(Submarine Club members in a Sub Simulator)

Becoming a nuclear-trained submarine officer in the United States Navy is an extremely challenging, rewarding experience steeped in some of the Navy’s deepest traditions.  The submarine community contains the nation’s most highly trained, closely knit professionals who are responsible for missions vital to national security.  For example, the ballistic missile submarine fleet provides the country’s only 100% survivable nuclear deterrent.  Moreover, the Navy’s guided missile submarines have the capability to sit undetected off a country’s coast for months at a time and launch upwards of 150 tomahawk cruise missiles (i.e. the equivalent of an entire surface battle group) at enemy targets. 

Currently, the Navy’s submarines have the highest Operational Schedule in the entire Fleet (50% of the nation’s submarines are away from their homeport).  As a result, in order to qualify as submarine officers, Midshipmen and Officer Candidates must demonstrate the highest level of academic performance; they must also prove that they can act competently in leadership positions within the Battalion, despite the inevitable stress that comes along with such responsibility .  After passing the initial application requirements during the senior year, each candidate is flown to Washington, D.C to interview with engineers at the Office of Naval Reactors.  If a candidate receives favorable recommendations from the interviewing engineers, he will receive a final interview with Admiral Donald, Deputy Administrator for the National Nuclear Security Administration’s Office of Nuclear Reactors.

After being commissioned as an Ensign in the United States Navy, each future submarine officer will attend Nuclear Power School in Charleston, South Carolina, where the theory behind the operation of a naval nuclear reactor will be taught.  This training is followed by six months of practical training at Nuclear Prototype School and thirteen weeks at the Submarine Basic Course in Groton, Connecticut, where the principles of submarine operations and damage control are introduced.  After the completion of the rigorous training pipeline, each officer will report to a nuclear-powered submarine.

The goal of the Submarine Club is to provide as much information and practical experience as possible to members of the Battalion who are interested in joining the submarine community.  Due to the Navy’s presence in San Diego County, including the Point Loma Submarine Base, we have an incredible opportunity to utilize training facilities, as well as interact with active duty and retired submariners.  These unique opportunities afford members of the San Diego Battalion the ability to make an informed decision about selecting submarine duty as their future naval career.

In the past, the Submarine Club has participated in numerous activities around San Diego.  For example, some club members had the opportunity to tour the HMS Gotland, a Swedish attack submarine temporarily visiting San Diego.  Furthermore, individuals routinely participate in damage control and dive trainers at the Point Loma Submarine Base. 

During the Spring semester of 2008, the Submarine Club hosted a luncheon with CDR Sampson, Commanding Officer of the USS La Jolla (SSN 701), which is based out of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.  Club members were able to ask CDR Sampson about some of the unique opportunities available to submarine officers, such as attending Navy Diving and Salvage training in Panama City, Florida. Furthermore, five individuals attended a Naval Submarine League luncheon at Naval Base Point Loma.  During the luncheon, CAPT Harry Mathis, USN (ret.) gave a mission debrief from his days as the Commanding Officer of the USS Sculpin (SSN 590) during the Vietnam War.  The Submarine Club also jointly participates in computer-simulated war fighting games with the Aviation and Surface Warfare clubs throughout each semester.  Furthermore, during the summer, many Battalion members have the opportunity to complete their Summer Cruise training requirement onboard operational submarines throughout the world. 

If you have any questions about joining the NROTC San Diego Battalion as a potential future submarine officer, please feel free to contact Midshipman Second Class Michael Sass, the Submarine Club President, at mdsass@gmail.com.

-MIDN 2/C Sass
Submarine Club President