Nuclear Weaponsman

In 1958, the U.S. Navy created a "nuclear weaponsman" (NW) rate for enlisted personnel. In 1961, it created the "Gunner's Mate Technician" rating for enlisted personnel who previously held the NW rate.

Early nuclear weapons were limited to the gravity bomb configuration. Rocket, missile, 16” gun, depth charge, and torpedo delivery systems were to come eventually, but were thwarted by then-existing warhead sizes and weights. Aircraft carriers were the only afloat units capable of delivery and even they required extensive conversion for proper safety, security, storage, and handling, the “CVBs” (Midway class) being given the lead (Essex class CVA conversions ensued in the 1950s.) By the early 1950s, the U.S. Navy had established itself as a nuclear-capable force, with delivery aircraft in production and ships modified to store, assemble and deploy nuclear weapons. Only the large, cumbersome Mk III and Mk 4 bombs were available for use, and these weapons were by no means ideal for military service due to their short “shelf life” once assembled, the labor and manpower-intensive process of assembly and test, the limited battery life, and of course their weight and size. The main delivery aircraft operating from carriers at this time was the AJ Savage, a huge and cumbersome aircraft for use on a carrier. While awaiting ship conversions, the NSWUs supported the Army and Air Force (they were after all, National Units), wearing Army fatigues with no rank insignia and working out of Palmer huts (prefab 20’ x 120’ units with power and air conditioning) in the field.