If you’re super smart, you may have what it takes to qualify for some of the toughest military jobs available. There are specific military jobs that require a high IQ, which will be evident through the extensive testing you must go through to qualify for these jobs.
Not all military jobs are the same and many are not like what we often picture. Some are highly technical, some are very dangerous and many fall in between. Here’s a look at six of the top military jobs requiring a high IQ.
Navy Machinist’s Mate Nuclear
This is the position title for the guy that makes the ship move. The job of a Navy Machinist’s Mate Nuclear is to operate, repair and maintain the steam plant, which provides electric power, potable water, propulsion and service steam for the ship. It’s vital position to the ship and requires incredible attention to detail and a very smart individual.
Air Force Scientific Applications Specialist
If you want to be an Air Force Scientific Applications Specialist, you will need to score an 88 on the ASVAB Mechanical and an 85 on the Electrical or higher. These airmen need to be very intelligent as they will use classified tools and techniques to detect, report, gather and analyze the use of weapons. This may include biological, nuclear, chemical and other types of weapons all over the globe.
Army Satellite Communication Systems Operator-Maintainer
If you score a 117 or higher on the ASVAB electronics line score, you qualify to be an Army Satellite Communication Systems Operator-Maintainer. This is a difficult job requiring a high level of intelligence. These soldiers will operate, maintain and install satellite communications in remote locations all across the world. They keep the lines of communication open, along with identifying electronic jamming and deception.
Navy Electronics Technician Nuclear
When you qualify for this position, you will be responsible for testing, maintaining, repairing and calibrating the reactor instrumentation and control systems for submarines or surface ships. This is another very important job in the Navy and requires a high IQ.
Navy Cryptologic Technician – Networks
A combined score of 235 in subsections Arithmetic Reasoning, General Science, and Mechanical Knowledge is necessary if you want to be a Navy Cryptologic Technician. You can also have a combined 235 score for Verbal, Arithmetic Reasoning, Mechanical Knowledge and Mechanical Comprehension.
As a Navy Cryptologic Technician, you will decipher, translate and college enemy communications. You will be in charge of the computer network defense and computer network forensics. If you decide to go into this field, you will need an additional 30 weeks of training after basic training.
Navy Electrician’s Mate Nuclear
These sailors are responsible for operating and maintaining the switchboards, electrical equipment, generators, and control equipment for the ship. They will direct electricity throughout the ship. A very high IQ is necessary if you want to become a Navy Electrician?s Mate Nuclear.
The Navy Nuclear Field Program
There are three positions on this list requiring you to complete the Navy Nuclear Field Program. These include:
- Navy Electronics Technician Nuclear
- Navy Machinist’s Mate Nuclear
- Navy Electrician’s Mate Nuclear
Before you can qualify for the Navy Nuclear Field Program, you will need to meet one of these ASVAB scores:
- VE+AR+MK+MC > 235 OR AR+MK+EI+GS > 235
- VE+AR+MK+MC > 252 OR AR+MK+EI+GS > 252
If your ASVAB score falls into the first category, you will need to take the NAPT and achieve the following:
- VE+AR+MK+MC+NAPT = 290
- AR+MK+EI+GS+NAPT = 290
If your ASVAB score falls into the second category, you will not be required to take the NAPT.
After you qualify for the Navy Nuclear Field Program, you will be placed in one of three rates:
- Electronics Technical Nuclear
- Machinist’s Mate Nuclear
- Electrician’s Mate Nuclear
Once you complete the training, you will move onto a designated “A” school where you will get specific with your rate. It doesn’t matter which rate you’re given, you will have to attend the Nuclear Power School in Charleston, South Carolina. Here, you will learn the basics of how nuclear power plants work and the equipment involved.
The course is very intense and will cover reactor engineering and nuclear physics in depth. Those completing the program will have an average contract length of six years due to the training taking about two years of time.
Many jobs in the military require a high IQ. These are some at the top of the list and they are all very technical and detail oriented. Even if you don’t qualify for any of these jobs, you could qualify for a high-level job due to a high IQ.
The job classification you will be able to qualify for is based on the scores on your ASVAB test. It’s important to understand this before you go into the military as you want to make sure you qualify for the job you’re after.
