"I Knew Him When"
I was excited to see the news that RMDL Frederick Roegge had relieved RMDL (or was he recently promoted to RADM? His official biography page still shows him as a 1-star -- the Navy doesn't make figuring out the correct rank name abbreviations for O-7s and O-8s very easy) James Foggo III as Commander of SUBGRU 8/CTF 69. As a blogger, I'm really hoping that RMDL Roegge moves to give CSG 8 at least a rudimentary online presence; they're the only Submarine Group without a Facebook page, for example.
Admiral Roegge is the first (and probably only) of my former COs to make flag, so I'm excited to see him in his first submarine-specific Flag command. He wasn't my favorite CO (I didn't like his decision not to give me leave for a week to drive my family cross-country in preparation for my upcoming transfer during a BATREP when my relief had already been on board for 6 weeks or so) but had I earned a chance to command a submarine, I would most likely have used more of his command style than any of my other COs. Of all my Commanding Officers, he was definitely the most deserving of flag selection, IMHO.
So which Admirals did you know before they earned their flags?
posted by Bubblehead at 8:48 AM
82 Comments:
I worked with/for both Fritz and Bob Burke, while at the Navy Annex (N133 Shop).
Both outstanding choices - I enjoyed my time there, and their leadership was superb.
6/01/2012 8:54 AM
ADM Greenert (CNO) was the best XO I ever had aboard Michigan
Dave Bowman
FTB1(SS)
6/01/2012 9:27 AM
Paul Bushong from USS Pittsburgh, would not have made Chief without his guidance.
6/01/2012 9:48 AM
Admiral Chuck Munns. I would go to war with him again, anyway.
Dennis
YN1(SS)
6/01/2012 9:55 AM
RADM Douglass Biesel was my XO on USS Annapolis (SSN-760).
6/01/2012 10:12 AM
VADM Bird was still CO of SCRANTON when I reported aboard as NAV in NOV 1996. His change of command was two weeks later, so I did not interact with him much, although I eventually heard plenty of stories. He was very popular with the JO's and enlisted, but was a dick to the DH's.
RDML (sel) Stuart Munsch was my second NAV on JEFFERSON CITY following new construction. He was a good guy, and I very much enjoyed working with him (I was the DCA at the time and the senior JO). He is the only NAV I have ever heard of to come through a grounding unscathed, but in our case I believe it was the right call.
6/01/2012 10:17 AM
Admiral Donald and virtually everyone on USS Seahorse became shellbacks on the same day in late 1986. He seemed to have had about as good a rapport with the crew as an XO can have, and took the shellback ceremony pretty much in stride.
6/01/2012 10:24 AM
Knew Adm Eccles when he was an Lt.
Knew Giambastiani when he was a Cdr.
6/01/2012 10:47 AM
Rear Admiral Grooms. He was my XO on the USS Pasadena back in the early 90's. As far as XO's go he was one of the best I had (besides Tory Swanson, soon to be CO of the USS Chicago). Always level headed and fair.
I met him again about 14 years later when as Group 2 he came down to my boat. He presented some awards to the crew and then after we broke ranks he came over and shook my hand and then reminisced about the good ole days on the Dena. It shocked me that he remembered me after 14 years. Especially with all my gray hair and battle salt that all grizzled submariners have.
6/01/2012 10:59 AM
Met McAneny when he was OIC of MTS-635, early 90's. He didn't seem to be a bad guy, but we only crossed paths briefly and I have seen others on here say not-so-nice things about him.
6/01/2012 11:03 AM
RDML Breckenridge (GRP2) was my Commodore at Squadron 4. Very smart guy with a 20LB head.
BTW, RDML Roegge is a 1-star. Sub Group Command is a 1-star billet though they normally get nominated for second star during the tour.
6/01/2012 11:26 AM
Foggo was my first CO on OK CITY; we did an ICEX and some local stuff before he turned over to CDR Voter.
RDML Breckenridge (been in the MIAMI fire news a lot) was a CAPT at SEA 08 when I was on NNPTC staff. Oddly enough, I saw him mostly doing very lowly decorator work in preparation for the Bowman Center and Rickover Auditorium dedications.
6/01/2012 11:27 AM
HGR 709 - My first CO was Jay Cohen, he used to call me his forward white rat wanting to know the scuttlebutt around the ship. My third Eng was Cecil Haney, a tall drink of water that was tops for both detail and accountability.
Both of these men taught me many things but most of all, what it really meant to be a part of a crew.
Over the course of time, HGR certainly made its fair share of flags.
6/01/2012 11:28 AM
Stan Szemborski was my Eng on the USS Omaha. We ace'd our ORSE in early 81. I left the boat right behind the ORSE board, Mr. S left a few months later.
6/01/2012 11:52 AM
I knew RDML James G. Foggo III when he was the XO onboard NARWHAL in the early 90s. He was a superb XO and I would follow him anywhere.
6/01/2012 11:53 AM
Knew Haney when he was Commodore & knew Richardson when he was PCO Instructor in Pearl. Very different personal styles but both struck me as holding highest integrity. Haney was particularly thoughtful/deep-thinking while Richardson was more personable. Not surprised either are where they're at.
6/01/2012 11:54 AM
Willy Hilarides was my CO on Key West. Great CO, I was really glad to see him make it to two stars.
6/01/2012 12:50 PM
Stan Szemborski was my CO on the Chicago and I’d go against the Devil in Hell with a squirt gun with him. I was a Dive on WestPac 89 and he had such a multi-dimensional view of what was going on around the boat and how it was positioned that he put us in the right places. He was fair with everyone and listened.
That Damn Good Looking Aganger From Iowa.
6/01/2012 1:15 PM
"...the Navy doesn't make figuring out the correct rank name abbreviations for O-7s and O-8s very easy..."
Really?
Rear Admiral (lower half): Lower starts with L --> RDM*L*
6/01/2012 1:30 PM
Oh, hell, how did I forget this? When I was a young non-qual ENS aboard PCU JEFFERSON CITY, I rode KEY WEST in JAN-FEB '91 when ADM Donald was CO for EOOW quals. He seemed pretty good, with the work hard, play hard attitude that a lot of folks back then seemed to have. I remember (somewhat hazily) the whole wardroom (CO included) heading to one of Cocoa Beach's finer establishments for some...entertainment. A good time was had by all.
6/01/2012 1:30 PM
The comment was more about how to abbreviate RMDL Foggo's rank. As I knew he'd been nominated for 2 stars holding a 1 star billet, there was no way to tell if he'd been frocked to the next higher grade yet.
6/01/2012 2:08 PM
I also met McAneny when he was OIC of MTS-635 just after he come onboard in early 92 as I recall.
He grabbed me (I guess I was "any Ensign") to walk around with him to tour the forward spaces, as a training exercise.
6/01/2012 2:23 PM
Curious to know who you think should have made flag - but didn't...
6/01/2012 2:50 PM
RADM Dan Cloyd was a student of mine when he went through the nuc pipeline on the MTS-635 as a Commander. We've stayed in touch since then.
RADM Tom Rowden is a friend. He was the RMA on Enterprise while I was the Chemistry Assistant. The first date I had with my (now) wife was a party at his place in Newport News. We still have the kitchen knives he gave us as a wedding gift.
6/01/2012 3:57 PM
RADM Grooms was one of my COs on Asheville.
ADM Haney was XO on the same boat, as was RADM Thomas (two XOs from the same tour made flag...man I was on that boat a long time).
VADM Szemborski was CO of Chicago.
RADM "Gar" Wright was the Detachment Head at NUWC San Diego until he put on his Star...it was rather ammusing that Admiral Wright would have to travel to KPT to report to a Bird Captain who was NUWCKPT CO.
VADM Leidig was the Material Officer at CSS-11.
I'm sure I'm missing 1 or 2 from way back in my early days on Skate and Hawkbill.
6/01/2012 4:22 PM
No flag officers can promote until there are vacancies. There are statutory limits on the number of officers in each flag grade.
IIRC RADM Benedict (Dir-SSP) (for example) was a 2-star select for well over a year before he finally got to promote. It was just a matter of waiting for others to promote or retire, since he was already in a 2-star job.
6/01/2012 4:28 PM
Cohen was handpicked by the KOG to be CO of the eponymous Hyman G. Rickover. The Admiral and Dr. John Pina Craven exerted significant control over Cohen's career, apparently unknown to him until after the KOG's death.
6/01/2012 5:36 PM
KellyJ--when were you on Skatefish?
6/01/2012 5:37 PM
Got my fish from Archie Clemins, CINCPAC 96-99, while he was skipper of Pogy the day before pulling into Darwin. Struck me as one of the good ones, though the nucs that had been on the boat during its refueling weren't fans. Definitely had that aura of those destined for flag rank.
6/01/2012 5:58 PM
Grooms was CDRE of CSS8 when I first reported aboard FLORIDA in Norfolk, 2005, so I had to check in with him.
In 2008, Breckenridge rode NORTH CAROLINA as CDRE of CSS4. Then, I was at his change of command ceremony the same year.
"knew" is a loose term
6/01/2012 6:03 PM
VADM Bill Burke (DCNO N9) was the NAV on OMAHA (SSN 692) when I reported onboard as a young RM and RDML Phil Sawyer (CSG-7) was my first CO when I was COB on LA JOLLA (SSN 701). Both made huge positive impacts on my career.
6/01/2012 6:10 PM
VADM Mel Williams (Ret) was my last boat CO. Although the boat excelled under his leadership, I was glad to leave.
6/01/2012 6:53 PM
"Knew Haney when he was Commodore & knew Richardson when he was PCO Instructor in Pearl."
That's how I knew both of these gentlemen, too, I think the only other flag I knew 'back in the day' was C.J. Leidig when he was CO. (oddly enough, at least three of my CO's have gone on to be SSGN CO's)
6/01/2012 7:19 PM
Knew Admiral Crunch before he was busted back down to Cap'n
6/01/2012 8:18 PM
I knew Admiral Leidig back during his days as a butter bar at Nuclear Power School in Orlando. He hasn't aged much. Still extremely bright and a really solid person.
6/01/2012 8:21 PM
I had a few:
- Admiral Fargo was my XO on Plunger. Convinced me as a QM2 to re-enlist and do three years shore duty in Subic Bay.
- VADM Szemborski was CO of Chicago when I was a QM1.
- Rear Admiral Stephen E. Johnson was CO of Chicago when I was the ANAV.
- RDML Charles (Chip)
Griffiths was the Commodore at CSG-7 (before it turned into a flag billet) when I was the Ops Chief there.
There may be a couple of others but time has faded the memory.
Jim C.
Retired ANAV
6/01/2012 8:24 PM
Jeff Fowler was my Eng on the USS Alaska (SSBN 732)(Blue). Later on, Stan Szemborski took over the USS Houston (SSN 713) after the previous CO got fired. Both were great to work for.
6/01/2012 9:36 PM
My guys blew shyt on RADM Mulloy on both the Miami (ENG), and San Fran (Commodore). RADM Bruhner was a great CO on the Florduh Gold. I know too many to list.
hagar
6/02/2012 1:24 AM
I worked for Admiral Breckenridge when he was Commodore of CSS-4. We had met earlier when he was the senior member of the RSE team when I was EDMC on SSN-23. He was a professional and treated me well. As he pointed out to me once when I asked about his background during one of our road trips to PNS, "Not bad for the son of a lobsterman."
6/02/2012 4:36 AM
I worked with a Turkish Navy Captain Bilgel for 3 years in the 1990s. Today, he is wearing 4 stars, and is head of the Turkish Navy. Wow!
6/02/2012 6:40 AM
Admiral Hank Chiles USS Gurnard
Admrial Ed Giambastiani USS Richard B Russell
Admiral Rick Buchanan USS Parche
Admiral Joe Mulloy XO Puffer
Yes I was lucky to be station with such leadership
6/02/2012 7:39 AM
O yea I forget to add Admiral Richardson was the MPA on USS Parche with me
6/02/2012 7:43 AM
VADM Scott Van Buskirk was my first CO on 752, he was a great CO and man. He is a people person, the command climate was fantastic. It was a "work hard play hard" command, that was by far the most fun I've had in the navy. As for not admirals yet Commodore Mike Holland and Capt Ray Gabriel were 2 of 3 of my COs on 719 and they were great, I'm sure they're going places in a hurry.
6/02/2012 8:24 AM
Too old....Adm Smith then Adm Kelso were my bosses at Pers-42. Konetzni was a co-worker. Vadm Catola was my CO 619(B). Yogi Kaufman was CO NPTU Idaho when I left duty there. Radm Lewin was my Eng in 634(B).
6/02/2012 9:33 AM
VADM Metzger was my first XO on Tautog
PW
6/02/2012 1:48 PM
John Elnitsky and Pat (Scream & Holler) Brady was my WEPS on the 692. John Padgett was CO. VADM Michael Colley was CO when I was on the 671 and William P. Houley was my CO on the 680. I got to work for some really good leaders which carried me through the very bad ones. I smile to myself...
6/02/2012 5:27 PM
I was CSS-8 Weps for Grossenbacher and Talbot
Bird was a Deputy as CSS-8for a bit
Joe Kuzmik was my CO on CVN-74
6/02/2012 6:13 PM
@ Anom 6/1/12 5:37:
I was on Skate from 1980 to Decom in 85.
6/02/2012 7:33 PM
The following flag officers were privledged to know me while I was helping them attain future flag rank!
Haney - CO USS Honolulu
Richardson - CO USS Honolulu (I was there a short while.
VanBuskirk - Navigator - USS Tunny
Caldwell - XO USS Buffalo
Duryea - XO USS Honolulu (same as Haney)
McAneny - ENG USS Tunny
Bird - XO USS Tunny
I also knew alot of flags before stars when I was an instructor at NSTCP and TTF Bangor. Too many to list here!
STSCS(SS/SW) USN RET
6/02/2012 10:18 PM
When he was a commander, RDML Brady reenlisted me at a Hooters. He would scream and yell at the Navigator and than turn around and ask an enlisted crew member a question in a polite voice.
He didn't have that air of condescension some of the o-gang possessed. It's easy to work for someone when they have their act together.
6/02/2012 10:25 PM
(Bill) Burke as XO, Mulloy as a PCO, VanBuskirk as a PCO, Hilardes as a PCO, Chas Richard as a PCO, Haney and Duryea on HONO, Bushong as AS40 CO, and Cassius as PCOI. I'm sure there are others, but that's a good list.
More power to all of them.
6/03/2012 1:30 AM
Oh, and McAneny on 635. Oops.
6/03/2012 1:31 AM
KellyJ: Former USS Skate CO George Fister died a couple of weeks ago here in Northern Virginia. A number of Skaters were able to attend his visitation and memorial service. If you remember the JO that hung around the Shore Bird Restaurant and Beach Bar in Waikiki, you can Google me to establish direct contact.
6/03/2012 9:21 AM
Sorry to hear about George Fister passing...worked for him two tours - 1 sea and one shore. What a submariner and gentleman! Rest your oars Skipper!
CAPT, USN (Ret)
6/03/2012 11:45 AM
RDML Brady as XO on the 677 out of San Diego in 1994... Couple scream sessions /blow ups in control toward Chiefs and JO's I'll never forget. Great guy overall and treated enlisted guys very good!Became shellback in '94 and went through everything wihout a bitch. Went to TRE team after XO tour and recogzined me 2 yrs later on different boat manning the charts and had a great 5 minute conversation with him.
6/03/2012 2:22 PM
My CO on Ohio back in 84 was Captain Emery, who later went on to become VADM Emery, SUBLANT
6/03/2012 6:05 PM
Met McAneny when he was OIC of MTS-635, early 90's. He didn't seem to be a bad guy, but we only crossed paths briefly and I have seen others on here say not-so-nice things about him.
McAneny was one of my XOs on Drum. I thought he was a total flamer with a HUGE Napoleon complex. But then again, maybe that was just the opinion of a then rebellious and somewhat immature E-5/E-6. Perspective.
6 & out EM1(SS/DV)
6/03/2012 7:36 PM
Worked for RDML(sel) Bob Burke when he was CO of HAMPTON and then again when he was TRE Senior Member. Biggest jerk (and hypocrite) I ever met in the Navy. Guilty of the same infractions that many Commanding Officers lose their jobs for...he just never got caught. For the sake of interesting blogging, let's hope he hasn't changed his ways and gets caught in the near future.
6/04/2012 7:27 AM
another reason I just don't get why he (Burke) was selected over Clark for first star.... SMH
6/04/2012 8:29 AM
I served under VADM TT Etnyre when he was the CO of ARKANSAS, CGN-41. Looks like he went on to eventually become Commander, Naval Surface Force, Pacific Fleet.
What his wiki entry doesn't mention is the complete disaster that was the replacement of #1 EDG in the yards, that we then had to redo pier-side... that left a bit of a black mark on his record before he left.
6/04/2012 10:40 AM
Pleased to say I served under Roegge on the CONNECTICUT (with our esteemed blogmaster during one of his Engineer Officer tours). He was an excellent skipper who seemed to genuinely care about the crew including the nukes. His calm and professional demeanor was a welcome change from his predecessor who we could devote an entire column to.
6/04/2012 1:29 PM
I served with Admiral Hennegan when he was "Buffalo" Bob Hennegan, CO of the USS BUFFALO in Pearl Harbor...
-YN1
6/04/2012 1:38 PM
RDML Brady...CO on SSN 707. Now at SPAWARSYSCOM
RDML Traaen...he was on a 'boat' at some point, but I met him when he was SUPPO on LHA-1 Tarawa
6/04/2012 1:38 PM
Richard Terpstra (XO POGY)
Anthony Watson (CSS-7)
Joe Enright (CSS-7)
John Butler (RO PROTEUS)
Willy Hillardes (CO KEY WEST)
Joe Mulloy (CSS-15)
All had an impact, positive and negative, on my 26 year career.
6/04/2012 3:51 PM
When I was on USS Salt Lake City
ADM Fargo was CO and VADM VanBuskirk was Eng. (on a side note BH's "He Who Must Not Be Named" was XO)
6/04/2012 4:22 PM
Joe Tofalo was my first Captain on MAINE Gold back in 2002. I specifically remember his encouraging words as I progressed through the quall process. He was a great guy and genuinely cared about his guys. I wish him all the best in his future endeavors.
6/05/2012 8:42 AM
@ kellyj: Were you on SSBN-635 for the conversion?
6/05/2012 10:32 AM
Got to serve with:
Bruce Grooms (WEPS JACKSONVILLE)
Phil Davis (CO JACKSONVILLE)
Tony Watson (CO Jacksonville)
All while I was COB.
6/06/2012 9:50 AM
Douglass Biesel was a jo on Lapon when I was ALCPO. Very competent, but very quiet.
6/06/2012 5:05 PM
Sorry, never served on any BN's...4 SSNs; 578, 666, 721, 758.
6/07/2012 12:02 AM
It's official - RADM Mike Connor has been nominated for VADM and assignment as COMSUBFOR, COMSUBLANT, and COM Allied Sub Command.
Wonder where Richardson is going? (speaking of RADCON).
Also, Paul Bushong nominated for VADM and assigment as U.S. security coordinator, Israel-Palestinian Authority.
Congratulations to all - good leaders who will do well in their new jobs!
Bushong was my PCOI at NR. Connor was my PCOI at the fleet school. Both good teachers too.
6/08/2012 2:24 PM
When Paul Bushong was a Squadron Engineer in Hawaii, he used to play a lot of racquetball. He also chided Commodore Watson that Tony couldn't fit in the door of the racquetball courts in order to have a chance to beat him. Saying that to the guy that signs your FITREP takes balls, especially when that guy goes about 250 pounds and boxed in college. And it obviously hurt Paul's career.
6/08/2012 3:43 PM
Sea Devil
ADM. Mies - CO
VADM Fages - XO
VADM Bird - Nav
RADM Foggo - JO
Parche
RADM Buchanan - CO
RADM Wachendorf - CO
ADM Richardson - Weps
They were all great leaders and people.
6/10/2012 7:47 AM
Really dredging up old stuff here....
Three flags from SSBN 619 blue and gold from 1962 pre-comm. ADM Al Whittle Jr. Blue commissioning skipper, VADM James Wilson Gold commissioning skipper, RADM Charles Brickell, Blue crew AWeps. I dragged all three on a crawl through the superstructure and under the sail during precom qual checkout.
One flag from SS-580 during 74-75 VADM John Morgan Jr. SS-580 Weps.
all great submarine drivers in my book...........
DBFTMC(SS)USNRET
6/10/2012 1:16 PM
Name droppers.
Rackburn
6/13/2012 5:14 AM
Chuck Munns was my first skipper on R.B. Russell (SSN 687) and Paul Stanley was my second.
Scott Van Buskirk was my WEPS on Seawolf (SSN 575)
6/13/2012 3:44 PM
So Joe Enright made RADM, eh? Awesome - he was my Eng on the Sam Houston. I recall a time when he and I made a trip to the tender in Guam to talk on the phone to a Naval Reactors guy about a problem with the reactor protection instruments. I didn't know who I was talking to, so I dropped in a few 'sirs' here and there (I was a second class at the time). Afterwards, Enright commented that that was the first time he's ever heard me call anyone sir, and that to a junior officer. I had no idea.
My second CO was Bill Owens, who went on to be ADM Owens, Vice Chief of Staff. Also a good guy.
6/15/2012 2:10 AM
VADM Malcolm "MAL" Fages was my second CO on NARWHAL. I remember him as a vain little man more worried about the perks his officers received than his crews morale. He used the ships rec fund to buy waiter jackets and bowties for the Cooks serving him in the wardroom instead of the Softball uniforms we had been promised. He was infamous onboard for Taking the crews TV for the wardroom when theirs broke on a deployment. We also ran aground and lost our anchor on his watch.
RADM Miles B Wachendorf was my 2nd XO on NARWHAL. He was hit pretty hard by static shock from a Helo just like in "Hunt for Red October" if I remember correctly. I don't remember despising him as much as the other XO's I encountered in my 4 years on NARWHAL.
7/19/2012 12:31 PM
Served with McAneny on Philly, he was my CO and yes he did have a Napoleon complex. At Squadron 11 they called him Lord Farquaad. Breckenridge was the XO at the same time on Philly and he didn't give two shits about the crew, he was all about the boat. Pulled a EM1 off terminal leave so he could be a member of the ORSE drill team, the guy wasn't even on the watchbill. Douglass Biesel took over for McAneny and he tried to kill our MMC (agang) by ordering a forward emergency blow (scheduled for testing and CO was on the bridge)before everyone was below, obviously it didn’t effect his career.. I served under Roegge on the CONNECTICUT, he was a good CO but he let the COB get away with too much.
7/19/2012 8:22 PM
RADM (soon to be VADM) Hilarides was a young LT on PARGO in the early 80s, good OOD to stand watch with and later a very good WEPS on what at that time was still a MK113 boat.
TMCM(SS) Ret.
1/25/2013 11:17 AM
Best captain from a young seamans stand point commander Stephen O,leary ( a father to us) Best from an overall viewpoint Carlysle A.H. Trost. Number 1 in all schools A fair disciplinarian. Served a year on U.SS.Scorpion during a 4 month cruise in the middle of the Cuban crisis..SSSN
8/26/2013 7:33 AM
Mulloy was a JO and McAneny was Weps on the Trepang when I was on board. Mulloy was incredibly smart and easy going, eager to learn and eager to teach. McAneny on the other hand was a pain in the arse. Napoleon complex would be an understatement. Although McAneny was one of the crew members who painted skimmer puke and a periscope sight on the side of the USS Ticonderoga in Rosey Roads. What a night that was!
3/20/2014 10:48 AM
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