You are late for watch – why aren’t you ready yet?

Originally posted on theleansubmariner:
You are late for watch Dreaded words. Despite your best efforts, you find yourself facing a hostile shipmate. Time on a submarine is precious and you just robbed him of some of his by being late. Let’s be honest. It happens to all of us. We think we are going to…

By any other name…

Fair warning… I have been avoiding politics but something has been on my mind recently. Stop reading now if this kind of stuff bothers you. (I am also in the early stages of Covid 19 and pretty exhausted… but I started working on this story before I got sick) I was born in May of […]

The Relief Crew – Giving Aid to the Front Line Fighters

During the World War 2 in the Pacific, one of the groups that had the biggest ability to impact Japanese supply lines was the US Navy Submarine Force. These incredibly brave men began their missions within hours of the attack on Pearl Harbor and brought destruction to the Japanese supply lines that was critical […]

Anticipate the difficult by managing the easy. Lao Tzu and the answer to Global Pandemics

Originally posted on theleansubmariner:
Anticipate the difficult by managing the easy. Lao Tzu Before it moves, hold it, Before it goes wrong, mold it, Drain off water in winter before it freezes, Before weeds grow, sow them to the breezes. You can deal with what has not happened, Can foresee Harmful events and not allow…

A Short Talk With Chief Petty Officers – 1918

If you have read the blog for any length of time, you are probably aware that I collect Blue Jackets manuals. Ever since I was issued my first one in 1972, I have found that this little blue instruction manual has been a great way to understand the training and expectations of sailors through the […]

February 1941- Ten Months to Infamy

February 1941- Ten Months to Infamy Husband Kimmel will certainly be remembered in American Naval History as long as any other figure. Admiral Kimmel was the man who was in charge of the Pacific Fleet on December 7th 1941. Admiral James O. Richardson was his predecessor in the position. Richardson was relieved of command in […]

Large Slow Targets – One Ship’s Story LST 808

I am reminded every once in a while that even though some ships are designed to fight the enemy directly, there is still a lot of honor and bravery in those ships that the Navy euphemistically classified as “Amphibs” and “Auxiliaries”. In my 1943 Bluejacket’s Manual, the vessels were not even listed in the ship […]

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 […]

The confession followed an all-night grilling. Justice in America 1921

Note: This story was deeply disturbing for me to write. Not only because of the seeming failures of the Justice Department but because I am afraid the United States Navy participated in a horrendous miscarriage of justice in the persecution of one of its sailors. I encourage you to look at the story and see […]

The Stirling Letter and How it Helped to Change the Navy

I am reading about the early American efforts to build submarines. There is a lot of great reference material out there that talks about how we entered the submarine race. In the beginning, there was a gap between the creative forces that invented the early technology and the reality of how to make the submarine […]