsion machinery, auxiliary equipment, and outside machinery, such as: steering engine,...
(MM) (3 month "A" School), Electrician's Mate
Electrician's Mate
Electrician's Mate is a United States Navy and United States Coast Guard occupational rating.Electrician's Mates stand watch on generators, switchboards, control equipment and electrical equipment; operate and perform organizational and intermediate maintenance on power and lighting circuits,...
(EM) (6 month "A" School), or Electronics Technician
Electronics Technician
Electronics Technician is a common enlisted occupation in many Militaries. Common duties for ETs include repair, calibration, and basic maintenance of most electronic equipment.-US Navy:...
(ET) (6 month "A" School) and are advanced to the rank of Third Class Petty Officer. They then commence six months of training at Nuclear Power School. Graduates of the Nuclear Power School continue training with twenty four weeks of instruction at a Nuclear Power Training Unit. This training involves the operation and maintenance of nuclear reactors. Graduates of NPTU are qualified nuclear operators and continue on to serve in the fleet.
Sailors in the nuclear ratings account for 3% of the enlisted Navy.
History of locations
Originally, the school was located at the Naval Submarine Base New LondonNaval Submarine Base New London
Naval Submarine Base New London is the United States Navy's primary submarine base, the "Home of the Submarine Force", and "the Submarine Capital of the World".-History:...
in Groton, Connecticut
Groton, Connecticut
Groton is a town located on the Thames River in New London County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 39,907 at the 2000 census....
. It was moved in 1962 to (the now former) Naval Training Center Bainbridge, Maryland and later to (the now former) Naval Training Center Orlando, Florida
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
.
In addition to the school at Bainbridge, there was a second Nuclear Power School at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard
Mare Island Naval Shipyard
The Mare Island Naval Shipyard was the first United States Navy base established on the Pacific Ocean. It is located 25 miles northeast of San Francisco in Vallejo, California. The Napa River goes through the Mare Island Strait and separates the peninsula shipyard from the main portion of the...
, in Vallejo, California. The Mare Island school operated from January 1959 until 1977 when training was consolidated to Orlando.
Today, the Nuclear Power Training Command (NNPTC) is located on the Naval Weapons Station Charleston in Goose Creek, South Carolina. Construction of the Charleston facility was completed in 1998. Both locations operated simultaneously for a number of months until the last Orlando class graduated.
Curriculum
While the rigorous training program differs in terms of content for the officers and enlisted ratings, the following topics are provided to all program attendees:- MathematicsMathematicsMathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
- Nuclear physicsNuclear physicsNuclear physics is the field of physics that studies the building blocks and interactions of atomic nuclei. The most commonly known applications of nuclear physics are nuclear power generation and nuclear weapons technology, but the research has provided application in many fields, including those...
- Electrical power theoryElectric powerElectric power is the rate at which electric energy is transferred by an electric circuit. The SI unit of power is the watt.-Circuits:Electric power, like mechanical power, is represented by the letter P in electrical equations...
and generating equipmentElectricity generationElectricity generation is the process of generating electric energy from other forms of energy.The fundamental principles of electricity generation were discovered during the 1820s and early 1830s by the British scientist Michael Faraday... - Nuclear reactor technology
- ThermodynamicsThermodynamicsThermodynamics is a physical science that studies the effects on material bodies, and on radiation in regions of space, of transfer of heat and of work done on or by the bodies or radiation...
- ChemistryChemistryChemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
- Materials scienceMaterials scienceMaterials science is an interdisciplinary field applying the properties of matter to various areas of science and engineering. This scientific field investigates the relationship between the structure of materials at atomic or molecular scales and their macroscopic properties. It incorporates...
and metallurgyMetallurgyMetallurgy is a domain of materials science that studies the physical and chemical behavior of metallic elements, their intermetallic compounds, and their mixtures, which are called alloys. It is also the technology of metals: the way in which science is applied to their practical use... - Health physicsHealth physicsHealth physics is a field of science concerned with radiation physics and radiation biology with the goal of providing technical information and proper techniques regarding the safe use of ionizing radiation...
- Reactor principlesNuclear reactor physicsNuclear reactor physics is the branch of science that deals with the study and application of chain reaction to induce controlled rate of fission for energy in reactors....
Unlike the enlisted course, the officer course involves extensive post-calculus mathematical examination of reactor dynamics.http://www.nukewarriors.com/npsprep.zip Officers also cover all topics; enlisted training is specialized for each student's rating
Naval rating
A Naval Rating is an enlisted member of a country's Navy, subordinate to Warrant Officers and Officers hence not conferred by commission or warrant...
. The officer course also assumes students have undergraduate engineering or science degrees.http://www.navy.com/navy/careers/nuclear-energy/submarine-warfare-nuclear.html
The nuclear program is widely acknowledged as having the most demanding academic program in the U.S. military. The school operates at a fast pace, with stringent academic standards in all subjects. Students typically spend 45 hours per week in the classroom, and study an additional 10 to 35 hours per week outside of lecture hours, six days per week. Because the classified materials are restricted from leaving the training building, students cannot study outside of the classroom.
Students who fail tests and otherwise struggle academically are required to review their performance with instructors. The student may be given remedial homework or other study requirements. Failing scores due to personal negligence, rather than a lack of ability, can result in charges of dereliction of duty under the Uniform Code of Military Justice
Uniform Code of Military Justice
The Uniform Code of Military Justice , is the foundation of military law in the United States. It is was established by the United States Congress in accordance with the authority given by the United States Constitution in Article I, Section 8, which provides that "The Congress shall have Power . ....
. Failing students may be held back to repeat the coursework with a new group of classmates, but failing students are typically released from the Nuclear Power Program and are re-designated or discharged.
College credit (enlisted training)
The American Council of Education recommends an average of 60-80 semester-hours of college credit, in the lower-division baccalaureate/associate degree category, for completion of the entire curriculum including both Nuclear Field "A" School and Naval Nuclear Power School. The variation in total amount depends on the specific pipeline completed — MM, EM, or ET. Further, under the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges degree program for the Navy (SOCNAV), the residency requirements at these civilian institutions are reduced to only 10-25%, allowing a student to take as little as 9 units of coursework (typically 3 courses) through the degree-granting institution to complete their Associate in Applied Science degree in nuclear engineering technology or as much as 40 units to complete a Bachelor in Nuclear Engineering Technology degree.The following select colleges offer college credit and degree programs to graduates of the U.S. Naval Nuclear Power School.
- Old Dominion UniversityOld Dominion UniversityOld Dominion University is a state university located in Norfolk, Virginia, United States, and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools...
Mechanical Engineering Technology's Nuclear Technology Option is a special program available to graduates of the U.S. Navy Nuclear Power School., - Thomas Edison State CollegeThomas Edison State CollegeThomas Edison State College is a public institution of higher education located in Trenton, New Jersey. One of New Jersey's 12 public universities and colleges, Thomas Edison State College offers degrees at the undergraduate and graduate level....
School of Applied Science and Technology Bachelor of Science in Applied Science and Technology (BSAST) Degree is designed for graduates of the U.S. Navy nuclear power program. , - Excelsior CollegeExcelsior CollegeExcelsior College is a private, non-profit institution of higher education in Albany, New York. It is a constituent member of The University of the State of New York, and has its own charter and Board of Trustees. Excelsior College offers degrees at the undergraduate and graduate level...
School of Business and Technology's Bachelor of Science Nuclear Engineering Technology Degree. The Excelsior College baccalaureate degree program in nuclear engineering technology is also accredited by the Technology Accreditation Commission (TAC) of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) . - Rensselaer Polytechnic InstituteRensselaer Polytechnic InstituteStephen Van Rensselaer established the Rensselaer School on November 5, 1824 with a letter to the Rev. Dr. Samuel Blatchford, in which van Rensselaer asked Blatchford to serve as the first president. Within the letter he set down several orders of business. He appointed Amos Eaton as the school's...
Department of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Nuclear Engineering, in cooperation with the Education for Working Professionals Office and the U.S. Navy, have developed undergraduate degree programs in nuclear engineering for graduates of the U.S. Navy Nuclear Power Training School .
Unfortunately, because large parts of the Navy Nuclear Power Training School curriculum are classified, the amount of college credit awarded may not accurately reflect the depth of the coursework.
College equivalence
The American Council on EducationAmerican Council on Education
The American Council on Education is a United States organization, established in 1918, comprising over 1,800 accredited, degree-granting colleges and universities and higher education-related associations, organizations, and corporations....
has evaluated the course of instruction at NNPTC and recommended the following credits be given for completion of the enlisted curriculum:
- 5 hours in general physics
- 3 hours in heat transfer and fluid flow
- 3 hours in nuclear reactor engineering
- 1 hour in atomic and nuclear physics
- 1 hour in radiation protection technology
- 3 hours in general chemistry and principles of materials
- 4 hours in technical mathematics.
Additionally, for Machinist's Mates
- 3 hours in applied thermodynamics and heat transfer
- 3 hours in power plant systems
- 3 hours in basic electricity
For Electronics Technicians and Electrician's Mates
- 2 hours in hydraulic systems
- 2 hours in DC circuits
- 2 hours in AC circuits
- 2 hours in digital principles
- 2 hours in electric machines
Several universities offer graduate level credit for completion of the officer training course.http://engrmgmt.cua.edu/nuclear-officer-prog.cfmhttp://dl.odu.edu/military/mem/ashore/index.shtml
Nuclear Power Training Unit
Nuclear Power Training Unit (NPTU), one of which is also located at Naval Weapons Station Charleston, has two decommissioned submarines, ex-Daniel Webster (MTS-626) and ex-Sam Rayburn (MTS-635)USS Sam Rayburn (SSBN-635)
|- External links : Includes maps, sketches, a list of ships of the Texas Navy, and a chronology. Also includes photographs of 20th-century U.S. Navy ships named after Texans or Texas locations, including photographs of USS Sam Rayburn ....
. These moored training ships have their missile compartments removed, but have fully operational S5W reactor
S5W reactor
The S5W reactor is a nuclear reactor used by the United States Navy to provide electricity generation and propulsion on warships. The S5W designation stands for:* S = Submarine platform* 5 = Fifth generation core designed by the contractor...
power plants.
Two land-based reactor prototypes are based at the Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory
Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory
Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory is a research and development facility dedicated to the support of the US Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program. KAPL is a government-owned, contractor operated laboratory run by Bechtel Marine Propulsion Corporation for the United States Department of Energy. KAPL is...
, Kenneth A. Kesselring Site Operation, in Ballston Spa, New York
Ballston Spa, New York
Ballston Spa is a village in Saratoga County, New York, United States. The population was 5,556 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Saratoga County. The village is named after Rev. Eliphalet Ball, a Congregationalist clergyman and an early settler. The village lies on the border of two...
. These are the MARF/S7G
S7G reactor
The S7G reactor was a prototype naval reactor designed for the United States Navy to provide electricity generation and propulsion on warships. The S7G designation stands for:* S = Submarine platform* 7 = Seventh reactor designed by the contractor...
and the S8G Trident prototypes. (The S8G core has now been replaced with the S6W reactor
S6W reactor
The S6W reactor is a naval reactor used by the United States Navy to provide electricity generation and propulsion on warships. The S6W designation stands for:* S = Submarine platform* 6 = Sixth generation core designed by the contractor...
core). At one time, two additional prototypes were operational: D1G
D1G reactor
The D1G reactor was a prototype naval reactor designed for the United States Navy to provide electricity generation and propulsion on warships. The D1G designation stands for:* D = Destroyer platform* 1 = First generation core designed by the contractor...
and S3G
S3G reactor
The S3G reactor is a naval reactor used by the United States Navy to provide electricity generation and propulsion on warships. The S3G designation stands for:* S = Submarine platform* 3 = Third generation core designed by the contractor...
.
NPTU History
Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory in New York has the longest operational history of NPTUs. However, two other sites also provided operational training during the Cold WarCold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
.
From the early 1950s to the mid-1990s, Naval Reactors Facility
Naval Reactors Facility
Naval Reactors Facility is located 52 miles northwest of Idaho Falls. The NRF is a United States Department of Energy-Naval Reactors facility where three nuclear propulsion prototypes A1W, S1W and S5G were located...
(NRF) in Idaho trained nearly 40,000 Navy personnel in surface and submarine nuclear power plant operations with three nuclear propulsion prototypes — A1W
A1W reactor
The A1W reactor is a prototype nuclear reactor used by the United States Navy to provide electricity generation and propulsion on warships. The A1W designation stands for:* A = Aircraft carrier platform* 1 = First generation core designed by the contractor...
, S1W
S1W reactor
The S1W reactor was the first prototype naval reactor used by the United States Navy to prove that the technology could be used for electricity generation and propulsion on submarines...
, and S5G
S5G reactor
The S5G reactor was a prototype naval reactor designed for the United States Navy to provide electricity generation and propulsion on submarines...
.
Concurrently, from 1959 until 1993, over 14,000 Naval operators were trained at the S1C
S1C reactor
The S1C reactor was a prototype naval reactor designed for the United States Navy to provide electricity generation and propulsion on warships. The S1C designation stands for:* S = Submarine platform* 1 = First generation core designed by the contractor...
prototype at Windsor Locks, Connecticut
Windsor Locks, Connecticut
Windsor Locks is a town located in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. As of the 2000 census, its population was 12,043. It is the site of Bradley International Airport, which serves the Greater Hartford-Springfield region. It is also the site of the New England Air Museum...
.