Navy orders stand down of entire submarine force

wavy.com ^ | 01/15/2006 | N/A

[rwa265]

Navy orders stand down of entire submarine force

In a news release, the commander of the U.S. Submarine Force announced today that it will conduct an Operational Stand Down in the wake of recent submarine incidents.

In a message to the submarine force, Vice Adm. Chuck Munns, U.S. Submarine Force commander, directed the immediate "stand down" to focus energy and intellect back onto the basics of submarine operations.

The stand down comes after two incidents involving Norfolk-based submarines.

[Bottom_Gun]

My personal best is 284 days in a 12-month period
that sounds like me my friend. The first year of my first marriage was 320 days at sea. One of the contributing factors to it breaking up, IMHO.

[bmwcyle]

This was becoming a problem on my submarine when I was in 1980's. On a submarine you have to qualify to receive you dolphin pin. With that pin means you know the whole sub, its valves, emergency items, etc. I failed my first test but the second time I was the first to answer every question thrown at me. After that we change many of our chiefs. This group wouldn't fail anyone because it might hurt their feelings. I sat two boards that I wanted to fail the people but my vote was changed by the officer and the chief. It is no wonder that they don't understand what they are doing.

[Doohickey]

One of the contributing factors to it breaking up, IMHO.

Mine too. The first one anyway. On the subject of lessons learned, I told my then girlfriend back in '90 that if she was still around after my sea tour was done that I'd marry her. She was, and I did. 15 years later and she still won't go away! :)

[Bottom_Gun]

yep, 14 yrs on this one so far :). Back in the day, I had an A-gang chief who used to say you weren't a real Submariner, until you've had a least one break up because of your career choice *L*.

[justshutupandtakeit]

I only wish other Americans knew and respected the sacrifices of these men and their families.

[justshutupandtakeit]

OK, thanks. My boy is just getting started after three years of training. So I will get better information as to how things are going from him. He still has another three years to go on his enlistment.

[rottndog]

It ain't called the Silent Service for nothin'...

[cva66snipe]

yep, 14 yrs on this one so far :). Back in the day, I had an A-gang chief who used to say you weren't a real Submariner, until you've had a least one break up because of your career choice *L*.

I had a friend who was on the PHENIOX that happened too. His later Navy days were spent as an IC instructor at the prototype mid 1980's. I've worked with a few bubble heads when I was on the ship too. Best guys to work with. One guy a MM in my shop went to subs around 1978 I've been trying to locate him for several years.

[Jambe]

Subs have blue and gold crews.

Again, the only subs that have 2 crews are the 14 Trident SSBN's.

NONE of the SSN's, the "Fast Attack" subs operate that way. They have a single crew, 100% of the time.

Deployment on a SSBN is in many ways preferred duty vs. an SSN. The entire schedule of a SSBN Trident is planned years in advance. Patrol schedules, crew changes, yard work, etc. is much easier to plan due to their schedules. At least with an SSBN you can plan about 50% of your time being in port.

SSN's on the other hand are on a much higher operating tempo due to surge deployments, special ops, etc. SSN's and their SINGLE crew are at sea far more than any other naval vessel - period.

SSN's may have an advantage in that it's possible they could make a port call during their deployment, (unlike SSBN's) but the port calls are mostly to replenish food supplies and pick-up spare parts. There are also limitations as to the ports they will visit.

SSBN Tridents will most often return to the home port they departed from - no stops in between (except load-outs, etc). Their mission is to be on patrol - undetected. They would not get involved with tossing cruise missiles as that would give their position away!

[tomcorn]

Had friend who was an NPO on an SSN. He mentioned "periscope liberty" and what sought after prize it was it was. Then he toled me what it was.. Submariners are nuts.

[rwa265]

I came across this on the Navy news web site and thought you'd be interested.

http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=27392

[Minutemen]

I'm sure the Navy was required to first inform Iran, N. Korea, you know, all of our allies.)

[LibKill]

This is not as unusual as one might think at first glance.

Back when I was in the Corps we lost 3 or 4 aircraft in 10 days, peacetime.

The Commandant ordered a stand down with empasis on safety and procedure.

This kind of thing serves at least 1 useful purpose. It shakes people awake and out of their rut.

Anyway, subs are hideously expensive and it pays for everyone to keep on their toes.

[justshutupandtakeit]

Thanks very much for that link. My Gold son is going to miss the Super Bowl. As a Bears fan from his crib this is a great sacrifice. I can only hope to have a tape of a victory for him later. They got out late last Sunday so a bunch of them invaded a barracks where they found a tv to watch the NFC Championship.

God bless our sailors.

[GoldenPup]

The Navy for broadcasting apparent weakness in our submarine system to our country's enemies.

[GoldenPup]

Broadcasting apparent weakness in the sub system is PR? PR to whom? Our enemies?

[Doohickey]

Leaving port is an evolution known as the "Maneuvering Watch", not a ship system.

The PR is the Navy showing such a "deep commitment to safety of its officers and crew" by taking safety-related incidents so seriously. National security is not being compromised here.

[rwa265]

GoldenPup

I am relieved you are not suggesting I am jeopardizing our national security. My son is on a submarine and there is no way I would ever do anything that I think would put him or any other member of the silent service at risk.

The public knew about the incidents before the Navy released any information about them. Publicizing a standdown does not broadcast any weaknesses. Conversely, it lets our enemies know we are taking steps to strengthen our submarine operations.

If you knew how often my son says he can't tell me something you would realize the Navy is doing a good job of not revealing sensitive information.

[GoldenPup]

Thanks for letting me know, and thank your son for me for his service.

[corlorde]

I have a feeling "all subs" actually means some. There is no way we will call in all of our counter strike subs for any reason. I'm betting we will rotate them in for service or whatever, on sub at a time.