As a retired O5 US Army combat officer, I always praised my first cousin for stepping out of our family tradition and deciding to join the US Navy. The pride he had as an electrician on a Submarine was never diminished. Although he's passed away, I remember him telling me the friends he made while in training and on duty remained the rest of his life. I saw that when we buried him at the Veteran Cemetary in California. Thanks for this post - I will be sure to visit the museum. Hooah!
I was at BESS in Groton in 1988. I can hardly remember the base; didn't actually see much of it. Our instructor kept us hopping. He mandated 3 hours of study every night Mon-Thur, whether you wanted it or needed it. (He was profiled in a video that I think your wet trainer footage came out of...he was pretty freakin' intense...but nobody had a greater impact on me getting my crap together than that guy.) I got really good at managing my time. I graduated near the top of my class and that boost in confidence set me up for success in the rest of my life. Thanks for the video. Really took me back.
That's awesome man. There are nice leaders and there are good leaders; very important to find the latter and appreciate every lesson they have to offer.
@@markbilsborough4150 Hey Chief, yes, he was an A-ganger to the very core. I appreciated how he was a hardass with purpose...never petty. I left sub school a totally different sailor--confident, purposeful, efficient--and he gets all the credit for it.
As a civilian, I had the honor of taking the VIP tour of this base and visiting the Toledo. The Base Commander specifically scheduled our group to serve as a dry run, for in a couple of week's time, members of the Armed Service Committee as well as Michelle Obama were going to visit the base and the Toledo. I am impressed. Those who go to sea in submarines are just as special as Special Forces. Not many sailors have the right personality needed to thrive as a submariner. During our tour, in Groton, our driver pointed out a couple of civilian recruiters who were hanging around... at the time, Electric Boat was hiring, Duke Energy and the Tennessee Valley Authority were looking for nukes. I am frankly amazed how many enlisted sailors have multiple contracts under their belts (or really on their sleeves), for Uncle Sam doesn't pay as well as EB, the TVA or Duke Energy. It's the culture. We were told that the most common reason a submariner decides it's time not to wear Uncle Sam's uniform has to do with the spouse and kids (money, submariner needed at home). I wish more Americans knew how truly special those who go to sea in submarines are. I wish more Americans knew more about how important the Silent Service is when it comes to protecting American interests abroad. Go Navy, Beat Army!
I loved this video. As a young man I thought of joining the Navy to be a submariner. That's the place where I would have gone to. When I thought about it and realized you gents might go 3 months without seeing the sun, I came to my senses. Not everyone can be a submariner. Regardless of rank, you all have my deepest admiration and gratitude. Freedom is not free!
My father, USNA '54, was a submariner for 26 years. He loved it. We lived in CT three times, once when he was in sub school, then when he was a division commander, and finally as squadron 2 CO. The squadron had three divisions of 7 boats each, of which many were one of a kind boats, like Tullibee, NR1, Skipjack, etc.. The time frame was mid 70's to early 80's, so the Cold War was still going strong. I even worked at EB, Electric Boat, where General Dynamics built the Trident missile subs and the Los Angeles class fast attack boats. I was initially down in the 'ways'', working on the Ohio, SSBN 726, the first Trident boat. That was a hot, dirty and dangerous job. And low paying. Eventually, I made it down to the graving docks, where boats that had already been launched were finished in the water. A much cleaner, air conditioned environment. I did mostly sound dampening work there, installing fiberglass tiles, lead/fiberglass curtains and rubber/lead tiles to the hull, frames and anywhere where vibration and sound could be a problem. My dad was passed over for admiral and retired and started working in the nuclear power industry as a consultant and then finished his working career as the president of Power Management, which specialized in consulting for the three nuclear weapons labs at Los Alamos, New Mexico, Savanah River, Georgia and Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
I’m a former US Army Infantryman. I can’t imagine doing what y’all have done. Mad Respect. Don’t let it go to your head though. Because it’s always Go Army beat Navy!!!
@@peterarmstrong6108 spending 8 months out of the year in the field (the other four cleaning everything up) is no easy task either. I was a TOW Gunner in 58th infantry. I miss my friends, not the job lol.
Sub school sure has change in 50 years. No more open bay barracks. Lots of things to do on base. Beer vending machines. I had a great time and loved every min of it in 1974.
I went to "Rotten Groton" for my BESS, A, and C school as an A'Ganger after 911. Doesn't look like much has changed! Lots of memories... That slog up the stairs from the NEX to the barracks was no joke.
First of all thank you for your service. I really enjoyed your video and thankful for your time in making it. My son graduated from high school Saturday. With 3 years of JROTC under his belt he decided that he wanted to serve our nation as an SECF. He will be leaving for boot camp in two months. Thank you for the insight into what he will be doing there. Thank you to all have served and taken time to respond. I'm going to miss my son when he leaves. Its tough knowing he is going to be gone in 2 months. Drying the tears now. But I know he will be fine, knowing there are good men like you up there and seeing the comradery of the crew.
I got to Sub School the day after Thanksgiving 1964. None of these fancy schools and such or berthing. We lived in barracks, ate at a chow hall that is now gone and hung out at Dealy hall. We rode a Diesel sub for part of our training.Sub School started Jan 2, 1965.. My class started with 40 people but graduated 14 on Feb, 25, 1965.
Oh man this crazy, the "view of Rotten Groton"! That base has changed beyond belief. I spent time on the hill for Sonar training during off crew; I think it was building 429. Dang!
It wasn't until the end did I realize that the creator of this video is from the same SECF class as me going through sub school. Same rate, and we both ended up in Kings Bay. While this guy is very humble, he was the most jacked Korean I've ever seen. He comes from a family of extreme intelligence, a father who put Samsung on the map in the U.S. and worked with the inventor of Blu-ray. No coincidence he went from Jr. Enlisted to Warrant Officer! Stay strong Dokyun, and RIP John Davey.
Was in Sub School from February-June 1967 - 4 months. Hardly anything looks the same. The old escape tower with its "blow & go" ascents is gone - that was fun!
Seems you and I were in sub school at the exact same time, sailor. Halibut SSN-587, Cusk SS-348 (diesel boat!), & (infamous) Tautog SSN-639 duty thereafter.
@@nikoloscecere8277 Following sub school then Torpedoman "A" school in San Diego, served 3 yrs aboard USS Trutta SS 421 outta Key West ... Diesel Boats Forever!!!
I'm retired army and I served in the early nineties with two prior service Navy guys. Not many navy awards were authorized for wear on the Army uniform, but one of them was a wintered over Antarctica sailor who had a certain device he was allowed to wear, and another one was a Submariner. They both wore them with pride! I came across this video and had to watch it. Very informative.
Marine Corps and Army here, still interesting! I watch a lot of Navy videos. Maybe I spent 10 years in the wrong branches! I did get on ship twice in the Marines for a total of about 6 weeks altogether. I liked it. It was pretty chill for a Marine on a ship. All we did was stand a watch somewhere for 6 hours and then it was chill for the next 18. The first ship was a helicopter ship we were basically below deck for 3 weeks as they were always doing flight ops. Finally we got carried in by amp tracks and helicopters. The other ship I was on was a landing ship that carried trucks and tracked vehicles. Got to get on deck a lot more on that one. Got off that ship basically the same way as the last one. Each one of these exercises on the ships came with about 3 or 4 weeks of lead up training. If you know anything about the military, we were doing lead up training to the lead up training, LOL!!!
I was and HTC/CWO ⚒ on a tender (AS-18 Orion in La Maddalena) in 1992. Not enough room for me. Since I was NOT a bubble head, I was sub-human. You guys were different, and did the job. I know the Nuke mentality, I was also on a nuc-cruiser USS Texas (CGN 39). Great series on Smithsonian Channel called "Hell Below" about submarines in WW2. Great stuff.
Graduated Sub School and A Gang A school in 2005.. video was so cool. Turned 21 in Groton. Good times. I just went back up to Bangor for the first time in 16 years. Went to the Naval Undersea Museum. Met a volunteer who served on the USS Nautilus. Your video hit all the spots. ALL the nostalgia brother. Thanks for posting this!
OK, I'm a relic. I went through Sub School in Spring of 1971. The base looks more like a Country Club now than it did back then. I'm happy to see the focus on recreational activities for the sailors. Beats the hell out of getting DRUNK off base. 😁
You answered my unasked question. My oldest brother enlisted summer of 1971, went through sub school and became sailor aboard the USS Will Rogers. I was curious how much of this was there in the 1970s. I figured the commissary and px were newer but no clue on the barracks or classrooms.
I was there from October 2001 to July 2002 - BESS, Tactical Computer Network Operator (TCNO) school, ET “A” school, and Navigation Principles school. Also was there for shore duty at Naval Submarine Support Facility (NSSF) from October 2007 to December 2010 when I was honorably discharged. ETV2(SS) Scroggins
Thanks. My grandson is a currently serving submariner and my cousin served 50 years ago. I am proud of them. I liked the photos of your progress from E3 to O3. Well done.
Thank You to all that serve and have served. I was a long haul trucker and was always proud to do my humble part in support of all the Armed Forces. I hauled a couple of loads of batteries for Los Angeles class boats and a connex class room with new electronics directly to the piers at New London. I live near Pittsburgh. It was my luck that Pittsburgh was at the pier on one occasion, most everyone was already on shore. I got to meet one of the cooks. We chatted for a bit and he asked where I was from. We lived 12 miles from one another. Pittsburgh, Alexandria, and Memphis were there. Memphis was just arriving. All the piers were full, Memphis was not happy about having to tie up to Alexandria. Hauled steel in/out of Quonset Point. Subs are impressive in the water, and even more so to see one being welded together.
I was commissioned in June 1976, completed nuclear power school, and reported to the Submarine Officer Basic Course (SOBC) in the fall of 1977. (Went on to serve 21 years..) Thank you for making this video, especially actually walking the sidewalks. Much of the scenery remains unchanged, and seeing the base from that perspective brought back a lot of memories! Your explanations of training shows that the basics still haven’t changed!
1983 I enlisted in the Navy went to Damn Neck , Virginia for “A” school as an Operation Specialist “Radar Operator”. Landed on the USS CAPODANNO FF-1093. Thanks for the memories. Oh yea I’m a 36 year Design Tech at Electric Boat, down the river from the Base. Thanks for the video, and thank you very much for your service.
The rock lake reference and alcohol seemed funny to me.. when I went to sub school (1979) we had beer machines in he barracks. Came in handy during winter in CT
I had 2 uncles in the boats- SCPO David Swisher and SCPO Ron Swisher. Don't know anything about their careers, only that uncle Ron finished his at Groton. Thank you all for your service. You are appreciated.
Awesome video! I went to BESS in the winter of 88, then back to C-School in the summer of 91 and off to the fun world of SSN's (Saturdays, Sundays and NIGHTS, lol), so I got to enjoy all of those spots! Great memories, that gym had almost no equipment at all, other than jump ropes and a couple of tires to flip around. Those STAIRS! Man, in the winter they were covered in ice, guys were falling down all the time, it was hilarious. I remember my C school being really tougher than I imagined, I thought coming back from the fleet that I would have an edge, but I had to study like crazy, and weekly tests or see ya later gator. Brutal, but good.
Great video! I served all four years of my enlistment on two different Submarine Tenders in the late 70's and early 80's (minus basic, A school and C school). Without question, the most impactful experience of my life and fondest of memories. I always had respect for those who served on the Submarines we serviced. God bless our troops today and may God bless America.
Thanks for the memories. I went through in 1983. Served from 1983 -2003 - Retired. all in the Sub community, SSBN 644B, SUBGRU-8 Naples Italy, SSN 646, TRITRAFAC Bangor WA., ANAV SSN 701, Hard times, Good times, Fun times, but never boring. I will always be proud that I served in the Submarine Service. I teach NJROTC now and always sharing the bubble head stories. Some cadets have gone into the Submarine service and I give them a pair of my Dolphins that I wear now on my uniform. I am always proud to take them off and present them to the cadet at our awards ceremony if I know they have a signed contract for Navy and Submarine Force , and I make sure I tell them do not wear them until you have rightfully earned them. Again, Thanks for sharing and the memories. Dive! Dive! All vents open.
WOW great video brother definitely a trip down memory lane, I remember the guys meeting up at the pup for beers after an underway drinking beers and eating 10cent wings
Thanks for the tour! I went through sub school there in the late 80's and was stationed onboard the Grant out of Squadron 14 for several years after that. Of all the changes since then, I think the one that surprised me most is that North Lake is open to enlisted sailors now (if I understood correctly). When I was in North Lake was for the O-gangers and Rock Lake was for the Enlisted.
I grew up there in Norwich. Several of our friends were submariners...one was a plank holder on the Nautilus. Used to love seeing the subs surface and dive from Eastern Point.
I was born there over 70 years ago and lived there a few years after I got out of the Navy. I wasn’t stationed in Groton. My brother and brother in law were stationed there.
Wow. This brings back some memories. Did BESS, RM A and SETTS back in '87-88. Wasn't much to do on base then but get drunk, so its nice to see there are more rec options for the noobs. Loved me those Cross Hall omlettes back in my day. That galley was top notch even back then. Cool video, brother. Keep up the good work.
I graduated last class of 1970, big changes from my school. Groton was home port for my boat George C Marshall, the base has changed so much. We called the Nautilus building 571, at that point it was waiting for retirement. So many nice things to do on base for liberty. There was a nursing school in Middletown that drew our attention.
My daughter just arrived there this last weekend. Not at all what I expected it to look like, very scenic. The video was well done and informative. Thank you.
I remember the night I arrived to New London Submarine Base for BESS, and "A" school. Arrived back in January 2016 and left November the same year to my first boat the SSBN-733 USS Nevada. Fond memories, especially when navy medical almost killed me with the wrong prescription.
I almost signed up in 1967. I assume this is where I would’ve had my training. I regret to this day not signing. Thank you for sharing! Go Navy. Bless our Vets 🇺🇸🇺🇸
I was there in 98. I remember sliding down the railing of that giant staircase that went down to the NEX only to find a base police car waiting for me at the bottom. He explained the base CO observed me start my decent from his office overlooking the base, he radioed the base police and ordered me to go back to the top and descend the stairs in a “military fashion”. I thought my method provided a much more efficient way to complete the same task and upheld with the spirit of effectiveness that my training provided.
My father in law did his sub school there in WW2. He served on the Barb with Admiral Flucky on the 10th-12th war patrols. The subject of the book "Thunder Below" mandatory reading for all submariners at Annapolis. I was fortunate enough to meet Adam Flucky there at the last boat reunion my father in-law attended. Oh, BTW, he met my mother in-law at the sub base in New London also. She was a secretary for the base commander. She later was a secretary in the Whitehouse for Harry Trumans Secretary of State. Both retired from Federal service. My wife is a 40 year federal service person herself.
The base is almost unrecognizable since my days in '67. A memory: going down the hill to class every day we had to pass the brig. The base looks more like a vacation destination nowadays.
Enjoyable and informative. Went to sub school in 68/69. After A school at Great Lakes and C School in Key West (thank God). One thing I did not see covered here is an Enlisted Men's Club. When I was there (including home port for my boat) the EM Club had Go Go dancers during the lunch hours. Bet that doesn't happen now.
I went to sub school in 76'-77' then on down to Dam Neck for Electronics A School and MT C school....back to Groton at the end of 77' for duty on the Will Rogers Gold crew. Looks like a lot has changed. the escape trainer is smaller and the barracks and training buildings are much new or renovated. I loved to tinker on cars, and always liked spending time at the Hobby Shop garage. My last few months in the Navy in 82' were spent as the Sr. PO running the Correctional Custody Unit (CCU) as I was awaiting Separations. That perimeter road was largely built by the CCU inmates. We'd take them out every day and work the crap out of them cutting trees and clearing brush. Fun times. 🙂
I've worked with a few guys who were subarieners (I'm former Army). They all loved it and said they wouldn't have traded the experience for anything. More power to them. I can't even be in a boat without a life jacket as I am afraid of the water...no way would I want to be below the water!!! My respect for these special Sailors!
If it weren’t for the US Navy Submariners, the world would be a very different place. One of the most lethal platforms protecting our interests. My opinion. Mare Island down the street. Thank you Deep Warriors!
I was 4 years old in about 1973 and my dad went here to get sub qualified. He was a corpsman. I remember we lived in a nearby apartment with my dad and mom. Maybe I was too young, but don’t remember if my father had to stay in the barracks.
Went to BESS in 1980, and we were in open barracks until my C school, which was also in Groton. I remember the chow hall being deserted for a week after payday and then packed after everyone had run through their money until the next 1st of the month😆 I was junior enlisted, a Chief, then commissioned like you were and enjoyed every unique part of my career for a lot of different reasons. Great video👍
BZ! Well done video, and illustrating for me the changes at the base since I got out more than half a century ago. I was a nuke ET and all ETs in my time went to either San Francisco or Great Lakes for their A school. My nuke school was in Bainbridge Maryland and my nuke power site was in a fenced compound near tobacco fields in Windsor Connecticut. Physical training was not a thing when I was in, and in six years I may have run a total of a mile and a half, mostly in boot camp in San Diego. I never saw the inside of a gymnasium anywhere during my hitch. Cigarettes were 25 cents a pack and 17 cents a pack at sea. Our wet trainer was a WW2-era control room...with plenty of water and the conventional DC kit equipment of the era. The sub base appears to have been almost completely rebuilt since my time, as none of it was familiar to me, in this great video. The escape trainer was the old 110 foot tower, but it was OOC, account of a fire a short time before I got there. We all did go through a pressure tank, pressurized to approximately 100 foot depth, about 50 pounds. Great way to test your equalization ability and your ability to stay calm in an extremely noisy and pulse-raising environment -sweating profusely as the pressure is raised, and the watching frost form on the viewing ports as the pressure was vented off and the goosebumps raised on your skin. All computers were analog and single-purpose design...even in the nuke plants. All electronics were high-density discrete component design. NR-1 was rumored of and unseen and the X-1 was still in use and we never saw it or even heard of it. My qual boat was the Lafayette, SSBN 616 Blue and I was a Plankowner on the Billfish SSN 676. I left the subs in December of '71 but they have always been with me...mostly good. Some habits have stayed with me. If you are "on time" you are late. I'm regularly checking tank levels and battery conditions in my camper, and I never let the fuel level go below half in any vehicles I have ever run or owned.
That's awesome. It will be an experience of a lifetime. It ain't always pretty/easy, but having a good attitude will get you through everything. Best of luck.
I went through Rotten Groton in 1988. I remember running those hills while working out, and early morning PT with our Seal Instructor Petty Officer Sealy. Great memories! Thanks for this video!
I did too, I think I had Sealy, I know I always had EXTRA PT, lol. So grateful for that place, not many of us can say we did that, went to the fleet, earned our dolphins and went on adventures. Like a lot of the cool stuff I dreamt about as a kid, I really got to do that stuff. Wouldn't trade a second of it for the world.
Recruiting duty and surgery... really got the short end of the stick there. I did recruiting in Alabama. Great experience that I never want to do again🍻
I've lived in New London since 1997 and gotten to know a great many submariners. Your pride is well and truly earned. Thank you for your service and for this glimpse into the start of it.
None of the buildings in this video were there when I went to sub school except the wet trainer. I did my escape training in the old escape tower that was on lower base and we lived in open bay barracks until we went to C school.
Sub school in 74, then stay there with orders to Pulaski Blue. In 78, back to sub school as an instructor. Taught sailors from the Imperial Iranian Navy communications and diesel boat theory on lower base. Returned there in 84 on a sub to bring midshipmen out to sea for a few days. That was a long two weeks.
Great video! My time in the Navy was back in the 80's and it was all Surface Fleet so I never served in subs. This video made me rethink my entire career.
Went through there in 1980. I get sad now when I visit bases because they are in such disrepair. Roads are all full of cracks and sidewalks cracked and crumbling. It also looks like a ghost town compared to when I went there. It was hopping while I was there as a student and later when I came back as an instructor in the Advanced Engineering Training Department.
I don't remember it well but it was ~ 55 years ago. After sub school I went to emergency welding school there as well. Then I went to Kittery Maine where the Andrew Jackson SSBN 619 was being overhauled and refueled. The research sub NR-1 was in drydock with us in Kittery. It looked tiny compared to us. The video shows just the sail area. I wonder if the hull was removed. I remember touring inside when it was in drydock. It was cramped. The Andrew Jackson was scrapped decades ago. Time flies. It seems to amaze people when I tell them that I served on a sub. One of those military options you're given that once made, cannot be unmade. Would I do it again if I knew then what I know now? No. But then I would have done a lot of things differently. But as I've learned over time, the past is history, the future's a mystery, all we have is today. I have accepted all that and am grateful for what I have including feeling good about serving our country in a positive and meaningful way. I know that we as a nation and as individuals would be better off if more people contributed to our well being. I'm not a big JFK fan but his famous challenge "ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country". To me it's disappointing and a bit freighting how many people would reverse that today.
"Perimeter road - where out of shape sailors go to die." Very well said! I still remember a senior chief on my first boat putting me in my place by offering to go running with me at lunch one day!
Thank you for the tour, it has changed drastically sinci I was there in 1959 but I still maintain a relationship with my fellow submariners in the USSVI Illinois Base serving Northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin, I was priviliged to have the opportunity to start this base in Beloit,Wisconsin 7 years ago and have served as Base Commander and also as District Commander for awhile and still attend meetings. Once a submariner always a submariner!
Was stationed at NSSF(Naval Submarine Support Facility) AKA: NIGHTS SATSUN FRI. Boats pulled in Fri, left on Monday. Hence the acronym. Was there from 80-83. Met the love of my life. 40+ years now.
Wow so much has changed since i was there in the 80's. I lived in 488 and i was tdy at the time and chowing down in Cross Hall when the Challenger blew up. I ate and ran back up to 488 to see the news on the old style big screen TV we had there. To commissary wasn't around back then and I don't recall an escalator in the NX. There was a package store next to the NX. They did a bang up business. I seem to recall there were 2 bowling alleys. One was on the main street near the gate and the other was up on a hill by the EM club.
Never served but I have great respect for those who did. Really good video. I spent the entire time wondering about all the young men who've passed through those schools, being far away from home and turning into men. ✌️
Not only far away from home but submerged for (3) months at a time takes very special person that can do that they are called “Bubble Heads” for a reason 😎
Retired E9 Corpsman here, went there in the early 80's. They've done a LOT of changes here. Was stationed SUBGRU2 until 1985. There was talk of bringing the Nautilus to Groton. Rotten Groton, yup. It was cold as hell I the Winter and hot as blazes in the summer. Thanks for sharing.
In 1969-70 nucs had to attend sub school after competing prototype training in Idaho. There were no mandatory hours for nucs, in fact in my class no nuc failed out. We had regular WWII era barracks with at least 50-60 guys in double bunks. Looking at the pictures I don’t recognize much of anything except the river. I was an E-4 IC so I only supervised barracks cleaning and every 4th night had to stand watch in the sub school training building, requiring me to make 2 tours around the hallways. The school days were basically lectures by E-6/7 instructors. That was about 3 hrs each day, then we watched lots of “Silent Service” movies(yes 16mm movies, not DVDs nor VHs). Every third weekend you had duty, other weekends were liberty. Never felt stressed. Eventually nucs were not required to go to sub school since the shortage of nucs made Father Rickover obtain dispensations for nucs. Graduated in April 1970, drove 10 minutes to EB to new construction on the SSN-676
Like you Bob, I went to Sub School in Dec 72-Mar 73, old WWII Barracks of 50-60 guys with double bunks. BE/E School, then IC A School, then Sub School, then First Boat SSN-662. Yep, the Sturgeon Class was the best. I too, was an IC Man albeit a forward one. Still Engineering Department, though.
I enjoyed the video. I was stationed at NSSF New London, Groton, CT from 1987-90. Things have definitely changed and yes i feel old! The old 40 ft diving tower was still there. No museum and the Exchange looks li,e something from the future. Rock Lake was the Officers Lake. I was a TM2 by the time I left there. And yes, i swam in that lake one friday night as an E-4, lol. I went to Submarine Torpedo Tube School. The Only Female in the class. It was a 2 week school back then. Had a lot of fun. Was away from the Dept i worked at. Thanks for the Video. Enjoyed looking at the Marina and the Nautilus. Their the only two places that haven't changed. Except the golf course. ✝️🙏❤🇺🇸
I was a US Navy A-6 Intruder plane captain stationed at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia Beach, Va. in squadron VA-42. My service time was from Oct. 18, 1971 to Aug. 15, 1975. I was on 3 aircraft carriers for pilot carrier qualification landings & takeoffs. They had to do so many day & night catapult shots & traps (hook the cable) landings. Also went on bombing detachments to NAAS Fallon, Nevada and USMAS Yuma, Az. several times. My rate was Aviation Machinist Mate (jet engine mech.) I didn’t work in my rate though. I became a plane captain, which meant I inspected, fueled, oiled and washed our squadrons aircraft. Also walked around the aircraft with the pilot while he did his preflight inspection. Then helped him strap his seatbelts on him in the cockpit. Did the preflight start up and went through the function test of the flaps, slats, ailerons, rudder and lights on to make curtain every was AOK.Then hand signaled him to taxi to the runway and fly. I became a petty officer 1 year and 7 months after my first day of bootcamp at NRTC, San Diego, Ca. I exited bootcamp as an airman apprentice E-2 pay grade. I received an early out to go to vocational school for carpentry. I’m from Minnesota and have lived here all but my navy time. I didn’t try to make 2nd class petty officer because I didn’t want those 8 hour desk watches. I enjoyed your video on the submarine school base in Ct. It’s nice to learn things about the other parts of the US Navy. Thank you for your time and service to the US of America. ADJ3 Dennis P. Hayes Aug. 22, 2024
I lived in Groton from 1960 to 62, my dad was in the Coast Guard and he played at the golf course many times with me as caddy! Thanks for the memories!
Nicely done video. Thank you for sharing. I was there Feb 63-Apr 63. The only things I remember as before were the theatre, the exterior displays of the mini sub and torpedo. I served on the USS Entemedor SS340, New London and the USS Plunger SSN 595, Hawaii as an MM2SS. I did a tour of the Nautilus while she was operating out of New London. I would love to do a tour of the Nautilus now as both the Entemedor and Plunger have been scrapped. Again, Thank you.
Well put. I'd have to say that I "grew up" in the submarine force. It wasn't always fun but, I wouldn't trade all those years for ANYTHING!! How I miss it.
I went to subschool here in 1981. Though originally from Maine, I lived in Newfoundland from 1973 - 1979, as a landed immigrant, mostly in Marystown. Since my mother (from Petite Forte) never did become a U.S. citizen, Canada’s Harper government conferred the status of Canadian citizenship onto the children of Canadian citizens, born abroad. So now I have dual citizenship. All the best!
Thank you for the unexpected and great trip down memory lane. BESS in 1998, STS-A School 1998-1999, and on the waterfront USS Albuquerque (SSN-706) until 2001 when we went to Portsmouth for overhaul (I continued in my career until 2009). Some things are new, but so many are the same. Again, thank you.
I do not know if the base looked like that when my late husband was there from 1963 to 1966. He wanted to be a dentist but got sub school. I remember him talking about going up a tub full of water and if you did not breath there was someone to make you breath. He was on the USS Tigrone and very proud of his time on the boat. Listening to this helps me to understand why he did not write me more often. He said he had lots of studying to do. He always seemed to be a little drunk when he called while on liberty. He gave me a small set of Dolphins to wear on my sweater when I went to school. Someone broke into our house and took a little box. I held his dolphins and mine and his dog tags as well as the ring that I went steady with him and I still have not been able to find a small find a set of little dolphins that I can wear. He was planning to go to a reunion of his shipmates.But two months before we could go he passed away. I asked some of the men that knew him to send me at least a story and they took the time to do that. A few of them told me the same story about how when he was carrying the trash cans in each hand to dispose of the garbage he fell off the in the middle of winner with the trash cans.They didn't know how he got back up out of the water and that his peacock was still dry when he took it off on the inside. The Cantin told him he had to pay for those two cans. After the captain left he had a few choice words to say. I know he said a few times he didn't have any stamps to write back to me and that he was broke as usual a lot from playing poker I,m sure. I would send him a book of stamps just so I could hear from him. He talked about beautiful the Bahamas and the Islands were that they cruised to and after a few years and the kids were grown.He took me on two cruises so I could see the beautiful blue water and go on the islands. The thrill was one night when we were standing on deck he saw a submarine coming in to that island and I think that was the highlight of his cruise is to see another sub.We had planned when he retired to go over to the east coast and he wanted to hang out in some of the places that he used to go to. I'm sure we would a went to the base so he could look back and then point out what it was he was doing while while away from me. The boat was in dry dock in Philadelphia and I asked him if he saw the liberty bell or Independence Hall and his reply was , "No but I knew where Mulligan bar was." I took a trip with my granddaughter to Washington.DC and then to Philadelphia and I stood where the liberty bell was and I looked up to heaven and I said," Dean this is what you were supposed to see."
I went to Sub School from June through August of 64. They taught 585 (Skipjack) class. We did escape tank, buoyant ascent training. I was assigned to Carbonero SS-337 in PH.
@@atassaro I was taught Skipjack also, Jan-Feb '65. Went to new construction at EB and comm'd Flasher SSN 613. We went to Pearl and use to see the "Carbon Burner" light off many times! I finally got to ride a Diesel in '69. Cusk SS 348 at Ballast Point just before her decomm.
As a retired O5 US Army combat officer, I always praised my first cousin for stepping out of our family tradition and deciding to join the US Navy. The pride he had as an electrician on a Submarine was never diminished. Although he's passed away, I remember him telling me the friends he made while in training and on duty remained the rest of his life. I saw that when we buried him at the Veteran Cemetary in California. Thanks for this post - I will be sure to visit the museum. Hooah!
I was at BESS in Groton in 1988. I can hardly remember the base; didn't actually see much of it. Our instructor kept us hopping. He mandated 3 hours of study every night Mon-Thur, whether you wanted it or needed it. (He was profiled in a video that I think your wet trainer footage came out of...he was pretty freakin' intense...but nobody had a greater impact on me getting my crap together than that guy.) I got really good at managing my time. I graduated near the top of my class and that boost in confidence set me up for success in the rest of my life. Thanks for the video. Really took me back.
I was there in 1990 and I hand mandatory study. Saved my butt.
That's awesome man. There are nice leaders and there are good leaders; very important to find the latter and appreciate every lesson they have to offer.
Was he an MM1/SS SWALLOW. A Aganger. He was a hardass. Great bunch there at that time. I taught there in the mid to late 80's. MMC/SS. BILSBOROUGH.
@@markbilsborough4150 Hey Chief, yes, he was an A-ganger to the very core. I appreciated how he was a hardass with purpose...never petty. I left sub school a totally different sailor--confident, purposeful, efficient--and he gets all the credit for it.
It’s really encouraging to see what a mentor can do and what a difference they can make on a young person’s life.
As a civilian, I had the honor of taking the VIP tour of this base and visiting the Toledo. The Base Commander specifically scheduled our group to serve as a dry run, for in a couple of week's time, members of the Armed Service Committee as well as Michelle Obama were going to visit the base and the Toledo. I am impressed. Those who go to sea in submarines are just as special as Special Forces. Not many sailors have the right personality needed to thrive as a submariner. During our tour, in Groton, our driver pointed out a couple of civilian recruiters who were hanging around... at the time, Electric Boat was hiring, Duke Energy and the Tennessee Valley Authority were looking for nukes. I am frankly amazed how many enlisted sailors have multiple contracts under their belts (or really on their sleeves), for Uncle Sam doesn't pay as well as EB, the TVA or Duke Energy. It's the culture. We were told that the most common reason a submariner decides it's time not to wear Uncle Sam's uniform has to do with the spouse and kids (money, submariner needed at home).
I wish more Americans knew how truly special those who go to sea in submarines are. I wish more Americans knew more about how important the Silent Service is when it comes to protecting American interests abroad.
Go Navy, Beat Army!
I loved this video. As a young man I thought of joining the Navy to be a submariner. That's the place where I would have gone to. When I thought about it and realized you gents might go 3 months without seeing the sun, I came to my senses. Not everyone can be a submariner. Regardless of rank, you all have my deepest admiration and gratitude. Freedom is not free!
My father, USNA '54, was a submariner for 26 years. He loved it. We lived in CT three times, once when he was in sub school, then when he was a division commander, and finally as squadron 2 CO. The squadron had three divisions of 7 boats each, of which many were one of a kind boats, like Tullibee, NR1, Skipjack, etc.. The time frame was mid 70's to early 80's, so the Cold War was still going strong. I even worked at EB, Electric Boat, where General Dynamics built the Trident missile subs and the Los Angeles class fast attack boats. I was initially down in the 'ways'', working on the Ohio, SSBN 726, the first Trident boat. That was a hot, dirty and dangerous job. And low paying. Eventually, I made it down to the graving docks, where boats that had already been launched were finished in the water. A much cleaner, air conditioned environment. I did mostly sound dampening work there, installing fiberglass tiles, lead/fiberglass curtains and rubber/lead tiles to the hull, frames and anywhere where vibration and sound could be a problem. My dad was passed over for admiral and retired and started working in the nuclear power industry as a consultant and then finished his working career as the president of Power Management, which specialized in consulting for the three nuclear weapons labs at Los Alamos, New Mexico, Savanah River, Georgia and Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
I’m a former US Army Infantryman. I can’t imagine doing what y’all have done. Mad Respect. Don’t let it go to your head though. Because it’s always Go Army beat Navy!!!
@@peterarmstrong6108 spending 8 months out of the year in the field (the other four cleaning everything up) is no easy task either. I was a TOW Gunner in 58th infantry. I miss my friends, not the job lol.
Air Force guy here who absolutely loved this video!! Great job
Sub school sure has change in 50 years. No more open bay barracks. Lots of things to do on base. Beer vending machines. I had a great time and loved every min of it in 1974.
Right on brotha🍻
I went to "Rotten Groton" for my BESS, A, and C school as an A'Ganger after 911. Doesn't look like much has changed! Lots of memories... That slog up the stairs from the NEX to the barracks was no joke.
I bet the same Grotopotomus is still making her rounds too!😂
Probably! lol@@degenerateWA
First of all thank you for your service. I really enjoyed your video and thankful for your time in making it. My son graduated from high school Saturday. With 3 years of JROTC under his belt he decided that he wanted to serve our nation as an SECF. He will be leaving for boot camp in two months. Thank you for the insight into what he will be doing there. Thank you to all have served and taken time to respond. I'm going to miss my son when he leaves. Its tough knowing he is going to be gone in 2 months. Drying the tears now. But I know he will be fine, knowing there are good men like you up there and seeing the comradery of the crew.
M from Canada and a retired army reservist and want to say Tysvm on ur military service. God bless u and ur famiky
I got to Sub School the day after Thanksgiving 1964. None of these fancy schools and such or berthing. We lived in barracks, ate at a chow hall that is now gone and hung out at Dealy hall. We rode a Diesel sub for part of our training.Sub School started Jan 2, 1965.. My class started with 40 people but graduated 14 on Feb, 25, 1965.
Oh man this crazy, the "view of Rotten Groton"! That base has changed beyond belief. I spent time on the hill for Sonar training during off crew; I think it was building 429. Dang!
It wasn't until the end did I realize that the creator of this video is from the same SECF class as me going through sub school. Same rate, and we both ended up in Kings Bay. While this guy is very humble, he was the most jacked Korean I've ever seen. He comes from a family of extreme intelligence, a father who put Samsung on the map in the U.S. and worked with the inventor of Blu-ray. No coincidence he went from Jr. Enlisted to Warrant Officer! Stay strong Dokyun, and RIP John Davey.
You got me hype to go, I go to basic in 10 days, i signed up as a mms and im right out of highschool
Really, really well-done, Shipmate! I attended SOBC in 1978 and embarked on a 30 year career. You captured the ultimate essence of SUBASE! Thank you.
Was in Sub School from February-June 1967 - 4 months. Hardly anything looks the same. The old escape tower with its "blow & go" ascents is gone - that was fun!
Seems you and I were in sub school at the exact same time, sailor. Halibut SSN-587, Cusk SS-348 (diesel boat!), & (infamous) Tautog SSN-639 duty thereafter.
@@nikoloscecere8277 Following sub school then Torpedoman "A" school in San Diego, served 3 yrs aboard USS Trutta SS 421 outta Key West ... Diesel Boats Forever!!!
I'm retired army and I served in the early nineties with two prior service Navy guys. Not many navy awards were authorized for wear on the Army uniform, but one of them was a wintered over Antarctica sailor who had a certain device he was allowed to wear, and another one was a Submariner. They both wore them with pride! I came across this video and had to watch it. Very informative.
Marine Corps and Army here, still interesting! I watch a lot of Navy videos. Maybe I spent 10 years in the wrong branches! I did get on ship twice in the Marines for a total of about 6 weeks altogether. I liked it. It was pretty chill for a Marine on a ship. All we did was stand a watch somewhere for 6 hours and then it was chill for the next 18.
The first ship was a helicopter ship we were basically below deck for 3 weeks as they were always doing flight ops. Finally we got carried in by amp tracks and helicopters. The other ship I was on was a landing ship that carried trucks and tracked vehicles. Got to get on deck a lot more on that one. Got off that ship basically the same way as the last one.
Each one of these exercises on the ships came with about 3 or 4 weeks of lead up training. If you know anything about the military, we were doing lead up training to the lead up training, LOL!!!
I was and HTC/CWO ⚒ on a tender (AS-18 Orion in La Maddalena) in 1992. Not enough room for me. Since I was NOT a bubble head, I was sub-human. You guys were different, and did the job. I know the Nuke mentality, I was also on a nuc-cruiser USS Texas (CGN 39). Great series on Smithsonian Channel called "Hell Below" about submarines in WW2. Great stuff.
My sponsor through Chief season was a HTC. Solid dude, much respect🍻
Graduated Sub School and A Gang A school in 2005.. video was so cool. Turned 21 in Groton. Good times. I just went back up to Bangor for the first time in 16 years. Went to the Naval Undersea Museum. Met a volunteer who served on the USS Nautilus. Your video hit all the spots. ALL the nostalgia brother. Thanks for posting this!
I was in A school here in 05
OK, I'm a relic. I went through Sub School in Spring of 1971. The base looks more like a Country Club now than it did back then. I'm happy to see the focus on recreational activities for the sailors. Beats the hell out of getting DRUNK off base. 😁
You answered my unasked question. My oldest brother enlisted summer of 1971, went through sub school and became sailor aboard the USS Will Rogers. I was curious how much of this was there in the 1970s. I figured the commissary and px were newer but no clue on the barracks or classrooms.
Sure looks a lot different when I was there in 1973! After I graduated, I was assigned to the Robert E Lee SSBN 601G, 2 hrs later.
I was there from October 2001 to July 2002 - BESS, Tactical Computer Network Operator (TCNO) school, ET “A” school, and Navigation Principles school. Also was there for shore duty at Naval Submarine Support Facility (NSSF) from October 2007 to December 2010 when I was honorably discharged.
ETV2(SS) Scroggins
Thanks. My grandson is a currently serving submariner and my cousin served 50 years ago. I am proud of them. I liked the photos of your progress from E3 to O3. Well done.
Thank You to all that serve and have served.
I was a long haul trucker and was always proud to do my humble part in support of all the Armed Forces. I hauled a couple of loads of batteries for Los Angeles class boats and a connex class room with new electronics directly to the piers at New London.
I live near Pittsburgh. It was my luck that Pittsburgh was at the pier on one occasion, most everyone was already on shore. I got to meet one of the cooks. We chatted for a bit and he asked where I was from. We lived 12 miles from one another.
Pittsburgh, Alexandria, and Memphis were there. Memphis was just arriving. All the piers were full, Memphis was not happy about having to tie up to Alexandria.
Hauled steel in/out of Quonset Point. Subs are impressive in the water, and even more so to see one being welded together.
I was commissioned in June 1976, completed nuclear power school, and reported to the Submarine Officer Basic Course (SOBC) in the fall of 1977. (Went on to serve 21 years..) Thank you for making this video, especially actually walking the sidewalks. Much of the scenery remains unchanged, and seeing the base from that perspective brought back a lot of memories! Your explanations of training shows that the basics still haven’t changed!
1983 I enlisted in the Navy went to Damn Neck , Virginia for “A” school as an Operation Specialist “Radar Operator”. Landed on the USS CAPODANNO FF-1093. Thanks for the memories. Oh yea I’m a 36 year Design Tech at Electric Boat, down the river from the Base. Thanks for the video, and thank you very much for your service.
The rock lake reference and alcohol seemed funny to me.. when I went to sub school (1979) we had beer machines in he barracks. Came in handy during winter in CT
I had 2 uncles in the boats- SCPO David Swisher and SCPO Ron Swisher. Don't know anything about their careers, only that uncle Ron finished his at Groton. Thank you all for your service. You are appreciated.
My Grandfather served on 3 boats during WW2. 2 S boats and Tarpon SS175.
thank you. I grew up in Gales Ferry. Father retired navy. You guys were real heroes
Awesome video! I went to BESS in the winter of 88, then back to C-School in the summer of 91 and off to the fun world of SSN's (Saturdays, Sundays and NIGHTS, lol), so I got to enjoy all of those spots! Great memories, that gym had almost no equipment at all, other than jump ropes and a couple of tires to flip around. Those STAIRS! Man, in the winter they were covered in ice, guys were falling down all the time, it was hilarious. I remember my C school being really tougher than I imagined, I thought coming back from the fleet that I would have an edge, but I had to study like crazy, and weekly tests or see ya later gator. Brutal, but good.
Great video! I served all four years of my enlistment on two different Submarine Tenders in the late 70's and early 80's (minus basic, A school and C school). Without question, the most impactful experience of my life and fondest of memories. I always had respect for those who served on the Submarines we serviced. God bless our troops today and may God bless America.
My grandfather was there as a LTJG in 1936. He went on to command two submarines during WW2.
Submariner ww2 , high pucker factor GOD BLESS your grandfather
Do you know the names of the subs, by chance?
@@marstuv5068 S-41 and Barbero SS-317. He was awarded the Navy Cross on S-41.
Thanks for the memories. I went through in 1983. Served from 1983 -2003 - Retired. all in the Sub community, SSBN 644B, SUBGRU-8 Naples Italy, SSN 646, TRITRAFAC Bangor WA., ANAV SSN 701, Hard times, Good times, Fun times, but never boring. I will always be proud that I served in the Submarine Service. I teach NJROTC now and always sharing the bubble head stories. Some cadets have gone into the Submarine service and I give them a pair of my Dolphins that I wear now on my uniform. I am always proud to take them off and present them to the cadet at our awards ceremony if I know they have a signed contract for Navy and Submarine Force , and I make sure I tell them do not wear them until you have rightfully earned them. Again, Thanks for sharing and the memories. Dive! Dive! All vents open.
WOW great video brother definitely a trip down memory lane, I remember the guys meeting up at the pup for beers after an underway drinking beers and eating 10cent wings
Damn, 10 cent wings... I was there when they were 25 cent wings. Wonder what they are now🤣
@@TheDegenerateTraveler-ru9nl you might be right lol I was always drinking beers to remember
Thanks for the tour! I went through sub school there in the late 80's and was stationed onboard the Grant out of Squadron 14 for several years after that. Of all the changes since then, I think the one that surprised me most is that North Lake is open to enlisted sailors now (if I understood correctly). When I was in North Lake was for the O-gangers and Rock Lake was for the Enlisted.
I grew up there in Norwich. Several of our friends were submariners...one was a plank holder on the Nautilus. Used to love seeing the subs surface and dive from Eastern Point.
I was born there over 70 years ago and lived there a few years after I got out of the Navy. I wasn’t stationed in Groton. My brother and brother in law were stationed there.
@@Chris_at_Home I was born at WW Backus in 1947
My younger brother was born there in 1955 while Dad was attending Officer's Sub School. Dad would later Command the USS Atule,SS 403
Wow. This brings back some memories. Did BESS, RM A and SETTS back in '87-88. Wasn't much to do on base then but get drunk, so its nice to see there are more rec options for the noobs.
Loved me those Cross Hall omlettes back in my day. That galley was top notch even back then.
Cool video, brother. Keep up the good work.
Much appreciated brotha🍻
Best meals I ever had on any military base.
Thanks for the trip down memory lane. I attended BESS in 1987. Thank you for your service.
I graduated last class of 1970, big changes from my school. Groton was home port for my boat George C Marshall, the base has changed so much. We called the Nautilus building 571, at that point it was waiting for retirement. So many nice things to do on base for liberty. There was a nursing school in Middletown that drew our attention.
I bet!! 😅😅
I love the “Old Time” music. It makes the video special.
My daughter just arrived there this last weekend. Not at all what I expected it to look like, very scenic. The video was well done and informative.
Thank you.
Excellent. Im glad I was able to provide you with some insight to her life right now.
I reenlisted on the USS Nautilus when I was stationed in Groton.
Was in school in '63. What a change!
I remember the night I arrived to New London Submarine Base for BESS, and "A" school. Arrived back in January 2016 and left November the same year to my first boat the SSBN-733 USS Nevada. Fond memories, especially when navy medical almost killed me with the wrong prescription.
Gotta love Navy healthcare. Just make sure it's on your record for your VA claim😎
I almost signed up in 1967. I assume this is where I would’ve had my training. I regret to this day not signing. Thank you for sharing! Go Navy. Bless our Vets 🇺🇸🇺🇸
I was there in 98. I remember sliding down the railing of that giant staircase that went down to the NEX only to find a base police car waiting for me at the bottom. He explained the base CO observed me start my decent from his office overlooking the base, he radioed the base police and ordered me to go back to the top and descend the stairs in a “military fashion”.
I thought my method provided a much more efficient way to complete the same task and upheld with the spirit of effectiveness that my training provided.
"A" for initiative!
My father in law did his sub school there in WW2.
He served on the Barb with Admiral Flucky on the 10th-12th war patrols.
The subject of the book "Thunder Below" mandatory reading for all submariners at Annapolis.
I was fortunate enough to meet Adam Flucky there at the last boat reunion my father in-law attended. Oh, BTW, he met my mother in-law at the sub base in New London also. She was a secretary for the base commander. She later was a secretary in the Whitehouse for Harry Trumans Secretary of State. Both retired from Federal service. My wife is a 40 year federal service person herself.
Respect ❤
The base is almost unrecognizable since my days in '67. A memory: going down the hill to class every day we had to pass the brig. The base looks more like a vacation destination nowadays.
Enjoyable and informative. Went to sub school in 68/69. After A school at Great Lakes and C School in Key West (thank God). One thing I did not see covered here is an Enlisted Men's Club. When I was there (including home port for my boat) the EM Club had Go Go dancers during the lunch hours. Bet that doesn't happen now.
I remember those days, San Diego EM and CPO had topless after dark. The old days are gone! ✌🧞♀
Ha Ha, and the hydraulic lunches. :-)
Hell yea! They were still there in the 80's. We had mandatory liquid lunches with our instructors. Drinking beer and ogling titties! Good times! 😁
I went to sub school in 76'-77' then on down to Dam Neck for Electronics A School and MT C school....back to Groton at the end of 77' for duty on the Will Rogers Gold crew. Looks like a lot has changed. the escape trainer is smaller and the barracks and training buildings are much new or renovated. I loved to tinker on cars, and always liked spending time at the Hobby Shop garage. My last few months in the Navy in 82' were spent as the Sr. PO running the Correctional Custody Unit (CCU) as I was awaiting Separations. That perimeter road was largely built by the CCU inmates. We'd take them out every day and work the crap out of them cutting trees and clearing brush. Fun times. 🙂
I've worked with a few guys who were subarieners (I'm former Army). They all loved it and said they wouldn't have traded the experience for anything. More power to them. I can't even be in a boat without a life jacket as I am afraid of the water...no way would I want to be below the water!!! My respect for these special Sailors!
If it weren’t for the US Navy Submariners, the world would be a very different place.
One of the most lethal platforms protecting our interests. My opinion.
Mare Island down the street.
Thank you Deep Warriors!
I was stationed there from 95 to 98 at the base galley cooking for all those bubble heads. Good times
I was 4 years old in about 1973 and my dad went here to get sub qualified. He was a corpsman. I remember we lived in a nearby apartment with my dad and mom. Maybe I was too young, but don’t remember if my father had to stay in the barracks.
Went to BESS in 1980, and we were in open barracks until my C school, which was also in Groton. I remember the chow hall being deserted for a week after payday and then packed after everyone had run through their money until the next 1st of the month😆 I was junior enlisted, a Chief, then commissioned like you were and enjoyed every unique part of my career for a lot of different reasons. Great video👍
I was also there in 1980.
I just passed meps in early enlistment. I ship out for basic June 30th I volunteered for machinist mate submarine
If you did good on the asvab hopefully your a torpedoman, if you didn’t I’m sorry to say your a A ganger
BZ! Well done video, and illustrating for me the changes at the base since I got out more than half a century ago. I was a nuke ET and all ETs in my time went to either San Francisco or Great Lakes for their A school. My nuke school was in Bainbridge Maryland and my nuke power site was in a fenced compound near tobacco fields in Windsor Connecticut. Physical training was not a thing when I was in, and in six years I may have run a total of a mile and a half, mostly in boot camp in San Diego. I never saw the inside of a gymnasium anywhere during my hitch. Cigarettes were 25 cents a pack and 17 cents a pack at sea. Our wet trainer was a WW2-era control room...with plenty of water and the conventional DC kit equipment of the era. The sub base appears to have been almost completely rebuilt since my time, as none of it was familiar to me, in this great video. The escape trainer was the old 110 foot tower, but it was OOC, account of a fire a short time before I got there. We all did go through a pressure tank, pressurized to approximately 100 foot depth, about 50 pounds. Great way to test your equalization ability and your ability to stay calm in an extremely noisy and pulse-raising environment -sweating profusely as the pressure is raised, and the watching frost form on the viewing ports as the pressure was vented off and the goosebumps raised on your skin. All computers were analog and single-purpose design...even in the nuke plants. All electronics were high-density discrete component design. NR-1 was rumored of and unseen and the X-1 was still in use and we never saw it or even heard of it. My qual boat was the Lafayette, SSBN 616 Blue and I was a Plankowner on the Billfish SSN 676.
I left the subs in December of '71 but they have always been with me...mostly good. Some habits have stayed with me. If you are "on time" you are late. I'm regularly checking tank levels and battery conditions in my camper, and I never let the fuel level go below half in any vehicles I have ever run or owned.
Sturgeon Class were the best class of boats ever built!
It's a shame the naval base in San Francisco is no more. Would love to see that brought back.
This video just popped up for me…I have to go here after I leave bootcamp. Hopefully I can make some memories
Congratulations, you will have memories that will last a lifetime! Good luck. I don't regret it at all
That's awesome. It will be an experience of a lifetime. It ain't always pretty/easy, but having a good attitude will get you through everything. Best of luck.
I go here after basic too, I ship out July 22nd
I went through Rotten Groton in 1988. I remember running those hills while working out, and early morning PT with our Seal Instructor Petty Officer Sealy. Great memories! Thanks for this video!
I did too, I think I had Sealy, I know I always had EXTRA PT, lol. So grateful for that place, not many of us can say we did that, went to the fleet, earned our dolphins and went on adventures. Like a lot of the cool stuff I dreamt about as a kid, I really got to do that stuff. Wouldn't trade a second of it for the world.
I was only at Groton once. For surgery while I was on Recruiting duty in upstate New York.
Recruiting duty and surgery... really got the short end of the stick there. I did recruiting in Alabama. Great experience that I never want to do again🍻
I've lived in New London since 1997 and gotten to know a great many submariners. Your pride is well and truly earned. Thank you for your service and for this glimpse into the start of it.
None of the buildings in this video were there when I went to sub school except the wet trainer. I did my escape training in the old escape tower that was on lower base and we lived in open bay barracks until we went to C school.
Sub school in 74, then stay there with orders to Pulaski Blue. In 78, back to sub school as an instructor. Taught sailors from the Imperial Iranian Navy communications and diesel boat theory on lower base. Returned there in 84 on a sub to bring midshipmen out to sea for a few days. That was a long two weeks.
I went there in 78. Seems like a lot has changed, except for Rock Lake. Sonar A school was in San Diego back then.
San Diego Boot camp and RM A school.
I was on Pulaski Blue in 89! Then off to fast boats, that was super fun!
Sub school in 75 and off to Dam Neck, VA for FTB A/C school before being stationed on Pulaski Blue in 77.
Thank you for sharing this walk down memory lane. Most appreciated, shipmate!
Appreciate it brotha🍻
These guys serving our country get all of the respect in the world from me. Especially the submariners.
Great video! My time in the Navy was back in the 80's and it was all Surface Fleet so I never served in subs. This video made me rethink my entire career.
Went through there in 1980. I get sad now when I visit bases because they are in such disrepair. Roads are all full of cracks and sidewalks cracked and crumbling. It also looks like a ghost town compared to when I went there. It was hopping while I was there as a student and later when I came back as an instructor in the Advanced Engineering Training Department.
Thanks for the great flashback. It has changed so much. I was there for Sub School in 1980 and returned in 84 to be on the 709 boat.
Good video and tour of Groton Submarine Training facility. Loved the music and identification of the different departments.
I don't remember it well but it was ~ 55 years ago. After sub school I went to emergency welding school there as well. Then I went to Kittery Maine where the Andrew Jackson SSBN 619 was being overhauled and refueled. The research sub NR-1 was in drydock with us in Kittery. It looked tiny compared to us. The video shows just the sail area. I wonder if the hull was removed. I remember touring inside when it was in drydock. It was cramped. The Andrew Jackson was scrapped decades ago. Time flies. It seems to amaze people when I tell them that I served on a sub. One of those military options you're given that once made, cannot be unmade. Would I do it again if I knew then what I know now? No. But then I would have done a lot of things differently. But as I've learned over time, the past is history, the future's a mystery, all we have is today. I have accepted all that and am grateful for what I have including feeling good about serving our country in a positive and meaningful way. I know that we as a nation and as individuals would be better off if more people contributed to our well being. I'm not a big JFK fan but his famous challenge "ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country". To me it's disappointing and a bit freighting how many people would reverse that today.
@@jameswilkins5938 I was at EB in Groton in '65/'66 and I saw NR-1 being built. Those hull plates were WAY thick.
"Perimeter road - where out of shape sailors go to die." Very well said! I still remember a senior chief on my first boat putting me in my place by offering to go running with me at lunch one day!
wow sure has changed since i was there in 1963 . lol almost everything is different. had great memories of my time there thank you for the tour.
Thank you for the tour, it has changed drastically sinci I was there in 1959 but I still maintain a relationship with my fellow submariners in the USSVI Illinois Base serving Northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin, I was priviliged to have the opportunity to start this base in Beloit,Wisconsin 7 years ago and have served as Base Commander and also as District Commander for awhile and still attend meetings. Once a submariner always a submariner!
@@phillipowens1493 I was a plankowner for USSVI Seattle Base. I ended up doing three terms as Base Commander over the years. Submarines Once...
Was stationed at NSSF(Naval Submarine Support Facility) AKA: NIGHTS SATSUN FRI. Boats pulled in Fri, left on Monday. Hence the acronym. Was there from 80-83. Met the love of my life. 40+ years now.
Good for you!! 😊❤❤ Congrats
Wow so much has changed since i was there in the 80's. I lived in 488 and i was tdy at the time and chowing down in Cross Hall when the Challenger blew up. I ate and ran back up to 488 to see the news on the old style big screen TV we had there. To commissary wasn't around back then and I don't recall an escalator in the NX. There was a package store next to the NX. They did a bang up business. I seem to recall there were 2 bowling alleys. One was on the main street near the gate and the other was up on a hill by the EM club.
Never served but I have great respect for those who did. Really good video. I spent the entire time wondering about all the young men who've passed through those schools, being far away from home and turning into men. ✌️
I appreciate that, thank you 🍻
Not only far away from home but submerged for (3) months at a time takes very special person that can do that they are called “Bubble Heads” for a reason 😎
Retired E9 Corpsman here, went there in the early 80's. They've done a LOT of changes here. Was stationed SUBGRU2 until 1985. There was talk of bringing the Nautilus to Groton. Rotten Groton, yup. It was cold as hell I the Winter and hot as blazes in the summer. Thanks for sharing.
I have to say this is probably the most beautiful campuses in the Navy.
Beautiful video lots of memories well done
Well done. Went to sub school in 1970. A lot has changed but it's still very recognizable.
In 1969-70 nucs had to attend sub school after competing prototype training in Idaho. There were no mandatory hours for nucs, in fact in my class no nuc failed out. We had regular WWII era barracks with at least 50-60 guys in double bunks. Looking at the pictures I don’t recognize much of anything except the river. I was an E-4 IC so I only supervised barracks cleaning and every 4th night had to stand watch in the sub school training building, requiring me to make 2 tours around the hallways. The school days were basically lectures by E-6/7 instructors. That was about 3 hrs each day, then we watched lots of “Silent Service” movies(yes 16mm movies, not DVDs nor VHs). Every third weekend you had duty, other weekends were liberty. Never felt stressed. Eventually nucs were not required to go to sub school since the shortage of nucs made Father Rickover obtain dispensations for nucs. Graduated in April 1970, drove 10 minutes to EB to new construction on the SSN-676
Like you Bob, I went to Sub School in Dec 72-Mar 73, old WWII Barracks of 50-60 guys with double bunks. BE/E School, then IC A School, then Sub School, then First Boat SSN-662. Yep, the Sturgeon Class was the best. I too, was an IC Man albeit a forward one. Still Engineering Department, though.
@@charlesbartholomew2910 I was the opposite went to BE&E, IC A, nuc school and prototype the sub school.
Spent 3 years there 66-69, two boats Piper and the Corporal. Helped organize several reunions and still talk to former boatmates 60 years later.
I enjoyed the video. I was stationed at NSSF New London, Groton, CT from 1987-90. Things have definitely changed and yes i feel old! The old 40 ft diving tower was still there. No museum and the Exchange looks li,e something from the future. Rock Lake was the Officers Lake. I was a TM2 by the time I left there. And yes, i swam in that lake one friday night as an E-4, lol. I went to Submarine Torpedo Tube School. The Only Female in the class. It was a 2 week school back then. Had a lot of fun. Was away from the Dept i worked at. Thanks for the Video. Enjoyed looking at the Marina and the Nautilus. Their the only two places that haven't changed. Except the golf course. ✝️🙏❤🇺🇸
I went thru in 1976 and it sure has changed - oh the lets not forget the tower because it will never go away.
I was a US Navy A-6 Intruder plane captain stationed at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia Beach, Va. in squadron VA-42. My service time was from Oct. 18, 1971 to Aug. 15, 1975. I was on 3 aircraft carriers for pilot carrier qualification landings & takeoffs. They had to do so many day & night catapult shots & traps (hook the cable) landings. Also went on bombing detachments to NAAS Fallon, Nevada and USMAS Yuma, Az. several times. My rate was Aviation Machinist Mate (jet engine mech.) I didn’t work in my rate though. I became a plane captain, which meant I inspected, fueled, oiled and washed our squadrons aircraft. Also walked around the aircraft with the pilot while he did his preflight inspection. Then helped him strap his seatbelts on him in the cockpit. Did the preflight start up and went through the function test of the flaps, slats, ailerons, rudder and lights on to make curtain every was AOK.Then hand signaled him to taxi to the runway and fly. I became a petty officer 1 year and 7 months after my first day of bootcamp at NRTC, San Diego, Ca. I exited bootcamp as an airman apprentice E-2 pay grade. I received an early out to go to vocational school for carpentry. I’m from Minnesota and have lived here all but my navy time. I didn’t try to make 2nd class petty officer because I didn’t want those 8 hour desk watches. I enjoyed your video on the submarine school base in Ct. It’s nice to learn things about the other parts of the US Navy. Thank you for your time and service to the US of America. ADJ3 Dennis P. Hayes Aug. 22, 2024
I ship for basic sep 30 and after I graduate ill be in Groton for 6 months. I'm training there to be an ITS, cant wait!
Good luck
All the best to you Cameron, I was there in '71...went on to the 'Bang' and 'Quillback'.
Great memories. I was stationed at NSSF from 1982 to 1985.
I lived in Groton from 1960 to 62, my dad was in the Coast Guard and he played at the golf course many times with me as caddy! Thanks for the memories!
Nicely done video. Thank you for sharing. I was there Feb 63-Apr 63. The only things I remember as before were the theatre, the exterior displays of the mini sub and torpedo. I served on the USS Entemedor SS340, New London and the USS Plunger SSN 595, Hawaii as an MM2SS. I did a tour of the Nautilus while she was operating out of New London. I would love to do a tour of the Nautilus now as both the Entemedor and Plunger have been scrapped. Again, Thank you.
Well put. I'd have to say that I "grew up" in the submarine force. It wasn't always fun but, I wouldn't trade all those years for ANYTHING!! How I miss it.
Great post. Your love of the Navy, sailors and all shines through. Bravo. From Newfoundland. Best.
I went to subschool here in 1981. Though originally from Maine, I lived in Newfoundland from 1973 - 1979, as a landed immigrant, mostly in Marystown.
Since my mother (from Petite Forte) never did become a U.S. citizen, Canada’s Harper government conferred the status of Canadian citizenship onto the children of Canadian citizens, born abroad. So now I have dual citizenship.
All the best!
Thank you for the unexpected and great trip down memory lane. BESS in 1998, STS-A School 1998-1999, and on the waterfront USS Albuquerque (SSN-706) until 2001 when we went to Portsmouth for overhaul (I continued in my career until 2009). Some things are new, but so many are the same. Again, thank you.
A beautiful knowledgeable video, thanks for taking the time to put it together for us!
Like everyone else has mentioned, nothing looks like I remember it (1977) But, thanks for making this!
Thoroughly enjoyed this!
Awesome, thank you!
I do not know if the base looked like that when my late husband was there from 1963 to 1966. He wanted to be a dentist but got sub school. I remember him talking about going up a tub full of water and if you did not breath there was someone to make you breath. He was on the USS Tigrone and very proud of his time on the boat. Listening to this helps me to understand why he did not write me more often. He said he had lots of studying to do. He always seemed to be a little drunk when he called while on liberty. He gave me a small set of Dolphins to wear on my sweater when I went to school. Someone broke into our house and took a little box. I held his dolphins and mine and his dog tags as well as the ring that I went steady with him and I still have not been able to find a small find a set of little dolphins that I can wear. He was planning to go to a reunion of his shipmates.But two months before we could go he passed away. I asked some of the men that knew him to send me at least a story and they took the time to do that. A few of them told me the same story about how when he was carrying the trash cans in each hand to dispose of the garbage he fell off the in the middle of winner with the trash cans.They didn't know how he got back up out of the water and that his peacock was still dry when he took it off on the inside.
The Cantin told him he had to pay for those two cans. After the captain left he had a few choice words to say. I know he said a few times he didn't have any stamps to write back to me and that he was broke as usual a lot from playing poker I,m sure. I would send him a book of stamps just so I could hear from him.
He talked about beautiful the Bahamas and the Islands were that they cruised to and after a few years and the kids were grown.He took me on two cruises so I could see the beautiful blue water and go on the islands. The thrill was one night when we were standing on deck he saw a submarine coming in to that island and I think that was the highlight of his cruise is to see another sub.We had planned when he retired to go over to the east coast and he wanted to hang out in some of the places that he used to go to. I'm sure we would a went to the base so he could look back and then point out what it was he was doing while while away from me. The boat was in dry dock in Philadelphia and I asked him if he saw the liberty bell or Independence Hall and his reply was , "No but I knew where Mulligan bar was." I took a trip with my granddaughter to Washington.DC and then to Philadelphia and I stood where the liberty bell was and I looked up to heaven and I said," Dean this is what you were supposed to see."
I went to Sub School from June through August of 64. They taught 585 (Skipjack) class. We did escape tank, buoyant ascent training. I was assigned to Carbonero SS-337 in PH.
@@atassaro I was taught Skipjack also, Jan-Feb '65. Went to new construction at EB and comm'd Flasher SSN 613. We went to Pearl and use to see the "Carbon Burner" light off many times! I finally got to ride a Diesel in '69. Cusk SS 348 at Ballast Point just before her decomm.
0:58, I served on those 34' patrol boats. Naval Weapon Station Earle. NJ