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AFIT offers first-ever nuclear weapons course

  • Published
  • By Joseph Murray
  • AFGSC PA
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  Air Force Global Strike Command recently announced the first graduating class of the Nuclear Weapons Certification Program.

The initial group of graduates included Global Strike Command's Command Chief Master Sgt. Hornback and 14 others.

The Air Force Institute of Technology announced the first Nuclear Weapons Certification Program in November 2011.

The beta class, which included 12 students from Air Force Global Strike Command, has completed the initial curriculum and has provided invaluable training for the nuclear force.

"For us to determine or define Nuclear Experts, we have to first get them the education and professionally develop them so that they understand all the nuances of being a professional in the nuclear enterprise," Hornback said.

"The AFIT Masters certificate program is that education piece from an enlisted perspective; it puts the 'why' in the what we do." Hornback continued, "In the current geopolitical environment, understanding the intricacies of both our nuclear and conventional capabilities will pay big dividends for our command and the Air Force."

The Nuclear Weapons Certification Program is a distance learning program that consists of three, 10-week classes, which students have up to two years to complete. Offered under the Department of Engineering Physics at the Air Force Institute of Technology, the program provides students with a solid understanding of nuclear weapon effects, nuclear weapon proliferation and an extensive understanding of nuclear strategy and policy.

"Understanding our tools and methods is of vital importance to completing our mission in an effective manner," said Richard Mihalik, Deputy Director of Intelligence, Operations, and Nuclear Integration for Nuclear Training. "These classes are also professionally valuable to our men and women with an eye toward advancement in the Air Force's nuclear command."

"The AFIT Graduate Nuclear Certificate Program is important not only to individual professional development, but will help Global Strike Command grow a collective knowledge and understanding of nuclear strategy and policy at various levels," said Maj. Pat Matak, Global Strike Command Officer and Civilian Career Development chief. "The course provides both of these things, while also incorporating a greater understanding of the physics and employment of nuclear weapons."

The courses are taught at a graduate level and count as electives toward Air Command and Staff College, according to class materials. The Air Force Institute of Technology will also apply the course toward degrees in nuclear engineering and operational assessment.

The program is open to students in-residence at AFIT and candidates nominated by Air Education and Training Command in consultation with Air Force Global Strike Command. Students must have a bachelor's degree, cumulative grade point average of 3.0 and complete all of the requirements within two years.

The next session of the program will start Oct.1, 2012. Prospective students must first register with AFIT to be placed on the wait list for the certification program.

For more information or to apply for the program, contact AFGSC Officer and Civilian Development (AFGSC/A1KO) at DSN 781-4016 or by e-mail at: AFGSCA1KOpersonnelworkflow@barksdale.af.mil.