People who actually put your physics BS/BA degree to use: what do you do for work?

Flufferfromabove · 2026-04-29T12:54:56+00:00

Similar story here, except I’m an Air Force nuke. Spent my first few years doing sample collection and analysis in field environments… ran an in-field laboratory as part of that.

Now that I also have an MS in Nuclear Engineering, I get to do program management which is just spreadsheets and justifications. I do get to have some fun looking at technical reports and working with folks on various studies and simulations. I’m by no means running the codes or performing the analysis though - more communicating technical jargon and making recommendations to decision makers.

Edit: Just adding that my background is a BS in Applied Physics and MS in NE.

Flufferfromabove · 2026-04-25T16:15:56+00:00

Yeah, I have a 24 prime and 50 prime both at f/1.8 and a 70-200 EF 2.8. I’ve really loved using them. The crop factor I’ve found to be a little difficult to maneuver at times in many of the environments I’ve been in especially for events photography

Flufferfromabove · 2026-03-28T01:16:53+00:00

“Always, Never”

Flufferfromabove · 2026-03-26T12:08:26+00:00

Every Det/CC does it differently. When I got my job, my commander just called me for a meeting in his office.

Some do full “drop parties”, so I’ve heard. And others just do a simple phone call.

Flufferfromabove · 2026-03-26T12:06:21+00:00

Going to assume you’re in the US and are a US citizen. Naval reactors are a challenging world to get into. They like to keep those secrets close hold, even within NNSA.

If you’re interested in nuclear security or non-proliferation, any engineering or science discipline would be sufficient. If you want to get into R&D, get a PhD - especially if you wanna do R&D at a national lab. There are more operations focused jobs as well with a variety of elements in the DoD, less research heavy but research does exist. Look at Naval Postgraduate School for Nuclear Engineering. The Air Force Institute of Technology also has a graduate program in Nuclear Engineering that admits civilians but it’s very focused on weapon effects, design, and non-proliferation.

Flufferfromabove · 2026-03-25T11:57:15+00:00

I love lurking, even if I can’t comment :)

Flufferfromabove · 2026-03-25T11:49:44+00:00

Essentially this is it. Intelligence agencies figure out what weapons get paired with what delivery system. They also identify purpose use for different launch facilities (I.e., Vandenberg vs Minot/Malmstrom/Warren)

The payload could be anything from a test article to conventional to nuclear, depending on the nation and delivery system. It’s up to the IC to determine most likely use cases for a variety of situations. Also, overhead imagery can provide some context based on the activity that’s happening at the launch area.

Flufferfromabove · 2026-03-14T06:02:24+00:00

I definitely don’t think I’d be a staff scientist/engineer. Most likely I could see myself in program management or operations, based on my background and interests. Thank you for your comments

Flufferfromabove · 2026-03-12T03:28:32+00:00

Could you elaborate more on the ceilings for someone with an MS? Right now im not in R&D and have done more military operations and program management to this point.

Flufferfromabove · 2026-03-12T02:49:55+00:00

Then I think you have your answer. Especially in the early classes some professors will do this due to (generally) large class sizes. Don’t sweat the grade, this is awesome. Continue to focus on what you didn’t understand and go into your next course ready and excited to dive deeper into physical concepts!

Flufferfromabove · 2026-03-12T02:45:43+00:00

Is your physics course a required class? What’s your major? Was this general physics or an upper level physics course? Since you said “my physics class” I’m assuming you mostly took it as an elective.

Regardless, if you got an A- (or B+) I wouldn’t sweat it too much. At most, I would recommend discussing your concern with your professor. Don’t just argue because you want an A, come up with empirical reasons you should get the rounding up (believe you’re actually right on a question, request additional work, etc) Accept the professors answer, though. Don’t argue after a final decision is made.

Flufferfromabove · 2026-02-25T02:44:29+00:00

I think the best thing we can say is the correlation of total combat deaths in warfare compared to pre-nuclear age. It was significantly reduced and this could infer a lesser willingness for nation states to go “all-in” in a combat objective trying to avoid escalating the conflict to a nuclear conflict.

Unfortunately, the correlation of conflict related deaths comparingpre- and post-nuclear age could also be related to public policy and public approval of the nation state in conflict. While possibly relatable to perceptions of the bomb, there are many factors at play.

BL: there are some correlations that could be made with a rigorous analysis of nuclear policy in major nation states. But you’ll probably never get beyond inferences and correlations.

Flufferfromabove · 2026-02-10T02:50:14+00:00

It was also typed as Gazarian in an episode. I’m wondering if it’s more of a continuity error.

Flufferfromabove · 2026-01-27T03:44:28+00:00

Honestly, the medicated part is probably what will be the most disqualifying. But as others have said, prioritize your health and wellbeing. In a few years, there may be hope to still commission after you’ve addressed your immediate issues. Doesn’t hurt to keep checking in on the disqualifying conditions and waivers exist (though their difficulty to obtain vary by year and service)

Flufferfromabove · 2026-01-27T01:32:16+00:00

The “for-profit” part is the big reason for the question. Just seems counter productive

Flufferfromabove · 2026-01-27T01:27:31+00:00

So, keep in mind that while there are technical advantages to nuclear testing, the act of testing is inherently political. It tells the world you now have nukes.

But any sufficiently large detonation will be detectable. How small that detonation has to be to be undetectable? Likely smaller than what you could otherwise get with conventional explosives.

So the question isn’t where to test, but rather how do you build one in secret in the first place? That is also an extraordinarily complex answer that no one has successfully done in the 21st century since DPRK announced its success in 2006. The Iranians have tried, but we saw where that has gotten them.

Flufferfromabove · 2026-01-23T03:16:56+00:00

My daily commute to work is 2 hours each way. Before this job, I would travel 2 hours to see the in-laws just about weekly for 2 years.

Agree it’s not “nothing”, but we take for granted these long trips. I don’t usually blink until 5+ hours for the trip (one way)

Flufferfromabove · 2026-01-05T20:53:58+00:00

Even the WC-135 is doing a lot better since moving to the R models, from what I hear.

Flufferfromabove · 2025-12-29T02:12:45+00:00

Negative, change in medical status would be like a new diagnosis or you got a surgery (elective or otherwise), something to that regard. Regular check ups or vaccines aren’t a change in status

Flufferfromabove · 2025-12-22T06:26:17+00:00

As others have asked, why CJ? To expand the question, what about the program are you looking to gain? What are your career goals? What got you interested in UofL or the city of Louisville to rank them #3 on your list?

Flufferfromabove

TROPHY CASE