Submarine Warfare

Community

Objectives
Recognize designations, capabilities,
characteristics, and missions of all
submarines
Recall the objectives and missions of the
submarine community and how these
contribute to the U.S. Navy
Identify the types of submarines in use

Objectives (cont)
Know the operating cycles of submarine
crews
Know the selection process for nuclearpower training
Know the training required before being
assigned to a nuclear-powered vessel
Know the submarine officer career path
and opportunities

Submarine History
Bushnells Turtle
1775 First submarine
Human powered, submerged for 30 minutes
Attacked the HMS Eagle in New York Harbor

CSS Hunley
Attacked the USS Housatonic in Charleston
Harbor
Sank the ship but was also lost

History (cont)
Germans used submarines in WWI
WWII
U.S. submarines sank over 9 million tons of
Japanese shipping
Submarines sank more warships than any
other naval arm

After WWII
Nuclear power developed to allow submarines
to stay underwater indefinitely

SSN
Nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine

SSBN
Nuclear-powered ballistic-missile submarine

Characteristics and Missions

SSN
Seawolf (SSN-21)
Los Angeles (improved 688)
688

Missions
ASW and ASUW
Mine and Strike warfare
Intelligence gathering
Covert insertion/extraction

Characteristics and Missions

SSBN
Ohio Class (726)
Pre-Ohio-class SSBNs have been
decommissioned

Missions
Strategic deterrence
Can perform same missions of SSN

Operating Cycles
SSN
50% of cycle in homeport, Refits/Overhauls
Deployment to WESTPAC and Local Ops

SSBN
Two crews (Blue & Gold)
While one crew has the boat, the other is on land
training
The On crew will have the boat for 3 months then
turn over to Off crew

Nuclear Selection Process

Eligibility Requirements
1 year of calculus and 1 year of calculusbased physics
Stresses Academic Excellence
Apply 1 year prior to graduation
If approved, sent to Naval Reactors in
Washington, D.C. for interviews
If selected, choose either surface or
submarines

Nuclear Power Training

Naval Nuclear Power Training Command
Charleston, SC

Land-based Prototype
Balston Spa, NY or Charleston, SC

Submarine Officer Basic Course

Groton, CT
Only if chosen for submarines

Incentives

Life aboard submarines

Wardroom organization
Qualifications
Engineering Officer of the Watch (EOOW)
Diving Officer of the Watch
Officer of the Deck (OOD)
Submarine Warfare (Dolphins)

Tour rotations
Typical jobs onboard

Summary
Objectives and missions of the submarine
community and how these contribute to the
U.S. Navy
Types of submarines
Operating cycles of submarine crews
Selection process and Training for nuclearpower
Submarine officer career path and
opportunities