From U.S. Navy submarine nuclear reactor operator to UofL electrical engineering student

Jacob Jones is a Louisville native and senior electrical engineering major at UofL’s Speed School. From 2010 to 2015, he served in the U.S. Navy as a Submarine Nuclear Reactor Operator.

Jones attended boot camp in Great Lakes, Illinois. He then transferred to the Naval Nuclear Power Training Command in Goose Creek, South Carolina, where he completed his A-School and Power School, and earned his rating as a nuclear electronics technician, along with his certification to operate nuclear reactors from the Department of Energy.

After completing his training, he was assigned to the USS Louisiana Gold Crew, joining the ship in Hawaii. The USS Louisiana is the 18th and last ship of the U.S. Navy's Ohio class of nuclear-powered fleet ballistic missile submarines.

Jones said his favorite Navy memories are “relaxing with his crewmates while in port.” He said when in port they would “party and try to destress from their time at sea.”

As a Louisville native, Jones said he chose UofL because it was close to home and would allow him to spend more time with his 9-year-old son. 

“I am glad I chose UofL. It has made me feel welcome and valued,” he said. 

As an older student, he was not sure how going back to school would work. He said it has been great and that he has made lots of friends. Jacob said spending times with his classmates gives given him “high hopes,” for the future as this generation of students moves into the workforce.

He plans plan to complete his B.S. in Electrical Engineering and then  obtain a master's degree to pursue a career as a machine learning engineer. He intends to use the machine learning skills he is gaining at UofL to help other disabled individuals lead more relaxed and full lives.

Jones called out two professors, Raymond Chastain, an associate professor in the Information Systems, Analytics and Operations Department of the College of Business, and Shamus McNamara, an associate professor in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department. He said they were both extremely helpful during his first semester as he “adjusted to the environment and the workload” of the program.

UofL celebrates Jones' service in the U.S. Navy and is proud to recognize the 247th birthday of the U.S. Navy on October 13.