Nuclear Weapons Specialist

Nuclear Weapons Specialist

     What is a nuclear weapons specialist? A nuclear weapons specialist is responsible for maintaining and operating our countries nuclear weapons as you might of guessed by the title, but their job is much more detailed than cleaning a missile every few months. Their job includes replacing and working on different sections of the missle. For example, every few months the nuclear warhead needs to be exchanged for a new one. Sometimes even whole missiles need  to be taken out of their silos for maintenance. It is the job of these people to perform these tasks with accuracy and caution.

     As it turns out becoming a nuclear weapons specialist is not as hard as you may think. First you must complete basic training. After that recruits will be sent to a technical school at Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas. After the completion of the 62 day course you will be ready to start. Considering you meet the other qualifications. In order to become a Nuclear Weapons Specialist you must score high on the mechanical section of the asvab, have normal color vision and depth perception, have a valid state driver’s license, pass the Personal Reliability Program, have no record of emotional instability, pass a background check, and finally you must be between 17-39 years old.

     A nuclear weapons specialist pay is based on rank. For example an Airman Basic makes $20,170 a year while a Master Sergeant makes $36,240. However you may receive bonuses and perks, such as, health care, dental & vision care, and if you choose free housing or receive a housing allowance, and reduced college.

     The need for Nuclear Weapons Specialist will continue to rise if things continue as they are. Our nuclear weapons are a prime deterrent to other countries by creating mutually assured destruction. Essentially the United States is at a standoff constantly and our best chances of coming out on top are to have the best nuclear weapons that being said we need these weapons to be maintained and thus we need nuclear weapons specialist.

     This relates to STEM because a nuclear weapons specialist works with the latest technology available to stay on top of the world.  Technology is the center of life for a nuclear weapons specialist. With every new piece of technology comes new challenges.

     The hardest part about doing this job is you can not come home and tell your family how your day was at work. Also while working you can’t make mistakes because of the nature of the work. The emotional side may only affect some as others may not care but through talking with my Grandpa most are affected by this.

     My Grandpa has told me a few stories from when he was in including when they were transporting, a truck was ambushed during a drill. Per the procedure his friend the driver threw the keys. However, he did not know it was only a drill until it was too late so he had to spend the rest of the day searching for the keys in tall grass during a cold North Dakota fall.