Evolution of Nuclear Power Training

[u/Smooth-Bad-5425]

This post is mainly for the folks that spent at least a 20 yr active duty career in the nuclear power program over a few years ranges:

1980-2000;

1990-2010;

2000-2020; and

2010-present

What I'm curious about is whether over the time period from 1980 to the present, the nuclear power program changed such as difficulty & entrance requirements.

For data purposes, I was an ET from 1986-1992. Back in 1986, ETs went through Basic Electronics & Electricity for around two months or so where we learned all about the subject and went through circuit board troubleshooting. ET "A" school had antenna theory, transistors & tube, and the SPS-10 radar system (not very nuclear related at all). For the newer folks, ET "A" school for nukes back then was 2200-0600 daily. That was rough. Nuke school was probably similar to current academics and prototype was attended at either Idaho, Ballston Spa, or Windsor CT.

If anyone can chime in and give me program info over the years that would be much appreciated.

In summary, I have a feeling that making it through the training pipeline is more difficult now than what it was 40 yrs ago (that is such a depressing idea!).

Thanks!

[u/soljouner]

http://large.stanford.edu/courses/2017/ph241/morris-n2/docs/nps-as-93-031.pdf

By the late 1980's the Navy was becoming concerned about the pool of qualified applicants for the nuclear and other programs. Some of the adjustments were to admit women into the programs and to change the testing standards.

I suspect that when Rickover was still in charge of the program, that many of the changes to the program today would have been unthinkable in his day. Whether that is good or bad I don't know, but it doesn't sound like the experience at sea is any better today.