One of the computers that would receive a nuclear missile launch order from the President still uses big floppy disks

peet · Post by **peet** » Mon Apr 28, 2014 3:04 pm

https://twitter.com/60Minutes/status/46 ... 52/photo/1

takingarms1 · Post by **takingarms1** » Mon Apr 28, 2014 7:41 pm

if it ain't broke...

raumvogel · Post by **raumvogel** » Mon Apr 28, 2014 8:52 pm

They probably also have a more modern BU/primary system.But the guy who owns the equipment for manufacturing floopy disks isn't getting any other business and his family has been selling the Pentagon floppies for,like,forever so no one wants to "make waves" by refusing to continue with this system.

/Another great find by peet!

peet · Post by **peet** » Tue Apr 29, 2014 10:07 am

I can understand the frustration of the staff a bit better now.

If you see the 60 minute video on youtube I had the idea that some equipment belongs in a museum. I can't believe this is a great career in the army. Being put inside a hole in the ground, waiting to push a button, using obsolete equipment and aging bombs.

Who's going to hire you after your career ends in the army?

On a side note: in my little country the USA also stored some nuke bombs in a bunker at Volkel AFB. When it was discovered that those bombs are also (very) old, need to be upgraded, and being flown over my little country, it raised some eyebrows here (PDF in Dutch).

germloucks · Post by **germloucks** » Wed Apr 30, 2014 1:44 am

peet wrote:QUOTE (peet @ Apr 29 2014, 03:07 AM) I can understand the frustration of the staff a bit better now.

If you see the 60 minute video on youtube I had the idea that some equipment belongs in a museum. I can't believe this is a great career in the army. Being put inside a hole in the ground, waiting to push a button, using obsolete equipment and aging bombs.

Who's going to hire you after your career ends in the army?

On a side note: in my little country the USA also stored some nuke bombs in a bunker at Volkel AFB. When it was discovered that those bombs are also (very) old, need to be upgraded, and being flown over my little country, it raised some eyebrows here (PDF in Dutch).

Officers with a top secret clearance have gigantic hiring advantages over average civilians. A top secret clearance costs $$$ to get, and well over 1-2 years to investigate, and no guarantee the person will be cleared. Many government contractors work on top secret weaponry, and practically all of them get picked up by companies like Boeing/Raytheon/Lockheed with 70k+ salaries, in addition they pull a full retirement salary at 38-40 years old. Hard to beat that. Enlisted is much the same, except they don't usually already have a degree (officers had to have one already to be an officer).

So yes, if you can stand it, sitting in a hole in the ground for 20 years (although it definitely wont be that big of a percent of your career) turns *** into $$$

MrChaos · Post by **MrChaos** » Wed Apr 30, 2014 3:17 am

That kind of clearance, very specialized, commands a significant mulitplier on a normal salary and always in demand. Just saying

NightRychune · Post by **NightRychune** » Wed Apr 30, 2014 6:47 am

my older brother tells me about this all the time - companies would rather pay for and spend the time to train someone with top secret clearance than hire a person who is already trained/knowledgeable about x field and try to get them top secret clearance

peet · Post by **peet** » Wed Apr 30, 2014 7:11 am

Thanks for explaining, I did not know this "Top Secret" stamp on your personal file was so valued, even more than working experience with the latest technology.

I had the impression that this Top Secret clearance was a bit diluted the last years since "too many" held that clearance. I also had the idea because now the gov't seems to "compartmentalize" into "above top secret" sub designations.

Anyway, if the tables are correct in that link, salary is indeed very nice. Also it surprised me private contractors pay far more than Gov't, but I assume it's because Gov't jobs are "forever"?

Camaro · Post by **Camaro** » Wed Apr 30, 2014 1:48 pm

Probably the same reason why our shuttles still had 386s running certain parts of the systems. Things are certified and nearly bulletproof. Takes a long time to get new systems up to that certification.

MrChaos · Post by **MrChaos** » Wed Apr 30, 2014 2:38 pm

Clearances are a pretty complicated subject with a number of different types. Direct access to nukes is a big deal thing indeed.

The reason older is used is certifying something for flight and especially space flight costs @#(! tons of money. Every test has to be done (usually) and even nsurance costs are much higher. So if it works it generally won't get replaced. I would assume Rhys why something like that big old floppy drive is still being used.