Nuke Power Minimum Academic Standards
Today, changes to the academic requirements for enlistment into the Navy Nuclear Power Program have been implemented in an effort to increase the quality of Nuclear Field applicants. The changes are expected to "increase the chances for Nuclear Field pipeline training and Fleet success, and lower academic attrition in the Nuclear Field training pipeline."
Of the many requirements to enter the Navy's Nuclear Power Program (NF), first you must have passed one full year of high school or college level algebra (if taken prior to high school, it counts) - if you have not completed this requirement, you are ineligible for the NF program.
Some states or educational institutions have courses that are the equivalent of a full year of algebra, but are called something else. According to the Navy Recruiting Manual (COMNAVCRUITCOMINST 1130.8M):
Fair and expeditious processing requires the [Navy Talent Acquisition Group (NTAG) Educational Specialist] to review documentation for the questioned course to determine whether the criteria of one full year of Algebra I or higher-level algebra is met. This also includes foreign math courses. Do not include "Pre-Algebra" type courses. An accredited institution must still issue diplomas and transcripts or an eligibility determination must be obtained for foreign/non-accredited education.
Furthermore, an academic review by a higher authority will be automatically required for any of the following circumstances:
- Greater than five years since the last qualifying math course was completed and passed.
- Received a final, semester or quarter grade of 'D' or below in any high school math class.
- Withdrew from or repeated any portion of any high school math class.
- Received a final or semester GPA of less than 2.0 or 'C' equivalent in the junior or senior year of high school.
- Your Line Scores and NUC composite scores are both <245 (VE+AR+MK+MC<245 and AR+MK+EI+GS<245).
- If you were required to retake the Navy Advanced Program Test (NAPT).
An additional tool to reduce academic failures at Nuclear Power School, Navy Recruiting Command established a new 50 Point System that will be used in determining whether you may or may not require a higher level review of your previous academic performance. The following is to help you develop your "Math Score";
- Assign the values from the following table to each qualifying math course you have completed within the specified time frame. Point values are for FULL YEAR courses. Divide by 2 for semesters, by 3 for trimesters, etc. If partial year and final grades are assigned you can use either to calculate points. Time since is based on date of screening.
- Qualifying math courses are: Algebra (I, II, III), geometry, trigonometry, pre-calculus, calculus, differential equations, linear algebra, advanced algebra, number theory, theoretical math or any higher level math course as determined by personnel at the Talent Acquisition Group (NTAG).
- If you have taken the Navy Advanced Program Test (NAPT), award one point for every point scored above 60. For example, if you scored 69 on the NAPT, add 9 to your table total.
| 50 POINT SYSTEM FOR MATH FINISHED WITHIN THE PAST: | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GRADE/TIME | 5 YRS | 4 YRS | 3 YRS | 2 YRS | 1 YR |
| A | 15 | 20 | 25 | 30 | 40 |
| B | 12.5 | 17.5 | 22.5 | 27.5 | 35 |
| C | 10 | 15 | 20 | 25 | 30 |
| D | 0 | 0 | 2.5 | 5.0 | 10 |
| FAIL | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
If your "Math Score" via the table calculation and NAPT is 50 or higher, and you didn't automatically trigger a determination requirement from the list above, you will not require an academic determination.
Page written and maintained by NCCM Thomas Goering, USN (Retired).
If you are seeking information about joining the Navy, feel free to contact me.
