Submarine Club

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 upon commissioning.  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.

This semester, the Submarine Club planned multiple events that were designed to give members of the battalion a realistic look at the submarine community.  In early March, the entire battalion had the honor to welcome CDR Berkhout, Commanding Officer of USS ASHEVILLE (SSN 758).  After giving a speech about the benefits of becoming a nuclear trained officer, select members of the Submarine Club attended a breakfast with CDR Berkhout and one of the Asheville’s junior officers.  The breakfast gave members of the battalion a chance to ask questions about the submarine community in a more informal, relaxed environment.  In early April, the Submarine Club faced-off against the SWO Club and Aviation Club in a Dangerous Waters computer simulation.  Members of the club also toured USS JEFFERSON CITY (SSN 759) at the Point Loma Submarine Base.  During the tour, we were able to look through the submarine’s periscopes in the control room, tour the torpedo room, and see the wardroom and crew’s mess. 

If you are a current member of the battalion, look out for e-mails regarding future events the Submarine Club will be hosting.  Next semester, our goal is to have another tour of a fast attack submarine.  We would also like to strengthen our relationship with the Pacific Southwest Chapter of the Naval Submarine League.  This organization is comprised mostly of retired submariners, and they have been extremely supportive of our battalion, giving our midshipmen and officer candidates a chance to gain a better appreciation for the submarine community, past and present. 

If you are not a member of the battalion but have any questions about joining the NROTC San Diego Battalion as a potential future submarine officer, please feel free to contact Midshipman First Class Michael Sass, the Submarine Club President, at mdsass@gmail.com.

--MIDN Michael Sass
   Submarine Club President