Remember this stuff from physics? Yeah, we don't either... (Source)

The idea of trucking nuclear bombs across the country may be frightening to some, but to others, it's a calling. Don't let the baby blue tractor and shiny white license plate fool you—this is a dangerous job. Nuclear weapons couriers are the tough cookies who transport nuclear weapons, weapon components, and other nuclear materials to wherever they need to go—places like labs, nuclear plants, and military bases. 

Couriers are also federal agents who are specially trained to use firearms—they have to be prepared to defend their cargo from attempted thefts and takeovers. So, no, a courier is not just a glorified truck driver.

The average starting salary of a nuclear materials courier is about $34,000—and, unlike with other federal jobs, a courier has the opportunity for a pay raise each year after a performance evaluation. At one of the highest pay scales, a courier can make up to $60,000.

Still not impressed? In addition to a base salary, couriers make a lot of overtime. Like, a lot. Couriers get paid to travel and transport nuclear materials, which means that their work time usually extends way over a typical eight-hour work day. You're pretty much getting paid to drive and listen to Top 40 hits on the radio...all day and all night. The job is repetitive and tiring, but those overtime hours are pretty sweet.

 

Couriers go through not-so-basic training. (Source)

You don't even have to go to college to become a courier. You just need some really good prior work experience. A lot of couriers are ex-military, because the job pretty much demands that you have some previous armed tactical experience. Why, you might ask? Well, along with driving nukes around, couriers are trained to protect their cargo. When we say trained, we mean that hired couriers go through eighteen weeks at a training academy. 

They go through extensive firearm, commercial vehicle (like big ole' trucks), and classroom instruction. It's just like basic training...except without the expectation of going to war.

Couriers pretty much live their lives out on the open roads. A typical work month is spent transporting nuclear materials around for at least three weeks. No bosses or annoying co-workers; just you, the open road, and a cargo full of nuclear weapons. This job is perfect for the free-spirited—and the fearless.

While on "missions," as they're called, couriers are equipped with some pretty cool hardware. In addition to the big honkin' nuclear missiles that you might be carrying in the back of your truck, you'll be armed and ready to defend your cargo—and you won't be alone. The trucks that carry the nuclear material are designed to defend themselves (source), thanks to nifty features like armored outsides and the ability to lock the truck down so it can't be opened or moved. 

That's about all the details that the folks over at the Office of Secure Transport are offering at the moment—the trucks' full capabilities are for them to know and for any potential terrorists to find out—but rest assured that there's some real Mad Max stuff going on here.

Obviously, being a courier isn't as simple as driving a truck. The job itself is pretty difficult, and requires a whole lot of training. Couriers need to be constantly vigilant, and aware that they may or may not have to do some butt-kicking at some point. Just know if you do your job well, and get the nuclear materials to where they need to go, you'll make some great money and have the opportunity to do some sight-seeing around America.

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