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. The Nuclear Field Program Matrix in the Navy Recruiting Manual publishes the requirement as a pair of conditions: one composite — VE + AR + MK + MC (the manual's NUC score) or AR + MK + EI + GS (its EL score) — at 252 or better, with both composites above 235.

last verified 2026-08-04

NUKE (Nuclear Field Program) is in the Navy and requires a minimum AFQT of 50 and one of VE + AR + MK + MC ≥ 252 or AR + MK + EI + GS ≥ 252 — and, whichever one you clear, BOTH composites must be above 235. Last verified 2026-08-04 against COMNAVCRUITCOMINST 1130.8Q (Navy Recruiting Manual — Enlisted, 30 Jan 2025), Exhibit 5-3 Nuclear Field Program Matrix, p. 5-17.

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. Any one listed line-score path can qualify.

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

Meet any one listed line-score path.

AFQT 50 is a percentile. The line scores above are not — they are Navy composites, weighted sums of your ASVAB subtest standard scores. Work yours out from your score sheet with the Navy ASVAB line score calculator.

Source: COMNAVCRUITCOMINST 1130.8Q (Navy Recruiting Manual — Enlisted, 30 Jan 2025), Exhibit 5-3 Nuclear Field Program Matrix, p. 5-17 · last verified 2026-08-04.

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. The Nuclear Field Program Matrix in the Navy Recruiting Manual publishes the requirement as a pair of conditions: one composite — VE + AR + MK + MC (the manual's NUC score) or AR + MK + EI + GS (its EL score) — at 252 or better, with both composites above 235.

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. The Nuclear Field Program Matrix in COMNAVCRUITCOMINST 1130.8Q (the Navy Recruiting Manual of 30 January 2025, Exhibit 5-3) states it as two conditions, not one: VE + AR + MK + MC above 252 OR AR + MK + EI + GS above 252, AND both of those composites above 235. The matrix's own remark glosses the first condition as 'NFa applicants must have one line score ≥252,' which is the 252 figure quoted everywhere. NUKE is a single program that feeds three nuclear-trained ratings — Machinist's Mate (MM), Electrician's Mate (EM), and Electronics Technician (ET).
  • The second condition is the one score lists leave out. Clearing 252 on one composite is not sufficient on its own — the manual also requires the OTHER composite to be above 235. In practice the two composites share AR and MK, so a candidate at 252 on one is usually well past 235 on the other, but a lopsided profile (very strong verbal and mechanical, weak electronics and science, or the reverse) can clear 252 on one route and still miss the 235 floor on the other.
  • The manual names the two composites: VE + AR + MK + MC is the NUC score and AR + MK + EI + GS is the EL score. Paragraph 050102 routes any applicant whose EL and NUC line scores are below 252 to the Navy Advanced Programs Test, which is the mechanism behind the two qualification paths below.
  • There are two qualification routes, and most people searching only know about the first. NFa ('Alpha'): one composite at 252 or above, with both above 235, qualifies you on ASVAB scores alone — no supplementary test. NFb ('Bravo'): if you fall short of 252, you can take the Navy Advanced Programs Test (NAPT) and qualify when a composite plus your NAPT score totals above 290, provided BOTH line scores are above 225. The NAPT minimum is 50 and NAPT scores stay valid for two years. So a 'below 252' ASVAB does not end a nuclear application — and note the NFb floor is 225, not 235: an earlier version of this page said the NFb range started at 235, which is the NFa floor rather than the NFb one.
  • 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.
  • You do not simply ask for the NAPT: the manual (paragraph 070905) administers it to applicants who meet one of three pre-screening criteria — an AFQT of 65 or higher, ranking in the top third of their high school class, or a 'C' average or better in one year of algebra. The Nuclear Field also requires a state-accredited high school diploma, full transcripts before shipping, and one year of high school or college algebra (or higher math) at a 'C' average or better.
  • About the AFQT 50 on this page: the Nuclear Field Program Matrix attaches no AFQT minimum to the program at all. The Navy's non-prior-service enlistment AFQT floor is 31 (paragraph 020702 of the same manual), and the 50 shown here is the program figure published on navy.com's nuclear operations page (verified 2026-06-12). The only 50 in the manual's own text is the minimum NAPT score, and the AFQT 65 above is the NAPT pre-screening bar — three different numbers that score lists routinely mix up. The line-score conditions are the binding gate; a recruiter and the Nuclear Field classifier confirm the AFQT figure on your contract.
  • The score block in the matrix carries its own validity stamp, '(Score's valid until 31 Dec 24),' which had passed before the 30 January 2025 revision was published and which the Navy did not update in this edition. The 252 / 235 / 225 structure above is what the current manual prints; treat the exact numbers as classifier-confirmable rather than permanent, since the Navy adjusts nuclear standards with manning needs.

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

Per the Nuclear Field Program Matrix in COMNAVCRUITCOMINST 1130.8Q (Navy Recruiting Manual, 30 January 2025), you need one composite at 252 or above — either VE+AR+MK+MC or AR+MK+EI+GS — and both of those composites above 235. That is one of the highest enlisted ASVAB requirements in the U.S. military. AFQT 50 is the program figure navy.com publishes; the manual's own enlistment floor is 31 and its nuclear matrix sets no AFQT minimum (verified 2026-08-04).

What line scores does the Navy nuclear program use?

Two composites: VE+AR+MK+MC (the manual calls it the NUC score) and AR+MK+EI+GS (the EL score). You need 252 or better on one of them, and above 235 on both. Both lean on math (AR and MK appear in each), so arithmetic and math-knowledge prep raises a nuclear line score most efficiently.

Do you need 252 on both Navy nuclear composites?

No — 252 is needed on one composite only. But the recruiting manual also requires the other composite to be above 235, which most published nuclear score lists omit. So a lopsided profile that clears 252 on one route and sits below 235 on the other does not qualify on the NFa path.

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

Yes — through the NFb ('Bravo') path. If neither composite reaches 252, you can take the Navy Advanced Programs Test (NAPT) and qualify when a composite plus your NAPT score totals above 290, provided both line scores are above 225. The NAPT minimum is 50 and scores stay valid for two years. Candidates already at 252 with both composites above 235 qualify on ASVAB alone (NFa) and do not need the NAPT.

Who is eligible to take the NAPT for the Navy nuclear program?

The recruiting manual (paragraph 070905) administers the Navy Advanced Programs Test to applicants who meet one of three pre-screening criteria: an AFQT of 65 or higher, ranking in the top third of their high school class, or a 'C' average or better in one year of algebra. NAPT results are valid for two years.

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

A 'good' nuclear ASVAB clears 252 on one composite (VE+AR+MK+MC or AR+MK+EI+GS) outright so the NAPT is not required, keeps the other composite well above 235, and comfortably beats the AFQT figures. 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 — and whichever one you clear, the manual requires the other to be above 235.

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 one of VE + AR + MK + MC ≥ 252 or AR + MK + EI + GS ≥ 252 — and, whichever one you clear, BOTH composites must be above 235, 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: COMNAVCRUITCOMINST 1130.8Q (Navy Recruiting Manual — Enlisted, 30 Jan 2025), Exhibit 5-3 Nuclear Field Program Matrix, p. 5-17, last verified 2026-08-04.

Source: COMNAVCRUITCOMINST 1130.8Q (Navy Recruiting Manual — Enlisted, 30 Jan 2025), Exhibit 5-3 Nuclear Field Program Matrix, p. 5-17 · last verified 2026-08-04 · date retrieved 2026-08-04.

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

Plan the next step

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

Sources