The Ultimate Qual Card – Creating a Legacy (The USSV CF Legacy Fund)

The Ultimate Qual Card – Creating a Legacy (The USSV CF Legacy Fund) In submarine school, the seasoned petty officers that taught us informed us that once we got on board our first boat, we would be issued bedding, a bunk bag for our dirty clothes and something called a qual card. They emphasized over […]

The Silent Service Needs You (1950’s version)

After World War 2, the US Navy had a surplus of many items from the big war. On both the east coast and the west coast, temporary resting places for many of the ships and submarines were teeming with no longer needed ships and submarines. I remember seeing large numbers of ships tied up and […]

Navy Training, Sir (Adventures in learning)

Navy Training, Sir One of my favorite movies of all time is Stripes and one of the best lines in the movie is when the platoon completes their razzle dazzle maneuver, and the general asks where they have been. Eventually Bill Murray shouts: Army Training sir.” I’m assured by my friend Phillip Dockter that the […]

A Sense of Belonging – USSVI Charleston Base 2024

I have always liked Charleston. Ever since I went to Submarine Auxiliary Package Course at the Fleet Ballistic Missile Base in Charleston SC in 1973, the area has held a special place in my heart. There are some places that are just more impactful than others in your development. I joined the Navy when I […]

Making a Submariner – Fifty Years ago

In January of 1973, my education as a submarine sailor began. I had already graduated from Machinist Mate “A” school and my original path to nuclear power school was diverted because of my inability to master the math and chemistry that was tested upon completion of “A” school. I was a bit disappointed. Instead of […]

Alone for Christmas

Disclaimer: While there is some submarine content, most of this is personal testimony to a spiritual part of my life. But I present it without shame or remorse. Merry Christmas. Mac Alone for Christmas Baby its cold outside. As the wind blows and the temperature hovers around zero. I truly am thankful for the people […]

Diesel men are like connoisseurs of old hams or juleps

This story from the Washington Star Newspaper from May 18, 1942, brought back a lot of memories for me. The first part certainly takes me back to all of the training I received as a young man in the Navy. Over the course of my career, I attended over 60 Navy schools related to […]

1919 – Setting a new standard for submarine training

1919 – Setting a new standard for submarine training The post for today is an excerpt from my upcoming book about Captain Cassin Young. The book captures his journey based on historical records and research into how the US Navy grew and developed its submarine force during the early years. This excerpt comes from Chapter […]

1916 – The Unexpected Guests Come Calling

1916 – In the United States, the need for a more structured course of instruction in submarine operations was identified by the Secretary of the Navy and the Navy Department. The increase in number and complexity of submarines was the driving force behind this perceived need. An earlier submarine school for enlisted technicians was already in […]

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 […]