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Naval commander says Joint Base Charleston nuclear training supports $11 billion in state economy, plans phased switch to simulation by 2042
Summary
Captain Reid Cupp, commanding officer of Naval Support Activity Charleston, told the Governor's Nuclear Advisory Council that Joint Base Charleston contributes about $11,000,000,000 annually to South Carolina's economy, trains thousands of naval nuclear personnel and plans to phase out 'more‑training‑ships' as simulator capacity is built, with full transition expected by about 2042.
Captain Reid Cupp, commanding officer of Naval Support Activity Charleston and deputy commander of Joint Base Charleston, told the Governor's Nuclear Advisory Council that naval nuclear training operations in the Charleston region generate major economic activity and supply trained personnel for the fleet.
"Joint Base Charleston... has $11,000,000,000 of that economic impact," Cupp said, explaining the base supports a broad defense industrial base and multiple mission partners. He outlined the Naval Nuclear Power Training Command's structure: an academic "schoolhouse," trade schools for enlisted sailors and officers, and hands‑on training at the Nuclear Power Training Unit on the Cooper River and converted "more‑training‑ships." Cupp said the command houses about 3,600 sailors at any time and graduates nearly 3,000 students per year from its programs.
Cupp highlighted plans to expand high‑fidelity simulator training and to construct propulsion plant team trainers that replicate Virginia‑class engine rooms. He said the first full‑simulation cohort is expected in the mid‑2030s and that the Navy anticipates phasing out more‑training‑ships as simulators come online, with a target of towing the remaining training ships for inactivation by about 2042.
Why it matters: Cupp argued that continued Navy nuclear training in South Carolina supports local workforce pipelines, creates opportunities for cross‑sector hiring (civilian labs, manufacturers) and strengthens the regional defense industrial base. He also encouraged council members to consider education and recruiting partnerships with South Carolina universities and technical programs to sustain the pipeline.
Members asked whether simulators would fully replace training ships; Cupp answered yes, describing the simulators as a persistent, high‑fidelity training platform that reduces the need to dedicate operational ships exclusively to training.
Cupp's remarks framed naval training as a long‑term economic and workforce asset for the state while outlining an industry‑driven transition toward simulation.
