Here's wishing a most safe and joyous Christmas season to all Submariners and those who love us; remember to keep in your thoughts those Submariners out on the "tip of the spear" this Holiday season, like the officers and crew of
USS La Jolla (SSN 701):
Merry Christmas, Fellow Bubbleheaads!
ReplyDeleteWelcome home, La Jolla!
ReplyDeleteWelcome home, La Jolla!
ReplyDeleteWelcome home, La Jolla!
ReplyDeleteWow, I got out in '90 and LaJolla was in my squadron at Point Loma. That boat has been going a looooonnnnnggggg time.
ReplyDeleteMerry Xmas and F.T.N...
ReplyDeleteHoo Ya La Jolla!!!
ReplyDeleteFor those that don't know, the boat's name is Spanish for The Jolla.
ReplyDeleteWow! I worked on her several times in the early 90's. Best group of TM's I ever knew. TM1 Smitty , and TM2 Perry
ReplyDelete@ anonymous- La Jolla is spanish for 'The Jewel' which is quite fitting. onward USS MISSISSIPPI!
ReplyDeleteIt really has no meaning in Spanish. Just a made up name for a town in California.
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ReplyDeleteLess Merry for Some - How does the Idaho Senator pronounce his last name -
Crap'-Oh?
Merry Christmas to all of the boomer crews out right now, pointing big spears at the bad guys; and to all of the fast boat sailors checking on the bad guys and ensuring the safety and security of the sea.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to all of the ground fighters still in foreign lands, saving our grace to the greatest extent possible; and to not just Americans, but to all defenders of Christian countries - those who will not be home for Christmas, because they are dedicated and caring individuals.
Finally, Merry Christmas to all who have lost a loved one in any of the many tragedies of the year, but any loss is tragic.
God's Love to all!
I was on board from 83-87. She's definitely been around the block a time or two.
ReplyDeleteJoel, thanks for running this forum. I contribute little, but read a lot. Sometimes even learn something! May God bless you and your family on this Christmas day.
ReplyDeleteThat's not home. Home is Pearl. That looks more like Pusan, South Korea.....
ReplyDeleteLa Jolla was an amazing boat. Hell of a wardroom in 04-07 range. Bunch of greats JOs went on to be successful DHs. A Gang was a bunch of studs too!
ReplyDeleteI could be wrong, but that area looks a lot like the outskirts of Chinhae Naval Base which I drove LJ into at least a couple of times back in '04. It was that misty and cold in summer too. The JOs rocked in large part because Bob Roncska was XO from '04 to '06.
ReplyDeleteFor an idea of her age, consider that the slide to the end of Rickover's career began during LJ's sea trials: according to the book 'Running Critical', during a crashback drill Rickover overrode the CO and kept the astern engines going until the boat reached something like a 30-degree bubble going downhill backwards, just to prove he was in charge. Freaked everyone out and gave plenty of ammo to his critics.
Just heard through the grapevine that there were 3 1120's selected for 0-7 instead of 2.... Any word?
ReplyDeleteWhat gave it away? The Korean lettering on the side of the tug?
ReplyDeleteLet us also remember STS2 Mike Holtz and ETCS Thomas Higgins from The Mighty MSP, who were lost on 29DEC06 off of Devonport, UK.
ReplyDeleteHope all ya all had a Merry Christmas. Also, anybody know the outcome of the Montpelier/San Jacinto collision? Maybe we have a firing hiatus!
ReplyDeleteMaybe no firing until 2013 to avoid driving the number up one more notch!
ReplyDeleteI find it hard to reconcile that the submarine force preaches that is "Holds Those Responsible for failures, especially for a Class A mishap like this that will prevent a deployment ACCOUNTABLE", for either intentional or mistaken failures, and have turned a blind eye to this CLUSTER FOXTROT.
ReplyDeleteI guess we've so degraded the Charge of Command at Sea to ensuring that the crew can make their squadron idiots happy, answer monitor watches quickly with BS bandaid fixes, over AVOIDING A COLLISION DURING PEACETIME!!!! ((Used to be THE CORNERSTONE GOAL of SCC ops (Command Training for COs), formerly headed by the current head of NR))
Just my 2 cents worth though....
^^^...said the CO(SS) selectee who has his SSN 756 letterhead stationery all picked out.
ReplyDeleteLast time I checked, the fundamental charter for Command at Sea in the Submarine Service during peacetime is not to "Scrape Paint"!
ReplyDeleteNot on a buoy, on the bottom, hard against the pier, and NEVER WHEN THE CO TAKES THE CONN TO GO TO PD WHEN FRUSTRATED! Clearly a failure of watchteam development, training, situational awareness, Command Leadership....shall I continue?
Just Say'in that I agree with 2 cents.
On the O-7 selection, the precepts this year has language for specific picks from the Financial Management Community and the Installation Command Community - so there is a possibility that one or both of those picks went to an 1120, increasing the total number picked. Could be good news for guys like Randy Crites (FM) and Rick Kitchens (Installation).
ReplyDeleteInteresting that both of these guys are not USNA grads and from what I hear, the board was also made up mostly of NON USNA GRADS this year. Curious to see the split and how it shakes out. Not Looking good for the Ring knockers this year..
ReplyDeleteRight, because part of the selection board oath is that you will only consider candidates from your own commissioning source. After all, it is the absolutely best way of grading performance and potential of others.
ReplyDeleteAnd by the way, two of the three 1120s on the board (Haney (Board President) and Hilarides) are USNA grads.
ReplyDeleteAs a fromer COMSUBGRU2 that would seem to help Merz, Parks and Clark... however, not hearing THAT was in fact the case.
ReplyDeleteWho still thinks that Parks still has a shot at flag on this current board? He's far too junior, an idiot cork sucker, clearly exactly the Submarine Force DOESN'T NEED in their Flag Ranks now or EVER.
ReplyDeleteUnless it's parks that's trying to sell himself on this blog (wouldn't surprise me at all)
Merz, Crites, Kitchen
ReplyDeleteNot Correct
ReplyDeleteNot at all? Or not completely?
ReplyDeleteAgree with 12:45.. wish people would keep their anon pieholes shut unless those pieholes do in fact know what they are talking about. That is all
ReplyDeleteWas there an AP pick this year? Who is in line for it if there was?
ReplyDeleteMy 2 Cents Said...
ReplyDeletehttp://www.navytimes.com/news/2013/01/ap-sub-commander-removed-montpelier-collision-010413/
Don't Scrape Paint!
Merz, Crites, Caudle
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