February 1971 – This is not a Test

“For 40 Minutes in 1971, It Seemed the End Was Near” “Every TV and radio station in America was interrupted with an emergency message indicating nuclear war was imminent.” I was a junior then senior in High School in 1971 and the world was a very chaotic place. Some would even say it was explosive. […]

Watch Where You Are Going… The Ocean Is Big But Not as Big as You Think

Watch where you are going The world is filled with things in motion. Ever since the wheel was invented, one of the most cherished pieces of advice has had to have been to watch where you are going. We heard it as kids. It’s easy to become distracted along the way but those distractions can […]

We Build, We Fight

I love a good John Wayne Movie. One of my favorites has always been the Fighting Seabees. March 5 is recognized as the official birthday of the Seabees and I salute all of the men and women who have served in this vital part of the US Armed Forces. From World War 2 to present, […]

USS Pittsburgh – An Honored Name for Ships that Have Defended their Nation

The Pittsburgh Name has an Honored Place in Naval History The City of Pittsburgh in western Pennsylvania is geographically located far from the open oceans. Despite the busy Three Rivers that offer pathways for shipping and recreation, no ocean going US Navy ships can easily navigate their way to the Point where the three rivers […]

Warshot Loaded – Why Every Submariner is a Warrior

I know I have been MIA for a while. Sorry about that. Lots of personal stuff going on which I will share later. I recently rejoined the Veterans of Foreign Wars. My service on board two Boomers allowed me to be eligible to join. I have always thought that the organization was missing the boat […]

The Daring Gambler Held All the Cards – The Plunger Legacy

There are few other submarine names that show the progression of the growth of America’s submarine propulsion power as clearly as the family of boats named Plunger I wanted to end Submarine Month (April 2020) with a classic story and a tribute to one of the most decorated submarines of the Cold War at the […]

Question for Smoke Boat Sailors from the Vietnam Era

I don’t often do this, but thought it was worth asking this question for a new follower of the blog. As a long time Submariner, I am sure that many of the environmental factors we were exposed to have long term effects. You should see my medical history. But I know that the use of […]

End of Watch USS Pittsburgh SSN 720 April 15, 2020

This will be the final chapter in the USS Pittsburgh story. On April 15, 2020, Commander Jason Deichler posted his farewell note on Facebook. He is leaving the boat for his new assignment and this was his last official act as the skipper. USS Pittsburgh (SSN 720) was a Los Angeles-class attack submarine. The Los […]

The Mid Watch Revisited

The Mid Watch What does it feel like to be alone? I am sure that many people are starting to feel alone with the current condition of social distancing. In the interest of slowing down the spread of the Corona Virus, whole cities are being asked to isolate themselves from others. Since close proximity seems […]

1987 – The Counterpunch for a growing Soviet threat

1987 – The Counterpunch for a growing Soviet threat When I became a Machinist Mate Chief Petty Officer in August of 1987, I celebrated having served on a fair representation of Cold War submarines and stations. The journey took me from New London to Charleston to Pearl Harbor to Mare Island. Then the trip continued […]