International Submariners Congress

(SAN DIEGO, California) - September 6th - September 12th 2009:  The 46th Annual International Submariners Congress was recently held at the Town and Country Hotel and Convention Center in the Mission Valley. The event was held in conjunction with the United States Submarine Veterans Incorporated National Convention where submariners, both past and present, from Argentina, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Israel, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Russia, Sweden, Turkey, Ukraine and the United States were in attendance.

Students from the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps San Diego (NROTC) had the great opportunity to participate in the convention and provide assistance for several functions. On September 6th, Midshipmen greeted visitors at the Town and Country Hotel and Convention Center and provided much needed foreign language skills.  Midshipmen and Officer Candidates acted as ushers for the September 8th blessing being held at the University of San Diego's Immaculata Parish, followed by a meet and greet, which allowed the NROTC students the opportunity to converse with hundreds of international veterans.  The Congress held its opening ceremonies that same evening, which was highlighted by a speech from VADM Donnelly, Commander of the United States Submarine Force.  In addition to the primary convention, the Unit's Executive Officer, Commander Daniel Garcia, USN, and the Unit's Commanding Officer, Captain Mark Woolley, USN, attended a dinner in honor of the participants. 

This convention was a great learning experience for the Midshipmen and Officer Candidates as they were able to meet and mingle with submarine veterans from around the world.  Due to its small size, it is unusual to get such a large group of submariners together, and it will be an experience that the Midshipmen and Officer Candidates will remember for years. 

- Officer Candidate Matthew Turtle