Keeping the blogosphere posted on the goings on of the world of submarines since late 2004... and mocking and belittling general foolishness wherever it may be found. Idaho's first and foremost submarine blog. (If you don't like something on this blog, please E-mail me; don't call me at home.)
Saturday, September 07, 2013
USS Minnesota (SSN 783) Joins The Fleet
Welcome aboard, USS Minnesota! Here's a link to the video of the commissioning ceremony.
Nothing like a commissioning to remind the taxpayers & crew members that Alpha trials, a change of home port and a lengthy post shakedown ability are just around the corner.
Say hello to sunny Groton, CT and some quality time in one of EB's luxurious graving docks.
It's never easy for a new submarine to come into the world. But EB & SUPSHIP Groton do a pretty darn good job of making the transition as smooth as possible.
It never gets old seeing a junior nuke give you a deer-in-headlights look when the lightbulb goes off and they realize that submarines aren't just mobile training platforms for future careers in nuclear utility plants.
Usually happens after ORSE when no one important cares about nuke land anymore for the next 9 months unless something breaks.
Only about 5-6% of former submarine officers go to work for utilities. If they joined the Navy for that job, 95% decide to do otherwise. Might be a clue.
I said nukes. The officers tend to understand that the ship exists to put warheads on foreheads. If they don't, they find out real quick when starting to qualify.
I joined the nuke navy for the bonus. I quickly learned the extra pay and SRBs did not really equal civvie "overtime" pay but I did find operating the plant cool and I learned alot about project planning. After 12 years in the sub force I moved on into a O-gang spot (non-nuke). After 15 years there I'm in the civvie world doing something entirely different. I make good money and am happy to have served. What the nuke Navy taught me - How to learn and think critically, How to qualify, How to adapt.
OK, so that ship's crest is pretty badass.
ReplyDeleteBecause USS Minnesota is good enough, smart enough, and doggone it, people like her.
ReplyDeleteMinnesooooooota
ReplyDeleteThe land of lutefisk and Copenhagen snuff. Best wishes and good luck.
ReplyDeleteNothing like a commissioning to remind the taxpayers & crew members that Alpha trials, a change of home port and a lengthy post shakedown ability are just around the corner.
ReplyDeleteSay hello to sunny Groton, CT and some quality time in one of EB's luxurious graving docks.
It's never easy for a new submarine to come into the world. But EB & SUPSHIP Groton do a pretty darn good job of making the transition as smooth as possible.
Best of luck to the '83.
Who is the CO and COB?
ReplyDeleteCO is CAPT John Fancher.
ReplyDeleteCOB is ETCM (SS) Randy Reid.
Dirty Dog,
ReplyDeleteA better question whould be,"Who is the EDMC." We all know the forward end of the boat is just there so the nukes have somewhere to sleep.
;)
Oh that's right I forgot the Nuke plant is the reason we go to sea. So when are we going to launch some steam generator blowdowns into Syria?
ReplyDeleteNow get back aft and push!
It never gets old seeing a junior nuke give you a deer-in-headlights look when the lightbulb goes off and they realize that submarines aren't just mobile training platforms for future careers in nuclear utility plants.
ReplyDeleteUsually happens after ORSE when no one important cares about nuke land anymore for the next 9 months unless something breaks.
Only about 5-6% of former submarine officers go to work for utilities. If they joined the Navy for that job, 95% decide to do otherwise. Might be a clue.
ReplyDeleteI said nukes. The officers tend to understand that the ship exists to put warheads on foreheads. If they don't, they find out real quick when starting to qualify.
ReplyDeleteI joined the nuke navy for the bonus. I quickly learned the extra pay and SRBs did not really equal civvie "overtime" pay but I did find operating the plant cool and I learned alot about project planning.
ReplyDeleteAfter 12 years in the sub force I moved on into a O-gang spot (non-nuke). After 15 years there I'm in the civvie world doing something entirely different.
I make good money and am happy to have served.
What the nuke Navy taught me -
How to learn and think critically,
How to qualify,
How to adapt.
I have no problems with gays or females serving on submarines, but that 'hop-ya' at the end of the video was embarrassing.
ReplyDelete