Maj. Jill Marie Rahon, a U.S. Army nuclear and countering weapons of mass destruction officer, is incomes her Physician of Philosophy in nuclear science and engineering on the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Know-how.
Job Title:
Nuclear and Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Officer
Hometown:
Hudson Valley, New York
Stationed:
Aberdeen Proving Floor, Maryland
Unit:
twentieth Chemical, Organic, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosives Command
As part of her Ph.D. program, Rahon is conducting analysis into optimizing a detection system to be used in rising nuclear gas cycles.
Her analysis in MIT’s Laboratory for Utilized Nuclear Physics leverages time-correlated neutron radiative seize indicators for non-destructive isotopic evaluation inside nuclear treaty inspection limitations, Rahon, a nuclear and countering WMD officer (FA 52) who’s promotable to lieutenant colonel, stated.
Nuclear Data
Rahon stated the core, superior and subject of research programs within the Nuclear Science and Engineering Graduate Program are rigorous, however many sources can be found to assist college students. She added that the Ph.D. course curriculum is tailor-made to a scholar’s subject of analysis whereas the core programs cowl the breadth of nuclear science.
Established in 1861, the Massachusetts Institute of Know-how ranked quantity two within the current U.S. World and News Report international rankings.
Service Member Help
Rahon stated MIT and the Nuclear Science and Engineering Division are very supportive of army college students.
“For example, my advisor understood that I had a concrete timeline to complete my Ph.D. and he helped me discover a analysis mission that not solely supported FA 52 core competencies but additionally had the sources in place in order that I may design the experiment and begin taking knowledge instantly,” Rahon stated.
“I actually loved the course on supplies science and the way totally different supplies behave in nuclear techniques — one thing I would not have in any other case come throughout in my radiation detection research,” Rahon stated. “The good thing about having a rigorous introduction to the various subsets of nuclear engineering exterior of my analysis experience is the power to offer the perfect nuclear recommendation to maneuver commanders in any scenario.”
In response to Rahon, MIT has a strong veteran and active-duty army presence on campus, together with many engineering and enterprise college college students, employees and school. Rahon stated she has additionally mentored ROTC cadets there.
A Adorned Chief
A former CH-47D Chinook pilot, Rahon deployed to Afghanistan thrice with the one hundred and first Airborne Division, serving as a platoon chief, firm commander and air mission commander.
She earned the Soldier’s Medal, Bronze Star and Air Medal.
A local of the Hudson Valley space of New York and graduate of the U.S. Army Academy at West Level, New York, Rahon switched from aviation to the Nuclear and Countering WMD officer subject (FA 52).
She accomplished her grasp’s diploma at MIT, taught physics at West Level and served on the Protection Menace Discount Company earlier than returning to MIT for her PhD.
“FA 52 has a fascinatingly broad mission set, starting from many varieties of physics, math and engineering to nuclear coverage implementation to advising maneuver commanders however all of it ties again to supporting nuclear deterrence,” Rahon stated. “I am proud to be a soldier and am pleased to have the chance to serve first as a pilot and now as a scientist.”
Multifaceted Mission
Nuclear and Countering WMD officers present the U.S. Army with a extremely skilled and operational succesful group of specialists who contribute to strategic and operational-level coverage, planning and execution.
FA 52 officers are specialists in nuclear weapons design, results and sustainment necessities in addition to nuclear and countering WMD planning, U.S. nuclear insurance policies, arms management treaties and analysis, improvement, coaching and training capabilities.
The extremely skilled Army officers additionally serve within the three Nuclear Disablement Groups which can be a part of the twentieth Chemical, Organic, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosives Command, the U.S. army’s premier all hazards command.
Along with the NDT 1 “Manhattan,” NDT 2 “Iron Maiden” and NDT 3 “Vandals,” the Aberdeen Proving Floor, Maryland-headquartered twentieth CBRNE Command can also be dwelling to 75 % of the active-duty U.S. Army’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Chemical, Organic, Radiological, Nuclear models, in addition to the first Space Medical Laboratory, CBRNE Analytical and Remediation Exercise and 5 weapons of mass destruction coordination groups.
Troopers and U.S. Army civilians from twentieth CBRNE Command deploy from 19 bases in 16 states to confront and defeat the world’s most harmful hazards.
Rahon stated nuclear deterrence is a crucial facet of the Nationwide Protection Technique.
“Deterrence is available in many varieties: not solely a secure, safe and dependable nuclear drive however within the skill to detect and defend towards nuclear threats and function as a floor drive in contested environments,” Rahon stated. “FA 52 officers are charged with understanding the basic physics, know-how and coverage that helps nuclear deterrence whereas combining it with our operational expertise and data of warfighting.”
