Class of 2024 Weapon Intern Program graduates ready to excel
BY KENNY VIGIL
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2024
GRADUATES CELEBRATE — After completing a rigorous yearlong program, the 2024 Weapon Intern Program participants take a few moments to celebrate their success and accomplishments during a graduation ceremony at the Steve Schiff Auditorium on Aug. 22. (Photo by Bret Latter)
Family, friends and colleagues gathered in the Steve Schiff Auditorium on Aug. 22 to celebrate the achievements of 24 men and women from across the nuclear security enterprise who completed Sandia’s Weapon Intern Program.
Sandia’s Don Bruss, a graduate of this year’s class, was selected by his peers to represent the class of 2024. He described the program’s more than 800 hours of rigorous coursework. “All of us put in the hours,” Don said. He noted that nine participants relocated to New Mexico for the program, with some moving their families and others leaving loved ones behind, demonstrating their dedication to national security.
The yearlong program also included visits to approximately 20 sites, such as DOD and DOE facilities along with museums nationwide. These trips provided perspective about the importance of the nuclear deterrence mission. “Our work matters,” Don said, adding that these experiences also fostered camaraderie among participants.
GRADUATION ADDRESS — The class of 2024 chose Sandia’s Don Bruss to speak on their behalf at their graduation ceremony. Don was one of 24 participants who completed the latest Weapon Intern Program class. He talked about the sacrifices participants and their families made and the importance of the nuclear deterrence mission. (Photo by Bret Latter)
Participants were embedded in a nuclear deterrence project within an organization and developed a final presentation for the program’s second phase, where they learned to present technical information effectively.
Don acknowledged the critical role of senior mentors in the program. “They mentored us, coached us and, most importantly, encouraged us to step out of our comfort zones,” he said. “This year’s class is full of bright, passionate and dedicated individuals. Knowledge was transferred and knowledge will be preserved because of the Weapon Intern Program.”
Since its inception in 1998, more than 600 participants have graduated from the Weapon Intern Program, which aims to accelerate knowledge transfer to the next generation of the weapons workforce. The technical training program is geared toward employees in the nuclear security enterprise with a Q clearance and one to 10 years of experience in the nuclear weapons field.
“The Weapon Intern Program offers participants a unique opportunity to gain insights and knowledge that typically takes an entire career to acquire,” said Nevan Shearer, the manager who oversees the program. “Graduates often advance to leadership roles in nuclear deterrence.”
This year’s guest speakers, Sandia’s Chris O’Gorman and Christopher Yeaw from the National Strategic Research Institute, emphasized the graduates’ role in addressing immediate and future nuclear deterrence challenges.
“Your role is critical. The skills, knowledge and networks you’ve obtained in this program will help you excel,” Chris said, also expressing gratitude to the families for their support. “It means a lot to our nation’s security.”
This year’s cohort included representatives from the Air Force, the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, the Kansas City National Security Campus, Los Alamos National Laboratory, NNSA, Pantex, Savannah River Site and Y-12 National Security Complex. The graduates returned to their respective sites and original positions.
The program for the class of 2025 started Sept. 16.
