I remember the trainers well. Even after sub school during various stand-downs back to the trainers for ship's control, battle stations, etc. Nothing prepares you for really bad days underway, but the trainers and drills reinforce you to stay alive a day longer. Remember, you have to make it to movie night, tit in the 3rd reel.
I signed up for the Navy two days ago, and agreed to volunteer for submarine training. Seeing this kind of spooks me, but in a way it also gives me great encouragement. Thanks for posting.
I had the unfortunate experience of being medically disqualified. After going Surface qualifying on a CG and a DDG, I proudly wore my dolphins on top. Oddly enough, standing OOD in port my seniors all knew not to ask why.
Sub school 1965 we didn't have all those new fancy trainers, we learned on the old diesel boat trainers. There were plenty of pig boats left at that time. Then I was sent to the BRAND NEW USS George C Marshall 654 where I made 7 patorls. Got out in 1970 and have never set foot on a submarine again. I was proud of our country and proud to be a part of the greatest cold war submarine service there ever was
@JpoidMikeru Thank you for your comment. I feel that most of this movie is as contemporary as today. And no. There has not been another one like it. It was an extraordinary moment when the Navy gave us permission to make this one. David Hoffman -- film maker
I got the 'Sharks of Steel' for Christmas the year before I enlisted and went the sub route. Eventually taught the wet trainer and fire trainer in Bangor, was so much fun. I'd do it again in a heartbeat!
@TTLDNS Thank you for your response but the video you refer to is only about training. Not about the submarine at sea, history, etc. David Hoffman -- filmmaker
@ncrdisabled I am most interested in the job of chief of the boat. When I was on a boat myself and filming, that particular responsibility and title representing the enlisted man to the officers, was most appealing and most important. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. David Hoffman
After going Surface Fleet, my Command Master Chief stopped me mid sentence once and said. “I know you will always be a Submariner in your heart, but I will never be your COB.” I never missed the Submarine Force as much as that day. And every day since. ET1(SS/SW/MTS) US Navy, Ret.
I made the biggest mistake by leaving submarines. I am in the process of changing rates from HM to MM (A-Gang). I was a deck seaman striker and struck Corpsman. What a friggen mistake that was. I miss the boats (Except field day) and I am returning soon to where I trully belong. On board submarines! I am praying that I get a fast boat out of Groton. I trully miss submarines and submariners. Submariners are trully the best people in the world in my opinion.
At 2:00+ minutes flooding in TR but the instructor says we still have flooding in ER 601 & 665 Power & Light Dept Back in 75 they weren't sending nucs to sub school; I've been thru many of the schools wet trainer in PH & SD (never beat it) never went up the tower
@pires4 thankyou for the insights. I am uncertain about the current mission of the submarine Navy given that there is no USSR. The Navy doesn't talk about it much these days. David Hoffman - fimmaker
@hateschools Actually. You must that have seen the clip. I do know what you do. I have made 3 movies on the US submarine Navy. The narrator takes the point of view he does to help the audience who asks questions very similar to the one the narrator asks. Nonetheless, thank you for your comments. David Hoffman - filmmaker
It was the best thing I ever id. Qualified boats in 1982, as a Nuke. So never went to sub school but I did get to go to fire fighting school and it was similar. And a total blast. And I've never really fit in anywhere else since. I just wish I hadn't been so young and stupid and realized that then, because I would have stayed in until they made me leave instead of getting out after 6.
Those are words I hoped to NEVER hear again - “Flooding in the Torpedo Room!”. Problem was that we were at TEST DEPTH, Rigged for Deep Submergence when it happened, and of course I was sitting right in front of the control valve actuators for the TR Drain Valves. I never thought I could hand pump those things so fast. NO ONE EVER FORGETS getting drowned in the Wet Trainer....
I was on the DACE SSN (607) in the 70's , Fast Attack Boat. It was a Permint class boat 594, because it was same class as the USS Thresher 593 so the class name change when the Thresher went down good luch newbies get your Dolphins
i just joined the submarine force a few months ago, and still have to earn my dolphins. it really isn't that bad just be ready to study and be called a nub over and over. it all pays off in the end
@Dirtboxhor I left the boat before the next to last patrol and going to refit I was in the IC division and may have known several of the guys on there when you got there . What were you when you got to the sub. I know 1 guy for sure he was bobby grimms NUCK div. I lived with him off base. The I got transferred for advanced training in San diago CA. Then they sent me to Scotland for ssbn 619. I got a good one for you the sub was in Kingsbay ga we took bus from Charleston SC to GA then back to SC
Nice idea. But the DOOW does not operate the Controlls for an Emergency Blow Nor does he have to ever leave that chair. Interesting in getting the visuals but actually the COW would be told - get this done. get this done. G.
It's a boomer patrol pin. People who serve on Ballistic Missile Submarine (AKA boomer) earn those when they've completed a deterrent patrol and earn stars for each subsequent patrol. If you're a Sonar tech, being on a boomer is deathly boring since the primary mission is to evade any contact with other ships. On attack subs, it's far more "interesting" since you are much more up close and personal. I was on two 688-class attack subs during my 6 year enlistment and went on a northern run on a 637 class attack boat as a Sonar rider since they were short-handed. The instructor in the video is a Machinist Mate, First Class (AKA E-6) or MM1(SS)
Not true. I've seen plenty of submarine qualified E-3's smash and put 3rd, 2nd, and 1st class and chief-petty officers in their place. Rank doesnt matter on a submarine, its about being submarine qualified and knowing what your talking about, and being able to stand watch and maintain or repair equipment. Non-qual petty officers are useless and only fill the sanitary tanks w/ crap and use valuable potable water.
@1111Davo1 Yes, and it was a joke. The instructors didn't give a shit. We learned a months worth of knowledge in one year. Submarine Electronic Computer Field school was garbage. "Oh, the system isn't working, you pass this test.", every day. I just learned everything when I got to the boat.
There was nothing on the chief, but on the MM1, it’s his pocket rocket. Shows number of boomer deterant patrols. Get the pin for first patrol, then a star for every other patrol after
I remember I was in sub school in 1982 and then went to elec school then first boat SSBN 634 3 years the rest on SSBN 619 got out after 7 years as a IC2 (SS) You do not get respect till you become a petty officer and the higher you get the more respect you get.
I have to agree with you I remember those days well . I am now 50 and I am a part disabled vet after a torpedo reload accident . . Stupid chain broke and torpedo swung into me and cracked my back. I got qualed after 1.5 patrols and after that is was cake I was qualed IC forward battery charge fairwater planes look out top side sentry and petty offer Plus all the others when inport . I had a great sea day I lived with him offbase so that helped a lot . I wish I could have staid in . Stupid acdt
This is the unknown . How many people decide to take submarine lessons for the week and have some kind of knowledge before they goes through this school. probably.. 0
I signed up to be a submariner,did all the meps stuff,I was 2 days from leaving for basic and got arrested for possession of weed,my recruiter had me standing tall in front of a rear admiral, which was very intimidating talking to a man with such achievements, but after getting me to relax,the RA made a few calls to see if he could help me out,but it was the mid 90's and the overall military was overhauling their zero tolerance policy where at one time a simple pos could be waivered unfortunately for me that changed,my biggest regret in life was missing this opportunity, every time I see a navy enlistment commercial or ad,I get teared up,that was almost 20years ago and it still bothers me
Dolphins before rank on submarine. I was an E-3/SS (deck seaman striker) on board USS Dallas back in NOV2003 doing my checkouts (did 4 years on Dallas) was in "Docs" space on the phone and ripped into an E-6 (NUC) for bothering me on the phone. He may have been an E-6 but he was a NUB.
I remember the trainers well. Even after sub school during various stand-downs back to the trainers for ship's control, battle stations, etc. Nothing prepares you for really bad days underway, but the trainers and drills reinforce you to stay alive a day longer. Remember, you have to make it to movie night, tit in the 3rd reel.
I signed up for the Navy two days ago, and agreed to volunteer for submarine training. Seeing this kind of spooks me, but in a way it also gives me great encouragement. Thanks for posting.
You'll become a proud member of a proud group of men. Men without peers!
how was your experience?
I had the unfortunate experience of being medically disqualified. After going Surface qualifying on a CG and a DDG, I proudly wore my dolphins on top.
Oddly enough, standing OOD in port my seniors all knew not to ask why.
Sub school 1965 we didn't have all those new fancy trainers, we learned on the old diesel boat trainers. There were plenty of pig boats left at that time. Then I was sent to the BRAND NEW USS George C Marshall 654 where I made 7 patorls. Got out in 1970 and have never set foot on a submarine again. I was proud of our country and proud to be a part of the greatest cold war submarine service there ever was
Sub School 1965 for me too - Officer's School. 24 year Retired Submariner.
@JpoidMikeru Thank you for your comment. I feel that most of this movie is as contemporary as today. And no. There has not been another one like it. It was an extraordinary moment when the Navy gave us permission to make this one.
David Hoffman -- film maker
That was really good.
This brings back some memories.
I got the 'Sharks of Steel' for Christmas the year before I enlisted and went the sub route. Eventually taught the wet trainer and fire trainer in Bangor, was so much fun. I'd do it again in a heartbeat!
@TTLDNS Thank you for your response but the video you refer to is only about training. Not about the submarine at sea, history, etc.
David Hoffman -- filmmaker
I went through this 54 years ago, but looking at this it was yesterday!
@ncrdisabled I am most interested in the job of chief of the boat. When I was on a boat myself and filming, that particular responsibility and title representing the enlisted man to the officers, was most appealing and most important. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
David Hoffman
After going Surface Fleet, my Command Master Chief stopped me mid sentence once and said. “I know you will always be a Submariner in your heart, but I will never be your COB.”
I never missed the Submarine Force as much as that day.
And every day since.
ET1(SS/SW/MTS) US Navy, Ret.
I made the biggest mistake by leaving submarines. I am in the process of changing rates from HM to MM (A-Gang). I was a deck seaman striker and struck Corpsman. What a friggen mistake that was. I miss the boats (Except field day) and I am returning soon to where I trully belong. On board submarines! I am praying that I get a fast boat out of Groton. I trully miss submarines and submariners. Submariners are trully the best people in the world in my opinion.
Did you sleep yet?
At 2:00+ minutes flooding in TR but the instructor says we still have flooding in ER
601 & 665 Power & Light Dept
Back in 75 they weren't sending nucs to sub school; I've been thru many of the schools wet trainer in PH & SD (never beat it) never went up the tower
@pires4 thankyou for the insights. I am uncertain about the current mission of the submarine Navy given that there is no USSR. The Navy doesn't talk about it much these days.
David Hoffman - fimmaker
the world has gotten more complicated believe or not Mr. Hoffman... some actually miss the simplicity of the Cold War... MM1/SS, retired here.
@hateschools Actually. You must that have seen the clip. I do know what you do. I have made 3 movies on the US submarine Navy. The narrator takes the point of view he does to help the audience who asks questions very similar to the one the narrator asks.
Nonetheless, thank you for your comments.
David Hoffman - filmmaker
It was the best thing I ever id. Qualified boats in 1982, as a Nuke. So never went to sub school but I did get to go to fire fighting school and it was similar. And a total blast. And I've never really fit in anywhere else since. I just wish I hadn't been so young and stupid and realized that then, because I would have stayed in until they made me leave instead of getting out after 6.
Btw, that water is cold. The water tank is external, subjected to the cold Rotten Groton weather. I went through this in 1986.
1989 here.
I went through in '80
I went through it about 3 months ago that shits cold as fuck
1991 for me.
2014 here
I remember going threw this training...by the way that water is cold and makes if difficult to speak and breath. (USS Texas 775)
Another Texan here. Small world
Those are words I hoped to NEVER hear again - “Flooding in the Torpedo Room!”. Problem was that we were at TEST DEPTH, Rigged for Deep Submergence when it happened, and of course I was sitting right in front of the control valve actuators for the TR Drain Valves. I never thought I could hand pump those things so fast.
NO ONE EVER FORGETS getting drowned in the Wet Trainer....
I was on the DACE SSN (607) in the 70's , Fast Attack Boat. It was a Permint class boat 594, because it was same class as the USS Thresher 593 so the class name change when the Thresher went down good luch newbies get your Dolphins
My Dad was on 607 in 73
i just joined the submarine force a few months ago, and still have to earn my dolphins. it really isn't that bad just be ready to study and be called a nub over and over. it all pays off in the end
I remember the main "Flange"!!
I like how the flooding in the TR suddenly jumped into the ER. ;-).
Thanks for posting...been there-done all this.
SSBN 636 The Nat Greene (aka Nasty Nat) 1966 to 1969. five patrols.
Briggs MM2(SS)
Thats exactly what I'm talking about.....good man.
When were you on the Honopig? I was there in the early 90's.
@Dirtboxhor I left the boat before the next to last patrol and going to refit I was in the IC division and may have known several of the guys on there when you got there . What were you when you got to the sub. I know 1 guy for sure he was bobby grimms NUCK div. I lived with him off base. The I got transferred for advanced training in San diago CA. Then they sent me to Scotland for ssbn 619. I got a good one for you the sub was in Kingsbay ga we took bus from Charleston SC to GA then back to SC
The few the proud the Brave! The Men.
Hey, its baby Seamus! Sean Matusik!!!
BEEN THERE AND DONE THAT! MANY TIMES OVER..
@elcloud23 My son graduates from Sonar A school July 1. Ill be there to see him graduate. Good luck to you..
I was SUBSCOL MARCH 1990 and they look like they were before me. :)
Nice idea. But the DOOW does not operate the Controlls for an Emergency Blow Nor does he have to ever leave that chair.
Interesting in getting the visuals but actually the COW would be told - get this done. get this done.
G.
@bulletproofscales ...It wasn't a dam joke when we went through it, but I guess a lot of things changed since 1965.
It's a boomer patrol pin. People who serve on Ballistic Missile Submarine (AKA boomer) earn those when they've completed a deterrent patrol and earn stars for each subsequent patrol.
If you're a Sonar tech, being on a boomer is deathly boring since the primary mission is to evade any contact with other ships. On attack subs, it's far more "interesting" since you are much more up close and personal.
I was on two 688-class attack subs during my 6 year enlistment and went on a northern run on a 637 class attack boat as a Sonar rider since they were short-handed.
The instructor in the video is a Machinist Mate, First Class (AKA E-6) or MM1(SS)
"Alright, let me get in there and yell at 'em...."
Remember that school well, and the trainer. It was rush the first time. 625 (G) 73-75
thats so awesome man i'd love to get on a sub
My son is there NOW!
@Dooski18
Oh hey, dude! Mt first day in boot will be May 4th. You?
Baby coners.. awww how cute.
@allinaday
The fact that you don't know what we do, means that we're doing our job.
Not true. I've seen plenty of submarine qualified E-3's smash and put 3rd, 2nd, and 1st class and chief-petty officers in their place. Rank doesnt matter on a submarine, its about being submarine qualified and knowing what your talking about, and being able to stand watch and maintain or repair equipment. Non-qual petty officers are useless and only fill the sanitary tanks w/ crap and use valuable potable water.
You do not have to ace the ASVAB.... I got a 72 on it and got into SECF.
I got a 72 as well and went mma
@1111Davo1
Yes, and it was a joke. The instructors didn't give a shit. We learned a months worth of knowledge in one year. Submarine Electronic Computer Field school was garbage. "Oh, the system isn't working, you pass this test.", every day. I just learned everything when I got to the boat.
The control room looks like starship enterprise :D
What is the insignia on the Chiefs pocket flap.
Howard Dempsey
No, *on* the pocket flap, the dolphins are above the fruit salad.
...and, someone else replied off the thread.
Boomer Patrol pin.
Howard Dempsey
I wasn't "being" anything. I asked a specific question. That's all. Don't make more of it than what it is.
There was nothing on the chief, but on the MM1, it’s his pocket rocket. Shows number of boomer deterant patrols. Get the pin for first patrol, then a star for every other patrol after
jeez he was a seamn swallow, fuckkkkk, much respect to you nukes
I remember I was in sub school in 1982 and then went to elec school then first boat SSBN 634 3 years the rest on SSBN 619 got out after 7 years as a IC2 (SS)
You do not get respect till you become a petty officer and the higher you get the more respect you get.
I have to agree with you I remember those days well . I am now 50 and I am a part disabled vet after a torpedo reload accident . . Stupid chain broke and torpedo swung into me and cracked my back. I got qualed after 1.5 patrols and after that is was cake I was qualed IC forward battery charge fairwater planes look out top side sentry and petty offer Plus all the others when inport . I had a great sea day I lived with him offbase so that helped a lot . I wish I could have staid in . Stupid acdt
This is the unknown . How many people decide to take submarine lessons for the week and have some kind of knowledge before they goes through this school. probably.. 0
Lots of salt in these comments. Being qualified in submarines is nice, but you better be qualified to stand watch or else you are still a nub.
01-05
Actually this was from the early 90's. But nice to know another bubblehead.
dinq nubs sink subs
Sub school was a joke.
I signed up to be a submariner,did all the meps stuff,I was 2 days from leaving for basic and got arrested for possession of weed,my recruiter had me standing tall in front of a rear admiral, which was very intimidating talking to a man with such achievements, but after getting me to relax,the RA made a few calls to see if he could help me out,but it was the mid 90's and the overall military was overhauling their zero tolerance policy where at one time a simple pos could be waivered unfortunately for me that changed,my biggest regret in life was missing this opportunity, every time I see a navy enlistment commercial or ad,I get teared up,that was almost 20years ago and it still bothers me
Aaron Davis it's unfortunate this happened.
The bubbleheads do get tight w/ one another down there. 100 men go down-50 couples come up. ahhhhhHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ah shucks. Did you just make that up?
Those are the real navy outfits, not this silly bdu boloney they have going on now.
Dolphins before rank on submarine. I was an E-3/SS (deck seaman striker) on board USS Dallas back in NOV2003 doing my checkouts (did 4 years on Dallas) was in "Docs" space on the phone and ripped into an E-6 (NUC) for bothering me on the phone. He may have been an E-6 but he was a NUB.
Yup!
Okay you dink pukes... what and where is VOSA and who made it? :P
I was STS2SS on Daniel Webster Gold
what a waste of the taxpayer money!!!!!!!!!!!
what an ignorant post!!!!!!!!!!!
You're a fucking waste of sperm!