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AFIT offers first-ever nuclear weapons course

  • Published
  • By Joseph Murray
  • Air Force Global Strike Command Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  The Air Force Institute of Technology announced the development of the first Nuclear Weapons Certification Program in November 2011.

The beta test class, which includes 23 students from Air Force Global Strike Command, is working through the curriculum, while providing feedback to improve the course for successive classes, according to command officials.

"What this course does is produce professionals that can give sound military advice on nuclear matters," said Chief Master Sgt. Brian Hornback, Air Force Global Strike Command command chief, who is currently enrolled in the beta program. "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 consisting 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 the tools that Air Force Global Strike Command uses are 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 at Air Education and Training Command. "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. 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 A10 in consultation with Air Force Global Strike Command. In order to enroll, students must have a bachelor's degree and a cumulative grade point average of 3.0. To successfully complete the program, they must complete all of the AFIT requirements within two years.

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.