Instead of dorm life and frat parties this fall, Daniel Janssen will be heading off to a Navy nuclear engineering program.

After a grueling eight weeks of boot camp, 17-year-old Janssen will begin intensive engineering training in South Carolina.

“I’m excited. It’s a field that’s right on the cusp,” Daniel said. “Obama talks about expanding into nuclear power. I think it will serve me well in the future. I might not make a career out of it but I can certainly get a good education. Our country runs about 20 percent nuclear power; France is at 80 percent. We’ve come to the point where we’re not dumping waste out in a field and it’s time to explore nuclear potential. It’s amazing how powerful it is.”

Only 1 to 2 percent of the Navy’s population get accepted to the nuclear program. Evaluative testing at the South Carolina facility will determine whether Daniel pursues training as a nuclear electrician, electrician technician or machinist mate.

Daniel’s father, Todd, said his son is ready for this next chapter in his life.

“At the end of the training he will have a two-year obligation to be out in the fleet, operating the nuclear propulsion systems on aircraft carriers,” he explained. “It’s a really cool deal because once he goes into the civilian sector, he could work in hydro-electric, in wind energy, solar, any type of energy production. He could end up being a solar power pioneer.”

The Navy is becoming a family vocation. Todd served as a Navy steelworker with the Sea Bees from 1986-93 until he received a medical discharge for injuries. Daniel became interested in the Navy after observing his father’s success in life. Todd currently operates as a mobile mechanic working on heavy equipment.

The proud father is about ready to bust his buttons, for good reason.

Daniel, a star athlete and captain of the Orcas High School boys’ basketball, football and baseball teams, was initially interested in becoming a Navy Seal. He was offered entry to that program, but given the 95 percent dropout rate of Seal training and infamous “Hell Week,” Daniel decided to follow a more likely path to success through nuclear engineering.

“This is stuff I’m really interested in. I think I made a good choice,” says Daniel. “I’ve kind of gotten bored in school, I’ll admit; I’ve kind of gotten lazy. I’m not challenged enough. I think it’ll be really good to have something to focus on. It’s just amazing how much time and effort they’re putting in to this program.”

Daniel’s interpretation of “lazy” includes falling slightly below his normal GPA of 4.0. Throughout high school he has often stayed after school to learn more from his chemistry and physics teachers.

“I was really inquisitive and asked a ton of questions. Math and science are really my love,” Daniel says, noting that Brett McFarland and Greg Books always made themselves available to answer his questions.