CNAL speaks at NNPTC Graduation

by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman D.S. Randol

30 June 2021 JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. --

Rear Adm. John F. Meier, Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic, served as the guest speaker for the most recent graduating class (Class 2102) of Naval Nuclear Power School (NNPTC), June 25.

In his speech, Meier communicated the specific trust he places on Sailors in the nuclear field. He emphasized their role in keeping aircraft carriers operating safely at sea and being ready to defend the nation a great responsibility, all born out of a desire to serve.

“I'm thankful for all of you volunteering to do this; raising your right hand and swearing to support and defend the constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic,” said Meier. “And I'm here to tell you, you have chosen not just a path less travelled, but you have chosen a path that is difficult and challenging throughout your entire career.”

The ceremony completes the six-month long program where students learn subjects ranging from nuclear physics, advanced mathematics, thermodynamics, and chemistry. He congratulated the students for their efforts in the program, and called back to his own time in nuclear training, driving home the true magnitude of Class 2102’s achievements.

"From my own personal perspective, I found this to be the most challenging and rewarding accomplishment of my Navy career,” said Meier. “I would offer that to you--I've been in for 35 years--I look back at my time in [NNPTC], and I'm literally more proud of being able to accomplish that and complete it than anything else."

Both officer and enlisted personnel selected for the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program arrive as students at NNPTC for the initial training phase. The school provides fundamental in-rate training and basic reactor plant theory needed to produce safe and trusted naval nuclear propulsion plant watch standers.

Having completed their training at this school, the graduates will proceed in the nuclear training pipeline before becoming fully primed for their ultimate duty station onboard an aircraft carrier or nuclear-powered submarine.

SLIDESHOW | 4 images | 210625-N-RT036-1075 Rear Adm. John F. Meier, Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic, speaks to Naval Nuclear Power Training Command (NNPTC) Nuclear Power School (NPS) Class 2102 during their graduation ceremony, June 25, at NNPTC. Meier was the guest speaker for the ceremony. Following NPS graduation, Sailors will attend prototype training at Nuclear Power Training Unit in Goose Creek, S.C. NNPTC's mission is to train officer and enlisted students in science and engineering fundamental to the design, operation, and maintenance of naval nuclear propulsion plants. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jessica Gomez)

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Rear Adm. John F. Meier, Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic, speaks to Naval Nuclear Power Training Command (NNPTC) Nuclear Power School (NPS) Class 2102 during their graduation ceremony, June 25, at NNPTC. Meier was the guest speaker for the ceremony. Following NPS graduation, Sailors will attend prototype training at Nuclear Power Training Unit in Goose Creek, S.C. NNPTC's mission is to train officer and enlisted students in science and engineering fundamental to the design, operation, and maintenance of naval nuclear propulsion plants. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jessica Gomez)