Machinist Mate (Nuclear Power) (MM-Nuclear): Learn and connect on RallyPoint

The Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program’s unique training requirements are met by special-purpose training facilities staffed by highly qualified instructors.  These facilities include the Nuclear Field “A” School and the Nuclear Power School in Charleston, South Carolina; and moored training ships and land-based prototypes which provide hands-on training and ensure that before their first sea tour, all operators have qualified on an operating naval nuclear propulsion plant. Graduates from the nuclear pipeline are qualified in the operation, maintenance and supervision of Naval Nuclear Propulsion Plants.  

Previously, every Navy sailor who was eligible for duty and served in an enlisted rating source for naval nuclear propulsion was trained in the same Navy school alongside the non-nuclear eligible technicians for that rating. These school courses did not focus on the rating duties unique for an operator-technician-maintainer assignment in naval nuclear propulsion. The Navy's Propulsion Engineering Basics, the 600-PSI Steam Plant Watch Indoctrination, and additional preliminary math and fundamental physics courses were provided to students before they entered a formal classroom phase of the nuclear operator training at NNPS. In 1986, Nuclear Field A School was established in Orlando to provide nuclear in-rate training to Sailors prior to attending Nuclear Power School. Nuclear-trained Machinist's Mates MMs are uniquely qualified to perform duties in nuclear propulsion plants operating reactor plant, propulsion plant, water purification, and steam generating systems. Nuclear power is the heat source used to generate steam, then it is used to operate main engine (propulsion turbines), turbo generators, distilling units, and various auxiliary turbines.  In many ways, roles are similar to a non-nuclear Machinist's Mate's job in a Navy engine room that operates the steam plant that provides propulsion, turbo-generator electric power (along with Electrician's Mates), distilling reserve feed and potable water, and supplying auxiliary service steam to the ship. Today, the Machinist's Mates or MMs operate the boilers on a conventionally-powered ship that generate the steam (this job was previously done by Boiler Technicians, but the BT rating merged with Machinist's Mates in 2000).

Nuclear field (NF) operator candidates must be U.S. citizens less than 25 years old at the time of enlistment, a high school diploma graduate with successful completion of one year of Algebra, and able to meet security clearance requirements. Three Navy job specialties, called “ratings”, are included in the NF community: Machinist’s Mate Nuclear Power (MMN), Electrician’s Mate Nuclear Power (EMN), and Electronics Technician Nuclear Power (ETN).  The rating in which a NF candidate is trained is determined at the Recruit Training Center. After recruit training, NF candidates report to the NF “A” School in Charleston, SC for technical training in their specific ratings.  

The Navy is the leader in the development and safe operation of nuclear power plants and provides opportunity to excel in the most comprehensive technical education available. Once qualified, Propulsion Plant Mechanical Operators support reactor plant operation and perform basic preventive maintenance of propulsion plant mechanical systems, support systems, turbines, pumps, and valves.  For example, nuclear-powered aircraft carriers are the most imposing vessels in America’s Navy – they rely on nuclear reactors as well as nuclear technicians, power plant operators and subsystems specialists to keep them running. With special pay and advancement, service opportunity is on par with the civilian industry.

You must be up to the challenge. Students are trained in the shipboard maintenance of nuclear propulsion plants. Much of the work is done is a physically demanding work environment.

The standards for selection for enlistment in the Navy’s Nuclear Field program are high. Those who are considered mature, responsible, and capable of working well under pressure should apply since the character of NF jobs is mentally stimulating and offers career growth. Those applying for NF training must be dedicated to pursuing the challenge this highly technical field offers.