Nuclear power command opened in Charleston

Sea Power, Dec 1998

The shift of the Navy's nuclear propulsion training program is now almost complete, following the official opening, in Charleston, S.C., of the Naval Nuclear Power Training Command (NNPTC), once a key tenant of the now-closed Naval Training Center in Orlando, Fla.

The NNPTC, which will oversee all training of personnel for the Navy's nuclear-powered submarines and aircraft carriers, was opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at which Adm. Frank L. Bowman, director of the naval nuclear propulsion program, praised the professionalism and safety record of the Navy's nuclear power program over the last 50 years. "This program has compiled a legacy of achievement and of unmatched standards of excellence, literally in every area of endeavor," Bowman said. "These specially selected instructors, staff, and students here today are already part of that legacy."

"This school is the vital link in a chain of extreme importance," said Robert Pirie Jr., assistant secretary of the Navy for installations and environment. "The nuclear power program hasn't experienced any safety accidents in its 50-year history, which is a sign that our crews are using proper procedures to support safety of all equipment."

Also attending the ceremonies were Eleonore Rickover, widow of Adm. Hyman G. Rickover, "father of the nuclear Navy" and program director for its first 34 years; retired Adms. Kinnaird R. McKee and Bruce DeMars, who followed Rickover as directors of the program; and Carl H. Schmitt, deputy director of naval nuclear propulsion.

Charleston was chosen as the home for the NNPTC after an earlier decision-to locate the school in Groton, Conn.-was reversed. The decision to close the complex in Orlando was made by Congress when it concurred with recommendations of the 1993 Base Closure and Realignment Commission.

Construction of the $ 110 million NNPTC campus-which features a state-of-the-art training facility, a student activity center, a dining facility, and six dormitory-style barracksstarted in October 1996.

Capt. William M. Hicks, the first commanding officer of the NNPTC, said the transition from Orlando to Charleston "will be complete ... by January 1999."