A Note To Veterans From Big Jim
It’s early Sunday morning, and I’m sitting here with my coffee, thinking about Veterans Day. To give you some background, I spent eight years in the U.S. Naval Submarine Service onboard the missile submarine USS John C Calhoun (SSBN-630 blue crew). It was the greatest job I’ve ever had, and looking back now, I understand how it shaped me into the person I am today.
How did you wind up on a Submarine?
It’s the most commonly asked question, so here’s the honest answer: They were open.
After high school, I quickly realized that I didn’t really have a goal in life—no career that screamed out to me. Colleges were more about the football team than academics, and I was getting by okay without a lot of effort (in school, the counselor didn’t even know my name when I went to graduate, so I blended in well).
Friends of mine had all talked about going into the military (my dad was a Ranger in the Army during Korea), and I started thinking maybe the Air Force was my path. So why not the Air Force?
The recruiter wasn’t there. I went by the recruiting office in Lancaster, California, with my Mom, and he was out to lunch. The only guy there was with the Navy. I had a cousin in the Naval Submarine Service… but that never crossed my mind. I figured “couldn’t hurt” and talked with the Navy recruiter.
The next thing I know, I’m getting ready to take the ASVAB (Military entrance exam) and running every day to prepare for boot camp. That’s it. He sold me on the Navy, and I never went back to see the Air Force, dude.
(that’s me in the back with the glasses on)
Okay Cool, But Let’s Get To The Submarine before Veterans Day ends
Alright fine. I’ll get there. Here’s a couple of quick bullet points when it comes to my time in the Navy:
- I scored high on the ASVAB test, so they offered me Submarine service (a $1,500 bonus and pay grade increase sounded good).
- I chose radioman (RM) because the rate had lightning bolts for its insignia. That’s it. I’ve always loved the San Diego Chargers (screw you, Los Angeles), so I picked it out because of the logo.
- Boot camp and Radioman “A” school in San Diego was pretty easy – coolest thing there was the filming of some Navy movie with a short guy dressed up as a Lieutenant (Tom Cruise). The movie was “Top Gun” (we didn’t know it at the time – and I might have been in it)
- Reported to Submarine School in Groton, Ct. and they lost my seabag with all my stuff – spent the day in my dress blues. I bought new uniforms, and then it showed up. Not the best start.
- Submarine School was one of the most mentally demanding things I’ve ever experienced. I had coasted through school without doing homework (not bragging about how I roll). I couldn’t get away with that in Sub School. You went to class/simulators for 8 hours…then back in the classroom at night trying to figure out what the hell negative ballast was and the shapes of handles on alarms (so you could activate them in the dark)
- My follow-on training was held in a vault. Seriously. We handled some highly classified stuff, and it was actually in a giant vault. Maybe that’s why I don’t get too nervous when a song by Seger or Springsteen doesn’t fire off on-air.
Submarine Life
I spent over four years on the USS John C Calhoun (SSBN-630) as a member of the radio division (RM); it was the most amazing thing I’ve ever done. Six patrols in the Atlantic and just over a year of my life under the ocean (which probably explains a lot). A couple more notes:
- Qualifying for your Submarine dolphins was far and away the hardest thing I’ve ever done. To have a basic understanding of everything on a sub is overwhelming to think about – and you do this while still performing your assigned duties. I loved the challenge.
- My first chief was Master Chief Rodgriguez – one of the most passionate, personable people I have ever met. “Rod’s Ghetto Workshop” was the name on the door of our Radio Shack. Gibbs, Matthews, Graham, Stephenson, and Bruce Richards were all names that come to mind (later on, it’d be Gary Samples, Ronnie Nance, Ed Lasage, Jim Moon, John Krepps, and many more)
- Speaking of Rich. Bruce Richards saved me. He was hopelessly optimistic and funny. His ability to do his job at a high level inspired me to improve each shift. Rich was so much more than that – he was my friend and the anchor to show me how to approach life (no matter what). Rich had as much influence on me as any adult (including my parents). I don’t tell him this enough – but thank you, Rich, and I love you. You were there for me, and I can’t imagine life on the Calhoun without you.
Being A Veteran – Saying Thank You
I could keep going about submarine life and what it meant. But here’s a couple things that keep coming back into my mind:
- I’m proud to be a Veteran. I am proud of the men and women who signed that blank check and served.
- Submarine life made me who I am: Husband, Father, Employee, and Person. It taught me to be calm (fix the hole in the boat, THEN figure out what happened), gave me focus, and showed me what matters in life (family, friends, community, and work).
- Celebrate each day like we did on the boat. I still remember coming back after 76 days underwater, and the tug boat brought fresh apples—the most amazing food ever. (I’m smiling now, just thinking about it.)
God bless those who served and continue to serve. Take time to say “Thank You” or ask them about their time in the service and listen. I loved being in the Submarine Service. Proud to say I’m a Veteran. Always.
