Home : Heath Elliot Johnmeyer, United States Navy :

Submarine Officer

Swift, Silent and Deadly, these boats are the most lethal weapons in the Navy's inventory. Capable of a wide variety of missions, these boats are Forward Deployed, responsive and ready for action. When a crisis is brewing, the first question the President really asks is "Where are the Submarines?"

Submarine Warfare is the community within the Navy that involves the use of submarines towards the missions of sea control, projection of power ashore, and strategic deterrence. It is the only community that can operate in any weather condition, and is the most stealthy of any weapon system in the United States' arsenal. Submariners are the men who make this happen.

The traditional role of the modern Attack Boat, Anti-Submarine Warfare remains the basis of every Submariner's training. Using their inherent stealth, the modern attack submarine is the only effective ASW platform. Submarines, ours and theirs, use the environment to their best advantage, and only a platform operating in the same environment stands a chance of finding a modern submarine.

Sensors used include the BQQ-5 and BSY-1 sonar processing systems, coupled with both a bow mounted spherical array sonar as well as twin towed array sonar arrays. The combination of multiple arrays makes the modern fast attack submarine a very lethal opponent. The premier ASW weapon in the United States inventory is the Mk-48 Advanced Capabilities (ADCAP) heavyweight torpedo. This tube launched weapon has been significantly modified to counter latest generation submarines.

The Russian Navy continues to operate a very advanced fleet of submarines. Latest generation Akula SSNs are quieter than the most advanced western submarine. Soon to be launched, the Severodvinsk SSN will be even quieter, as will their 4th Generation SSBN. In June of 1995, the Deputy Commander of the Russian Navy laid down the ASW challenge, "We will learn to find your submarines." This challenge has been taken up by the United States Submarine Force.

There are only a few Navy bases that are equipped to homeport submarines. These include Groton, Connecticut; Norfolk, Virginia; Kings Bay, Georgia; San Diego, California; Bremerton, Washington; Bangor, Washington; and Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The submarine fleet consists of two types of subs. All US fleet submarines are powered by nuclear reactors.

The process towards becoming a submarine officer begins while he's are still in school. He doesn't have to be a science or engineering major to become a submariner - he just has to be smart and a good leader. In his senior year, he will go to Washington, D.C. and be interviewed personally by the Admiral who is the Chief of Naval Reactors. If approved into the program, upon commissionin commissioning he's got one year of advanced nuclear power training, starting with six months of classroom training at Nuclear Power School (NNPS) in Charleston, SC. At NNPS, he will learn the nuclear physics, thermodynamics, and operational knowledge required to control nuclear reactors. After NNPS, six months of practical, hands-on "Prototype" school at Ballston Spa, New York, one of the Navy's two shore-based reactor training facilities (Nuclear Power Training Units - NPTU), the other being in Charleston, South Carolina.

U.S. Navy Submarine, Merchant Vessel Collide in Strait of Hormuz No U.S. Sailors or merchant crew were injured when a U.S. Navy submarine and a commercial cargo vessel collided in the Strait of Hormuz on Jan. 8, 2007. The collision between USS Newport News (SSN 750) and the Japanese-flagged motor vessel Mogamigawa occurred at approximately 10:15 p.m. (local time) in the Strait of Hormuz while the submarine was transiting submerged. Overall damage to Newport News is being evaluated. The propulsion plant was unaffected by this collision. The incident is currently under investigation. Newport News is currently on a regularly scheduled deployment to the Central Command area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations (MSO). MSO set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment as well as complement the counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations. MSO deny international terrorists use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons, or other material. Rear Adm. Douglas J. McAneny, commander, Combined Task Force 54, completed administrative personnel actions involving select members of the USS Newport News (SSN 750) crew, Jan. 29, 2007, including relieving Cmdr. Matthew A. Weingart of command due to a lack of confidence in his ability to command. Capt. Norman B. Moore has temporarily assumed command of the Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine. Following a collision between Newport News and M/V Mogamigawa, Jan. 8, the submarine pulled into port in Bahrain where it is currently undergoing a damage inspection and assessment, to be followed by temporary repairs. The submarine will return to the United States once temporary repairs are complete at which time permanent repairs will be conducted. Legal and safety mishap investigations are in progress. No U.S. Sailors or merchant crew members were injured in the collision. From U.S. Naval Forces Central Command Public Affairs

Upon completion of Nuclear Power School and NPTU, he'll be assigned to a submarine (fast attack or boomer, SSN's and SSBN's have different deployment schedules due to the differences in their missions. SSNs' schedules are more like those of surface ships in that they do short "work-ups" near their homeport to prepare for their deployments, and then deploy to sea either independently or as part of an aircraft carrier's battle group for up to six months. SSBN's, however, have two separate crews, one called the "Blue" crew and one called the "#FFCC00" crew, for each submarine. Each crew has their own officers and captain. This dual-crew system allows the SSBN's to spend more time at sea on deterrent patrol by reducing fatigue. A typical SSBN patrol is less than two months, and while one crew is on patrol the other is in training). Prior to reporting to the submarine, there is a 12-week Submarine Officer Basic Course in New London, Connecticut. This period of instruction will provide an opportunity to learn the theory and principles of submarine operation and control, the basic administrative responsibilities of a division officer, the theory of the submerged fire control problem and weapons systems, and the basic fundamentals of submarine operations and tactics. Some officers may attend the 6 week strategic weapons system course at either the Trident Training Facility in Kings Bay, Georgia or Bangor, Washington.

Upon arriving at the first submarine, he will be assigned as a division officer. As a division officer, he is responsible for the maintenance and operation of a certain component of his ship, such a specific electronic, weapon, or engineering system. He will have in his division some of the most technically-proficient enlisted sailors in the entire Navy, and it is his job to lead and take care of them. He will have two of these eighteen-month sea tours. It is during this time that he will receive his qualifications to "drive" his ship as a "Conning Officer" or "Officer of the Deck," and operate the reactor and propulsion systems as "Engineering Officer of the Watch."

In addition to managing a group of highly trained enlisted submariners he will begin his own personal submarine qualification program. The culmination of his qualification is the awarding of the coveted Gold Dolphins and his designation as "Qualified in Submarines".

After his second division officer's tour, he will have a shore tour. The first shore assignment normally occurs after 3 years at sea and are normally about 2 years in length. Many junior officers going ashore will fill shore billets at Nuclear Power School, NPTU, Submarine School, and group and squadron staffs. Others will fill important billets at, NROTC units, recruiting districts, or will attend Naval Postgraduate School (NPGS). Other billets are available in such diverse areas as intelligence, overseas submarine staffs and major Washington area staffs including Naval Military Personnel Command, Strategic Projects and OPNAV.

If he has performed well thus far, he will be a department head on his next sea tour, which lasts thirty-six months. As a department head, he commands all of the divisions that fall under a particular category, such as engineering, combat systems, or operations. This tour is followed by another three-year shore tour on a command staff or at a military postgraduate school. In following sea tours, if he is promoted as such, he will eventually become the Executive Officer and then Commanding Officer of his own submarine!

The Submarine community "The Silent Service" is full of history and tradition as well as a strong commitment to the defense of the country and the support of its commitments around the world. The United States Submarine Force, an acknowledged symbol of military excellence, is poised to enter its second century of undersea dominance with the most highly trained people and advanced platforms in its history. Nuclear submarines, the product of American ingenuity and technological prowess, are a unique asset whose unprecedented contribution to deterrence, conflict prevention and warfighting will continue to be at the very foundation of our nation's security.

Submarine Admiral In this engaging personal memoir, Admiral I. J. Galantin tells the story of the amazing evolution of the submarine, from its earliest days in the American Revolution to today's post-cold war nuclear subs. From 1929, his plebe year at Annapolis, until 1970, when he retired, Galantin saw the U.S. Navy change from a moribund floating bureaucracy to the best fighting machine ever to sail the high seas. In waters from Japan to the Philippines, Galantin skippered his boat Halibut, barely escaping countless Japanese depth charges, and mines. For his wartime valor, the young officer collected the Navy Cross, three Silver Stars; and the Navy Unit Commendation, surviving to serve in the peacetime Navy. It was there that Galantin learned that opponents could be every bit as dangerous, yet impossible to find on a radar screen. The maze of Pentagon corridors hid seasoned warriors fighting over slashed budgets and building bureaucratic baronies. Galantin's story of his forty-one years before the mast is filled with adventure - the first passage under the North Pole - and heartbreak - the disappearance of Thresher with all hands. Throughout Galantin tells his personal story with a "you-are-there" immediacy. And, in his Epilogue, he advises how we can improve still further the greatest Navy the world has ever known.

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