U.S. Navy · Nuclear and Engineering

NUKE Nuclear Field Program

Navy Nuclear Field (NUKE) Sailors operate the Navy's nuclear-powered surface ships and submarines as Machinist's Mates (MM), Electrician's Mates (EM), or Electronics Technicians (ET). One of the most selective enlisted programs in the U.S. military.

last verified 2026-06-12

NUKE (Nuclear Field Program) is in the Navy and requires a minimum AFQT of 50 and VE+AR+MK+MC of at least 252 and AR+MK+EI+GS of at least 252. Last verified 2026-06-12 against navy.com (Nuclear operations).

Quick check

Can I qualify for this job?

Enter the scores you already know. Leave a box blank if you do not have that score yet.

AFQT minimum 50Enter AFQT
VE+AR+MK+MC minimum 252Enter VE+AR+MK+MC
AR+MK+EI+GS minimum 252Enter AR+MK+EI+GS

Plain requirement

What you need.

  • Min AFQT50
  • Training~104 weeks
  • VE+AR+MK+MC line score≥ 252
  • AR+MK+EI+GS line score≥ 252

Source: navy.com (Nuclear operations) · last verified 2026-06-12.

Role brief

About NUKE — Nuclear Field Program.

Navy Nuclear Field (NUKE) Sailors operate the Navy's nuclear-powered surface ships and submarines as Machinist's Mates (MM), Electrician's Mates (EM), or Electronics Technicians (ET). One of the most selective enlisted programs in the U.S. military.

Initial training

How NUKE training works.

FormatBMT + technical training
LocationNaval Nuclear Power Training Command, Joint Base Charleston, SC
Length~104 weeks

After Recruit Training (boot camp), NUKE Sailors run a long three-part pipeline: the Nuclear Field 'A' School for their rating (MM, EM, or ET), then about 24 weeks of Naval Nuclear Power School (NPS) at Joint Base Charleston, SC, then roughly 24 weeks of hands-on prototype training at a Nuclear Power Training Unit (NPTU) in Charleston, SC or Ballston Spa, NY. Including 'A' School the pipeline runs close to two years (~104 weeks) before fleet assignment — among the longest enlisted training paths in the military.

Source: NAVSEA — Naval Nuclear Power Training Command · last verified 2026-06-12 · date retrieved 2026-06-12.

After training

Common NUKE follow-on schools and paths.

  • Submarine duty (Nuclear)Operate reactor and propulsion plants aboard fast-attack or ballistic-missile submarines; adds submarine school and sub pay.
  • Surface nuclear (CVN)Operate the reactor plants on nuclear-powered aircraft carriers.
  • Nuclear Power Training Unit (NPTU) InstructorSenior NUKE Sailors return to Charleston or Ballston Spa to train the next pipeline classes.

Starting pay · 2026

What this job pays as a junior enlisted member.

Base pay is set by pay grade, not by job — every Navy enlistee at the same grade earns the same monthly base pay. These are the 2026 active-duty rates (3.8% raise, effective 2026-01-01).

GradeRankMonthly base payService
E-1Seaman Recruit (SR)$2,407after 4 months of service
E-2Seaman Apprentice (SA)$2,698under 2 years
E-3Seaman (SN)$2,837under 2 years
E-4Petty Officer 3rd Class$3,142under 2 years
  • Plus food allowance (BAS)$460/moFlat enlisted rate, tax-free, paid on top of base pay.
  • Plus housing allowance (BAH)Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is paid on top of base pay and is tax-free, but it varies by duty-station ZIP code, pay grade, and whether you have dependents — there is no single nationwide figure. Use the official DoD BAH calculator for your assignment location.DoD BAH rate lookup →

Source: DFAS 2026 active-duty basic pay tables (3.8% raise, effective Jan 1 2026) · last verified 2026-05-23 · date retrieved 2026-05-23.

Eligibility notes

What NUKE candidates should check.

  • The Navy Nuclear Field (NUKE) program carries one of the highest enlisted ASVAB requirements in the U.S. military: a VE+AR+MK+MC or AR+MK+EI+GS line-score composite of at least 252, on top of a minimum AFQT of 50 (verified 2026-06-12). NUKE is a single program that feeds three nuclear-trained ratings — Machinist's Mate (MM), Electrician's Mate (EM), and Electronics Technician (ET).
  • There are two qualification routes, and most people searching only know about the first. NFa ('Alpha') qualification: if at least one of your composites — VE+AR+MK+MC or AR+MK+EI+GS — is 252 or higher, you qualify on ASVAB scores alone and do NOT need the supplementary test. NFb ('Bravo') qualification: if your composites fall short of 252 but land in the 235–251 range, you can still qualify by taking the Navy Advanced Programs Test (NAPT) and scoring high enough that your line-score composite plus your NAPT score totals at least 290. The NAPT minimum is 50, and NAPT scores stay valid for two years. So a 'below 252' ASVAB does not automatically end a nuclear application.
  • How the 252 composite is built: VE+AR+MK+MC adds four ASVAB standard scores — Verbal Expression (VE = Word Knowledge + Paragraph Comprehension), Arithmetic Reasoning (AR), Mathematics Knowledge (MK), and Mechanical Comprehension (MC). The alternate AR+MK+EI+GS composite swaps in Electronics Information (EI) and General Science (GS). Because both composites lean heavily on math (AR and MK appear in both), strong arithmetic and math-knowledge subtest scores raise a nuclear composite the fastest.
  • The 252 line-score number and the AFQT 50 floor are separate gates. AFQT 50 is the percentile that decides whether your overall scores clear the program's entry bar; the 252 composite is the job-specific qualification. You need both. A recruiter and the Nuclear Field classifier confirm the exact, current cutoffs on your enlistment contract, since the Navy adjusts nuclear standards with manning needs.

What ASVAB score do you need for the Navy Nuclear Field (NUKE) program?

The Navy Nuclear Field requires a line-score composite of at least 252 — either VE+AR+MK+MC or AR+MK+EI+GS — plus a minimum AFQT of 50. That 252 composite is one of the highest enlisted ASVAB requirements in the U.S. military (verified 2026-06-12).

What line scores does the Navy nuclear program use?

Two composites qualify a candidate for the nuclear program: VE+AR+MK+MC of at least 252, or AR+MK+EI+GS of at least 252. You only need to clear one of the two. Both lean on math (AR and MK), so arithmetic and math-knowledge prep raises a nuclear line score most efficiently.

Can you still qualify for Navy nuclear if your ASVAB line scores are below 252?

Yes — through the NFb ('Bravo') path. If your VE+AR+MK+MC or AR+MK+EI+GS composite lands in the 235–251 range instead of 252+, you can take the Navy Advanced Programs Test (NAPT). Score at least 50, and qualify when your line-score composite plus your NAPT score totals 290 or more. NAPT scores are valid for two years. Candidates already at 252+ qualify on ASVAB alone (NFa) and do not need the NAPT.

What is a good ASVAB score for the Navy nuclear program?

A 'good' nuclear ASVAB clears the 252 line-score composite (VE+AR+MK+MC or AR+MK+EI+GS) outright, so the NAPT is not required, and comfortably beats the AFQT 50 floor. Because nuclear is one of the most competitive enlisted programs, the higher above 252 you score, the stronger your standing for school slots and enlistment bonuses.

How is the Navy nuclear field line score calculated?

The primary nuclear composite is VE+AR+MK+MC: Verbal Expression (Word Knowledge + Paragraph Comprehension) plus Arithmetic Reasoning plus Mathematics Knowledge plus Mechanical Comprehension. Add those four ASVAB standard scores; the total must reach 252 to qualify on the NFa path. The alternate composite AR+MK+EI+GS replaces VE and MC with Electronics Information and General Science and uses the same 252 minimum.

How long is Navy nuclear training?

The Navy nuclear pipeline runs close to two years (about 104 weeks). After boot camp it has three parts: Nuclear Field 'A' School for your rating (MM, EM, or ET), about 24 weeks of Nuclear Power School at Joint Base Charleston, SC, then roughly 24 weeks of prototype training at a Nuclear Power Training Unit in Charleston, SC or Ballston Spa, NY.

What are the rating requirements for NUKE Nuclear Field Program?

The Navy Nuclear Field Program rating (NUKE) requires a minimum AFQT of 50 and VE+AR+MK+MC of at least 252 and AR+MK+EI+GS of at least 252, with initial training of about 104 weeks. Those are the ASVAB-based entry requirements; a recruiter confirms the full enlistment picture (medical, background, and current openings). Source: navy.com (Nuclear operations), last verified 2026-06-12.

Source: navy.com (Nuclear operations) · last verified 2026-06-12 · date retrieved 2026-06-12.

Nearby targets

Related Navy score targets.

Related

Practice AFQT plus NUKE line-score subtests.

AFQT + VE+AR+MK+MC / AR+MK+EI+GS practice targets

Compare Navy ASVAB requirements

Independent test-prep — not affiliated with DoD or the ASVAB program. See officialasvab.com for the test program.

Sources