Not all military jobs are created equal. Some are dangerous, some are highly technical, and most fall somewhere in between.
Here are the 6 brainiest enlisted military jobs
1. Navy Electronics Technician Nuclear
These sailors test, calibrate, maintain, and repair reactor instrumentation and control systems on surface ships and submarines.
2. Navy Machinist’s Mate Nuclear
These are the guys who make the ship move. Their main job is to operate, maintain, and repair the steam plant that provides propulsion, electric power, potable water, and service steam to the ship.
3. Navy Electrician’s Mate Nuclear
These sailors operate and perform maintenance on generators, switchboards, control equipment and electrical equipment. They direct electricity to all spaces on the ship.
Navy Nuclear Field (NF) Program
To qualify for the three rates (Navy jobs) above, applicants must meet at least one of these ASVAB score combinations. After qualifying, the sailor is placed in one of the three rates: Electronics Technician Nuclear, Machinist’s Mate Nuclear, or Electrician’s Mate Nuclear.
Upon completion, nuclear sailors move onto their designated “A” school where they get specific with their rate. No matter which rate they get, nuclear sailors must attend Nuclear Power School (NPS) in Charleston, South Carolina, where they learn the basics of nuclear power plants and associated equipment. The course is an intense study of nuclear physics and reactor engineering. A nuclear sailor’s average contract length is six years because their training takes about two years. Learn more about the Navy Nuclear Field.
4. Air Force Scientific Applications Specialist
ASVAB Line Score: Air Force line scores of Mechanical 88 & Electrical 85 and above.
These airmen use classified techniques and tools to detect, gather, analyze, and report the use of weapons throughout the world. These include nuclear, chemical, biological, and other weapons. Basically, they’re like the CSI for weapons.
To become a Scientific Applications Specialist, applicants must have a high school diploma or GED with 15 college credits. Their skills are based on mathematics, electronics, physics, data analysis, and careful observation. Learn more about Scientific Applications Specialist.
5. Navy Cryptologic Technician – Networks
To qualify for this rate, applicants must meet at least one of these ASVAB score combinations:
- A combined score of 235 in subsections (AR) Arithmetic Reasoning, (MK) Mechanical Knowledge and (GS) General Science.
- A combined score of 235 in subsections (VE) Verbal, (AR) Arithmetic reasoning, (MK) Mechanical knowledge, and (MC) Mechanical Comprehension.
These sailors collect, decipher and translate enemy communications. They provide computer network defense, access tool development, and computer network forensics.
Sailors who go into this field train for an additional 30 weeks after basic training. Learn more about the CTN rate.
6. Army Satellite Communication Systems Operator-Maintainer
ASVAB Line Score: An Army electronics score of 117 or above.
These soldiers install, operate, and maintain satellite communications for the Army in remote locations around the world. They make sure the lines of communications are always running.
They also identify and report electronic jamming and deception and apply appropriate electronic retaliation on attackers. Learn more about Satellite Communication Systems Operator – Maintainer.