July 2025 – Celebrating 14 years on theleansubmariner.com

Fourteen years has flown by Looking back over the past fourteen years since I began the blog, there have been many changes in my life and the world. The stunning event that began the desire to write is long past and mostly buried in the dark corners of my mind. Being let go from a […]

The Day the World Changed – Launching Polaris Submerged

I watched the news recently when the Air Force successfully landed their bunker buster bombs on the Iranian Target. 65 years ago, the Navy had its own dramatic moment that forever changed the world. USS George Washington (SSBN 598) left Groton on 28 June 1960 for Cape Canaveral, Florida, where she loaded two Polaris missiles. […]

Medal of Honor Awardee Frank William Crilley – A Diving Pioneer

Of all the fears I have ever had, being trapped in a sunken submarine is one of the biggest. The second biggest fear is finding out firsthand where crush depth is (My submariner nephews always accused me of serving on the both the Turtle and the Holland. This is dedicated to them.) Over the course […]

Where Are They Now?

Where Are They Now? Social media has really had an impact on the world. While some might argue that it has been mostly negative, there are some positive impacts that most of us would have never thought of fifty years ago. In previous generations, you had to meet face to face in a common space […]

He Was a Good Man – Remembering Our Submariners

He Was a Good Man – Remembering Our Submariners Every once in a while, I am reminded that the one constant in life is change and tied to that is the passage of time. No, I am not channeling a former presidential candidate… time is really passing and despite the commercials on tv promising to […]

All ahead slow

All ahead slow. Mister Mac Note: If you are a sensitive soul and easily offended, this is probably not a great story for you to engage in. Check back later for more submarine related stories Many years ago, when I was I the middle of my second career (2006), I went on my first trip […]

The 2025 Military Salute Regatta in Charleston Harbor – Another bucket list item checked off

A lifetime on the water Growing up in Western Pennsylvania, my life experience included sailing on the rivers that cut through the Mon valley and converge at Pittsburgh at the point. I remember the gentle rides we took on both powerboats and houseboats. My grandfather Bob had a great lakes v hulled cruiser that was […]

I hated the PRT… until I realized how bad things could get without it

I’ll be the first person to admit that of all the things I encountered in the navy, the PRT (Physical Readiness Test) was my least favorite thing. I can imagine there are a lot more like me out there. Let me explain. From the day you join any of our armed services, they start breaking […]

Fate is a funny thing

April 24, 1972 Revisited

We are really settling in to our new community. Del Webb Cane Bay in Summerville SC encourages people to participate in a number of clubs. I am one of the leaders in the Veterans Club and enjoy meeting with so many people who served the country. We also belong to the Wine Club where we […]