This one and a half day course will focus on the nuclear weapons surveillance program; including Why we do surveillance, the interactions with other agencies, the basics of the surveillance program, and NW reliability and the Annual Assessment Process.

Description: The unclassified Weapons Surveillance (WS) Module is designed to familiarize participants with the importance and application of nuclear weapons surveillance.  The online course is broken into 3 sections, each about 4 hours in length.

Each section will cover specific aspects of the surveillance program, including activities that the surveillance program supports, like reliability and annual assessment. 

The course will briefly cover the governing bodies and documents for the NW program before delving into an introduction to surveillance and the agencies involved. Then we will cover all aspects of the surveillance program before wrapping up with a tutorial on Anomaly Investigations. how reliability is calculated and the annual assessment process.  Differences in approaches for surveillance between the physics labs and SNL will be identified and discussed.

This one-day course will focus on essential information designed to familiarize participants with the various processes and approvals necessary to conduct weapon assembly/disassembly and operations at the Nuclear Security Enterprise (NSE) Pantex Plant.

Description: The unclassified Pantex Weapon Authorization (PWA) Module is designed to familiarize participants with Pantex operations and authorizations necessary to conduct nuclear weapon assembly and disassembly to support W88 ALT370 First Production Unit (FPU) and follow-on production to meet US Strategic Navy delivery requirements. The PWA will provide the framework for participants for understanding how they interface, support and ensure the W88 ALT370 is assembled/disassembled safely and is delivered on time to meet NNSA’s commitments to the nuclear weapons stockpile.

The PWA Course will examine why all weapons go through Pantex and why nuclear explosive operations are unique. This module will describe the structure and elements of the Authorization Basis, including the Safety Basis, Independent Reviews, and NNSA Production Office (NPO) Approval leading to FPU. The course will include examples of how engineering and administrative hazard controls are implemented and authorized in tooling and tester design, to minimize risk and meet safety rules. In addition, the PWA Course will cover the nuclear weapon acquisition process with emphasis on Phase 6.5 (FPU), NNSA quality policy, and the Engineering Authorization process leading to Quality Evaluation Release (QER).

This one day course will provide an overview of how these elements relate to NRC, DOT, DOE, and NNSA requirements for designing, testing, and authorizing packages for transport of Materials of National Security Interest (MNSI) that support NNSA’s mission of maintaining and modernizing the nuclear stockpile.

Description: The unclassified Packaging and Transportation Authorization module is designed to familiarize participants with the rules, regulations, and policies that are implemented to ensure safe transport of MNSI.

THIS 1 DAY CLASS IS A HIGH LEVEL INTRODUCTION AND IS INTENDED FOR NEW HIRES WITH LESS THAN 1 YEAR EXPERIENCE IN THE NUCLEAR SECURITY ENTERPRISE.  

The Introduction to the Nuclear Security Enterprise is an overview that provides a high-level glimpse at 'why and how' things work in the Nuclear Security Enterprise for those new to NNSA and/or wanting a refresher.  With the NNSA professional in mind, this course is taught by veteran NSE professionals.  You will learn about their perspectives based on their experiences.  This course will give you a preview of the suite of topical area courses offered throughout the year, depending on your interest and current position.   This one-day course will touch on topics such as the need for Deterrence, NSE Capabilities, Building, Sustaining and Improving the Nuclear Weapon, Managing Nuclear Weapon Programs, and Nuclear Weapon Quality.

This 1.5 day course will provide an awareness and understanding of the Nuclear Weapons acquisition and management processes​ and how to accomplish Weapon Program work across the Nuclear Security Enterprise (NSE)​.  Included are the unique aspects of DOE/NNSA, Management & Operating (M&O) Contractors, and interactions with customers and key stakeholders​.  Also includes an overview of Nuclear Weapon programs to include history, evolution, and challenges from the Federal, M&O, and Site perspectives​.  

Course Goals:

Provide an awareness and understanding of joint Nuclear Weapon acquisition and management processes

 o   Learn how to accomplish Weapons Program work across the Nuclear Security Enterprise (NSE)

Describe unique aspects of the Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA), Management & Operating (M&O) contractor relationship, and interactions with customers and stakeholders

Provide an overview of Nuclear Weapon programs to include history, evolution, and challenges from Federal and M&O site perspectives

Capitalize on the knowledge of senior instructors and their unique experiences in managing and executing Nuclear Weapon programs

At the conclusion of this course students will gain the ability to more effectively manage and execute DOE/NNSA Nuclear Weapon Programs

NTPSS provides an overview of how the various Nuclear Posture reviews have shaped the US deterrent and describes the interface and flow among National Security Policy, the National Defense and National Security Strategies, and joint DoD/NNSA implementation. Also included is a description of related content in the NNSA’s Stockpile Stewardship and Management Plan. NTPSS also provides a description and insight on threats and the resulting Nuclear Security programmatic planning and execution.

Risk & Opporutunity (R&O)

The Risk & Opportunity Module is focused on bringing to light practical application of risk and opportunity-based decision making that a leader will face in the Nuclear Weapon Enterprise (NSE).  It will delve into the history of how risk and opportunity evolved over time, within the NSE, and has shaped the current NSE risk and opportunity tolerance.  By applying current NNSA risk and opportunity tools and techniques, instructors will take you through some NSE events, both past and future, as a way to better equip you to make informed risk-based decisions.     

This two-day course will focus on essential information designed to familiarize participants with the creation and evolution of the NSE, the capabilities and technologies available at each site, and how work gets done across the NSE to meet US National Security requirements.

Description: This unclassified module familiarizes participants with transformation of the nuclear weapons complex from its emergence in the Manhattan Project through the post-Cold War environment, including:

a)    how and why the Manhattan Project assembled the original weapons infrastructure,

b)    changes in approaches in the Management & Operations philosophy and site Federal oversight changes,

c)    the impact that legacy operations have had on current operations,

d)    challenges facing the enterprise today,

e)    an assessment of where the NSE is transitioning in the future, and

f)    the impact all these items has on past, current, and future budgets.

The course will also describe organizational structures at the eight remaining M&O sites with an overview of how each site works with other M&O sites and Federal personnel to achieve national security requirements. This includes items such as the translation of HQ NNSA Production & Planning Directives into Federal Program Manager Program Control Documents that create work content and output as well as budget demands at each site.