And the rocket’s “Red” glare – Soviet Submarines (Part 2)

(Part Two of the Soviet Union Submarine series) https://theleansubmariner.com/2020/03/27/we-had-rickover-they-had-gorshkov-the-whole-world-watched/ In April 1972, I raised my right hand swore allegiance to the United States of America as a brand new member of the United States Navy. It would be the first of many times I repeated the oath. During that time, the War in Vietnam had […]

Social Distancing Masters of the Universe

In this time of trial, I feel sad for those people who are finding themselves isolated from their friends and family. I especially feel kind of bad that I really don’t feel all that isolated myself. I have a great wife and a very creative cat named Moses. To be honest, I really feel like […]

We had Rickover – They had Gorshkov; The whole world watched

Soviet Submarine Threat: Part 1 The flag of the Soviet Navy flies over the oceans of the world. Sooner or later the United States will have to understand it no longer has mastery of the seas. Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union S. G. GORSHKOV I’m sure some people wonder why I spend […]

1959 – Why do you need so damn many submarines?

Why do you need so damn many submarines? I can almost hear the Air Force Brass asking that question of the Navy as they were presented the “threat” profile developed by the intelligence agencies in 1959. 1959 was a pivotal year for submarine development in the United States. The military in general was going through […]

How fast will that thing go? The USS Skipjack Story

How fast can you go on a submarine? Along with how deep, how fast is often one of the most asked questions once someone knows you were on board a submarine. The standard answer that was pounded into our heads in submarine school was in excess of 20 knots and deeper than 400 feet. Once […]

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

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 them to be. Simple […]

THE BACKBONE OF THE FLEET – The United States Navy in 1940

THE BACKBONE OF THE FLEET – The United States Navy in 1940 Navy Day is a holiday that is no longer really celebrated in the United States. While President Truman surely helped to bring about its demise, the American public was probably ready for a break from too much emphasis on the military by the […]

We might as well stop daydreaming about defeating Japan – February 1940

WE MIGHT AS WELL STOP DAYDREAMING ABOUT DEFEATING JAPAN In February of 1940, the world was already at war. Germany had launched its offensive against Czechoslovakia and Poland and Hitler was in the process of approving the Mannstein Plan which would lead to the invasion and subjugation of France in the summer of 1940. In America, […]

“What nation will own the submarine monster is a question.” The Original Submarine Day Story

“What nation will own the submarine monster is a question.” I was watching the posts put up on social media about the “Original” submarine day recently (March 17th). My own tradition has always been to recognize April as the American Submarine month. I also have been pretty much centered on 1900 as the founding year […]

Me? Stressed??? No. I am quite sure the flooding will put the fire out

One of the oldest sayings I can remember about the even temperedness of being a submariner was something that I heard a junior officer relay to the Captain during a multiple casualty on the George Washington. We had just had a very stressful few weeks in a sea tossed by typhoons and generally bad weather. […]