Missilier

"Missileer" is the unofficial term for an individual who operates and launches missiles in the military. The term mainly refers to United States Air Force officers who have the duty of launching nuclear missiles from missile silos. ICBMs are large missiles that contain a nuclear warhead and can be launched at targets anywhere in the world. A missilier has the job of turning the key at a control panel to launch the missile. Many of these control rooms are located deep underground near silos. There, two missiliers must simultaneously turn a key to launch a missile after orders from the president. They formerly wore blue jumpsuits while on the job, but this was recently changed to green. Only officers may be ICBM missileers, and they are trained in missile operations and rocket physics by the military.

Background

Originally these people were a major part of the Cold War, but they still remain a part of the United States defense system after the Soviet Union fell in December 1991. To be a missilier, one must be willing to be the person who launches a weapon that kills millions of people. Extensive psychological screening is done before allowing any officer to take this job. The position does not require great physical work nor perfect vision, but it does involve long shifts in an underground control room. Both men and women may be missileers.