☢️ Nuclear operations
Operating and maintaining the nuclear reactors that power submarines and aircraft carriers — one of the most technical paths in the military.
What they do
The Navy Nuclear Field (NF) operates and maintains the reactors that power submarines and aircraft carriers. After boot camp you attend roughly two years of intensive training — “A” School, Nuclear Power School, and Prototype — in reactor physics, thermodynamics, chemistry, and electronics before joining a ship.
It is one of the most demanding and prestigious enlisted programs, with large enlistment and retention bonuses.
Jobs & codes by branch
Representative jobs in this field and their military occupation codes — not a complete list; each branch has many more and codes change. Use the official job finders below for the full, current list.
Navy
MM (Nuclear) Machinist’s Mate · EM (Nuclear) Electrician’s Mate · ET (Nuclear) Electronics Technician
ASVAB areas that matter
Very high Math Knowledge (MK), Arithmetic Reasoning (AR), Electronics Information (EI), and General Science (GS) — the Navy Nuclear Field has one of the highest score bars in the military. Your AFQT score decides whether you can enlist; individual subtests combine into “line scores” that set which jobs you qualify for. Prepare with our free ASVAB practice tests.
How it transfers to civilian work
Nuclear-trained sailors are in high demand at commercial nuclear power plants (reactor operators and technicians), in the power and energy industry, and in engineering. The training also transfers to advanced electronics and mechanical roles. Credentials: NRC reactor-operator licensing pathway, power-generation certifications, strong college credit toward engineering degrees.
See every job & the exact requirements
Codes, availability, and ASVAB minimums vary by branch and change often — confirm on each branch's official job finder: Army ↗ · Navy ↗ · Air Force ↗ · Marine Corps ↗ · Space Force ↗ · Coast Guard ↗.