Academy falls short of sub volunteers

[unhappycamper]

Lt. Matt Campell explains the operation of the periscope to a group of midshipmen embarked aboard the fast-attack submarine Newport News in this file photo from 2008. The Naval Academy fell short of its goal of 125 seniors volunteering for duty aboard a nuclear submarine.


Academy falls short of sub volunteers
By Philip Ewing - Staff writer
Posted : Saturday Oct 24, 2009 9:47:42 EDT

Too few Naval Academy seniors opted to become nuclear-qualified submarine officers this fall, so the school’s administration has asked more students to make that their career path and, if necessary, will force them.

In a message to the Brigade of Midshipmen on Tuesday, the academy’s director of professional development, Capt. Stephen Evans, wrote that the academy this year was required to send 125 officers into the nuclear submarine training pipeline, but that only 92 had been accepted by Naval Reactors. That meant 33 midshipmen would be asked to volunteer or told to become sub nukes.

“If you are subsequently identified for a submarine interview, understand that you were released from your preferred community after serious consideration,” Evans wrote. “Be professional and focus on the positive aspects of serving your country in the submarine force.”

Naval Academy spokesman Cmdr. Joe Carpenter said it wasn’t uncommon for academy officials to move midshipmen from preferred warfare areas to areas where they were needed, although he said there weren’t records showing when or for which disciplines. The academy’s mission to provide the officers the Navy requires means the school must sometimes supercede mids’ wishes, he said.

Evans wrote to the midshipmen: “Although your personal desires are strongly and tirelessly considered, community assignments are ultimately grounded in Navy and Marine Corps requirements.”


Rest of article at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2009/10/navy_nukes_SAT_102409w/

[Submariner]

1. During the Cold War submarines played chicken-of-the-sea

often resulting in 16 underwater collisions, turning it into an unseen hot war. The Soviet Union knowing the subs were there, would drop depth charges. The anti-submarine warfare (ASW) kept everyone on their toes. A serious chess match, all awhile waiting for the word to launch missiles, or fire torpedoes.

Since the USSR has collapsed, it has become very dull out there with no bona-fide aggressive enemy like the Soviets were. China is building very sophisticated subs, that is getting our attention, but it's just not the old shooting war like WWII, or the bumping of subs a few hundred feet down like it used to be.

I think that's why subs were used to shoot cruise missiles into Baghdad a few years back to inspire others to volunteer for the sub service, and give the message to new submariners that subs are still in the war game.

Going from volunteering to being forced in is a big change from tradition.

[wolfgirl]

2. One of our sons

has just finished the 2nd stage of his training as a Submarine Officer. He's been told that early next year he will be assigned to Pearl. He was a poly sci/sociology major in college, but the Navy & nuke subs caught his attention at graduation. The Admiral liked him & voila, off to nuke sub school he went. It was tough because of all the Engineering study, but he's done very well & is very excited.

He's told us that sub officers/crew are a very unique group of individuals as they truly love what they do or couldn't get through the educational requirements. It's very intense and we are very proud of him.

[Submariner]

3. Best of luck to your son wolfgirl

It will be an experience being part of the best of the best that he will carry with him forever. I ended up as an oceanographer inspired by my sub service days. It was the diesel boat (smokeboat) service, not as clean as a nuke, but a unique experience none the less.

U.S.S. USS BECUNA (SS 319)


If your son has any friends in the U.S. Marine Corps, give him the photo for of this hat so he can keep the traditional inter-service rivalry alive and well. :evilgrin: