USS Sam Houston SSBN 609 – The Runaway Raven

Did you ever get so mad as a kid that you ran away from home? Not counting the Navy of course. I would suspect that there are more than a few of my readers that were looking for a way out of something when they signed up to become part of the Navy. No, I […]

USS James K. Polk SSBN 645 – From sea to shining sea

USS James K. Polk SSBN 645 – From sea to shining sea AT first glance, the selection of James K. Polk seems like one of the most unusual choices in the 41 for Freedom naming convention. A one term President that resided over some of the greatest controversies of the age, Polk was President during […]

We have the watch – Saturdays, Sundays and Nights

I recently posted a story about sea trials and the USS San Francisco (SSN 711). My shipmate EM1/SS Jerry Stanek was a Plankowner on the boat and has remained a friend for over 39 years. We don’t see each other much anymore but still stay in touch. I mentioned that Jerry has a copy of […]

“Brandywine, Brandywine this is Singing Bush. Gertrude Check.”

There should be no question in anyone’s mind that submarines are one of the most challenging duties any person could ever volunteer for. The men and now women who sail on these unique ships do so with the understanding that all care has been taken to provide for their safety but in the end, safety […]

The Submariner’s Lament; When you remember

The story called “When you understand” was posted originally on Facebook in April 2014. It has been shared over 9711 times in the time it has been on Facebook On May 22, 2018, the short story I composed in October of 2014 (originally titled “When you understand”) was formally registered with the United States Copyright Office with the […]

SSN 711 – That fateful day on January 8th

In January 2005, an event happened on the USS San Francisco (SSN 711) that serves as a reminder that even in this day of modern technology and science, the ocean is still mightier in its capability to test man’s limitations. On January 8th 2005 at 0243 GMY, she collided with a sea mount resulting […]