Memorial Day 2023 – Remembering

I haven’t posted in a while. Life has been busier than I had expected in my 69th trip around the sun. It’s been a year since I went back to work as a Chief of Staff and it’s been nothing short of interesting. But time consuming. And a bit rough on my health. Memorial Day […]

How MAD were we?

In January 1963, the world was on edge. The recent Cuban Missile Crisis had shown how close we were to Mutual Assured Destruction on a scale never before seen. The arms race of the late 1950’s and early 1960’s had pushed the east and west closer to global confrontation since the end of the Second […]

Rule number one at sea: keep the sea outside of the boat

What is bravery? Through the years, I have often been told by people that they could never ride a submarine. Claustrophobia is probably a big thing, but the fear of being cooped up in a small metal cylinder operating in a vast ocean is also a factor. I saw a lot of brave actions in […]

She built it well

I got a “proud Aunt” note from one of my favorite cousins last year about her niece. “Hi Bob! Hope all is well. Just wanted to share. My niece, Isabella just became a certified welder and had her second interview over at Electric Boat in New London. If she gets hired she might get to […]

Submarine Month 2023

I have been involved with the Pittsburgh Council of the US Navy League for about ten years. It’s a great organization that reflects the connection between Pittsburgh and the Navy and in particular, the submarine service. Most people who are not fully aware of Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania probably would not know how much the […]

A Real Deep Sea Sailorman – Harley Cope

Personal Note: I’m still reeling from a few personal losses recently. Writing is a form of therapy to try and take my mind off of those events that are taking their toll on me mentally and spiritually. For those who have been regular readers for a long time, I sincerely apologize. Writing as therapy The […]

We must lead, not follow, in naval development – Even after 100 years, it is still true

Looking around the world today, I am concerned about my country’s ability to defend itself. Government influence and some in the navy’s leadership have made many decisions over the past forty years that are put us at risk. The greatest example is the phenomenal failure of the littoral combat ship project. I had at one […]

Ready on day one. Really???

Ready on day one. Quite often in interviews with potential employees, a candidate will tell the interviewers that they are “ready on day one of the job”. They make this very bold claim based on their previous education or experience in a related field. But my personal experience in a number of fields makes me […]

Justice for the Sinking of the SS Dorchester on February 3 1943

Many articles have been written about the loss of the SS Dorchester on February 3, 1943. Eighty years ago this week, the sinking resulted in the tragic loss of many American soldiers who had never stepped foot in a combat zone. Wolf packs consisting of multiple submarines was a powerful force of destruction on merchant […]

Offenders to Be Enlightened-Equal Treatment to All : Japanese Propaganda in 1943

I’m a little behind this week since my younger brother passed away on Sunday. He had suffered from cardiovascular disease for quite some time and other complications. But 65 is still too young. His wife and kids will certainly feel his loss as do all of us who knew him. I started working on this […]