1996 - NR: Potential Model for Improved Personnel Management in DOE

This paper whose full title is "Naval Reactors (NR): A Potential Model for Improved Personnel Management in the Department of Energy (DOE)" was written by Steven L. Krahn (NR-HQ 1979-1983) . It was initially published in 1996 as Appendix C to Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (DNFSB) paper DNFSB/TECH-10 titled "AN ASSESSMENT CONCERNING SAFETY AT DEFENSE NUCLEAR FACILITIES - The DOE Technical Personnel Problem". Krahn was the Assistant Technical Director for Operational Safety on the Board Staff at the time.

The paper presents Naval Reactors as a model for improving technical personnel management within the Department of Energy. It argues that nuclear safety requires a strong federal workforce—not just capable contractors.

The paper emphasizes rigorous hiring, deep technical training, practical qualification, continuing evaluation, and long-term career development. It also stresses that government engineers must understand nuclear systems well enough to challenge contractor recommendations, make independent judgments, and provide authoritative technical direction.

Overall, the paper concludes that DOE should build and retain a technically expert workforce with clear responsibility, strong field experience, and demonstrated competence, because effective nuclear oversight depends on knowledgeable federal personnel.

This paper is a contribution to NR-HA by the author of the paper, Steven Krahn.