Kirtland AFB captain receives recognition from national conference

  • Published
  • By Brian Brackens
  • 377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
Kirtland Air Force Base, NM --  Capt. Philip Joseph, Weapons Storage and Security System Project Manager at the 498th Nuclear Systems Wing, recently received special recognition from the Black Engineer of the Year Award Global Competitiveness Conference in Washington, D.C.

The conference honors outstanding individuals who have excelled in engineering.

Captain Joseph was noted for his work with strategic weapons systems, which play a role in supporting U.S. allies overseas.

"My office supports our NATO Allies and Air Force Operations in Europe, by helping to maintain our strategic deterrence overseas," said Captain Joseph.

His military career began when he joined the United States Navy right after high school. After three and a half years, during which time he completed the Navy Nuclear Power School, Captain Joseph entered Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, La., on a Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps scholarship. During his sophomore year, he switched to the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps, graduating with a degree in electrical engineering.

Captain Joseph said that he chose electrical engineering in college because he was good at it.

"My dad's an electrician, so I was raised working with electricity," said Captain Joseph. "He always took me to work with him, so I understood electricity and it seemed the right way to go."

Captain Joseph's plans include making contributions to the nuclear field.

"Ever since I left the Navy, I wanted to get back into the nuclear field," he said. "My long-term goal is to make a significant contribution to nuclear power and space travel. I believe that nuclear power is the future of space propulsion. If we plan on going deep into space, we're going to need a source of power other than conventional means."

Captain Joseph said that he is grateful for the award.

"I think it's a great honor. Such an award is a once-in-a-lifetime achievement and I am extremely humbled by this recognition."