Nuclear Power School

Nuclear Power School
Unit name	Nuclear Power School
Dates	1955–present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Navy
Type	Training school
Role	Nuclear propulsion training
Command structure	Naval Education and Training Command
Garrison	Naval Support Activity Charleston
Nickname	NPS, "Nuke School"

Nuclear Power School. It is a technical training command operated by the United States Navy to instruct personnel in the science and engineering principles fundamental to the operation of naval nuclear propulsion plants. Established in the 1950s, the school provides the academic foundation for officers and enlisted sailors before they undergo hands-on training at a nuclear prototype unit. Its rigorous program is designed to produce highly skilled operators and supervisors for the Navy's fleet of aircraft carriers and submarines, forming a critical component of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program.

History and establishment

The school was formally established in 1955 under the direction of then-Captain Hyman G. Rickover, the driving force behind the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program. Its creation was a direct response to the launch of the world's first nuclear-powered vessel, the USS Nautilus (SSN-571), which necessitated a dedicated pipeline for training reactor operators. Initially located at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard in California, the school moved to its current primary location at Naval Support Activity Charleston in South Carolina in the 1990s following the closure of the Naval Training Center Bainbridge in Maryland. This consolidation was part of the broader Base Realignment and Closure process and integrated the school with the Nuclear Field "A" School and prototype training.

Curriculum and training program

The curriculum is an intensive graduate-level program covering advanced topics in nuclear physics, reactor dynamics, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and health physics. Students engage in detailed study of reactor plant operational procedures, radiological controls, and chemistry controls specific to pressurized water reactors used by the Navy. The program employs a demanding pace, with classroom instruction often exceeding forty hours per week, supplemented by extensive problem sets and examinations. Successful completion requires a deep conceptual understanding, as graduates must immediately apply this knowledge during subsequent training at operational prototype reactors or Moored Training Ships.

Admission and selection process

Admission for officers is highly selective, typically requiring a bachelor's degree in engineering, mathematics, or the physical sciences from an accredited institution such as the United States Naval Academy or through Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps programs. Candidates undergo a stringent interview process conducted by personnel from Naval Reactors and must receive final approval. Enlisted sailors are selected from recruits who score highly on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery and volunteer for the nuclear field, entering a pipeline that begins with the Nuclear Field "A" School before attending. All students must obtain a Top Secret security clearance due to the sensitive nature of the technology involved.

Facilities and locations

The primary instructional facility is situated at Naval Support Activity Charleston within the Joint Base Charleston complex. This modern campus includes specialized classrooms, laboratories for reactor plant simulator training, and extensive administrative support buildings. Prior to its move to South Carolina, the school operated from several locations, including the original site at Mare Island Naval Shipyard and a long-standing campus at Naval Training Center Bainbridge. The co-location with other nuclear training commands at Charleston creates a centralized hub for the entire pipeline, enhancing efficiency and collaboration among instructors from the Naval Nuclear Power Training Command.

Role in naval nuclear propulsion

The school serves as the essential academic gateway for all personnel entering the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, a joint organization managed by the Department of the Navy and the Department of Energy. Its graduates form the core of the engineering departments aboard the Navy's Nimitz-class and Ford-class carriers, as well as Los Angeles-class, Virginia-class, and Ohio-class submarines. The rigorous training ensures a uniformly high standard of knowledge and safety culture, which has been instrumental in the U.S. Navy's unparalleled record of safe reactor operations, a legacy closely associated with Admiral Hyman G. Rickover.

Notable alumni and instructors

Distinguished graduates include numerous Chief of Naval Operations such as Admiral Frank B. Kelso II and Admiral Vern Clark, as well as astronauts like Captain William F. Readdy of NASA. Several United States Senators and Congressmen, including former Senator John H. Chafee and Representative Joe Sestak, are also alumni. The instructional staff has historically included notable figures in nuclear engineering, and the school's standards were heavily influenced by the exacting philosophy of Admiral Hyman G. Rickover. Many alumni have attained high-ranking positions within Naval Reactors, commanded Submarine Squadrons, or led major Shipyards and research laboratories like the Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory.

Category:United States Navy schools Category:Nuclear technology in the United States Category:1955 establishments in the United States