I was a nuclear missile operator for US military – now I’m making my debut on PGA Tour at 34 in very different career

TOM Whitney has gone from nuclear bunkers to the fairways of the PGA Tour.

The US Air Force Academy graduate spent four years serving as a nuclear missile operator in Cheyenne, Wyoming.

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Tom Whitney is playing his first full season on the PGA Tour[/caption]

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The 34-year-old used to work as a nuclear missile operator[/caption]

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Whitney poses for a picture with PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan after securing his tour card[/caption]

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Whitney was a star player on the PGA Tour’s developmental tours[/caption]

And this week, the golf pro began his first full season on the PGA Tour at The American Express in La Quinta, California. 

Whitney has come a long way since having his finger hanging over the button of a nuclear weapon.

Eight times a month, Whitney and a partner would go 100 feet underground into a silo where they would be in charge of overseeing 10 nuclear missiles in 24-hour shifts.

Part of his training was to launch the missiles if given the orders from the US president.

It was a stressful and emotionally-draining job.

“We train for a job that we hope we never have to do,” Whitney told reporters this week. 

“But at the same time, the fact that we have 450 missiles on alert all the time…they’re doing what they’re supposed to do – keep our enemies in check.”

Whitney was given the deployment after playing golf collegiately at the Air Force Academy, where he won four tournaments and set numerous records.

He worked as a nuclear missile operator as part of his commitment to the US military after receiving a full college scholarship.

Whitney described the job as “boring” and “not very sexy.” 

But he says: “Ultimately, our main training part of the mission is we are the ones that launch the missile if the President sends the order.

“And it goes from the President to the [U.S. Strategic Command] to us. So, there’s only one entity in between us and the President if we are launching a nuclear missile.”

After fulfilling his military duties in 2014, Whitney pursued his dream of becoming a professional golfer.

Whitney earned his PGA Tour card last year following an impressive season on the developmental Korn Ferry Tour.

The married father of four finished 21st on last season’s points list, with the top 30 receiving PGA Tour status.

At 34, he is considered old to be a PGA Tour ‘rookie’ but he is relishing every moment of it.

“Golf is just what I am currently doing, and I’m completely blessed to do it,” Whitney said.

“But I could still be in the Air Force, at a place I don’t want to be. 

“I could be in harm’s way. I could be fighting enemies. 

“I’ve lost friends and loved ones in the armed forces. I have friends that are deployed. 

“And I’m here in Palm Springs with two miles per hour wind, 75 degrees, getting paid to play these fantastic golf courses.”