Government

Military Service Under the Sea

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An outing on a state-of-the-art submarine is a more than a lesson on how our military serves our country at sea; it provides insight into the unique characteristics and challenges of living while submerged under the ocean waters.

The Navy hosted a short trip aboard a nuclear-powered submarine to County and other regional emergency operations staff in preparation for regional emergency drills to take place in the coming months.

The tour was provided by the crew of the USS Hampton, a nuclear-powered fast attack submarine – and when they say fast, they mean it. They noted that a diesel-powered sub visiting from Chile had to travel almost a month to reach San Diego. The same trip would take the USS Hampton just a few days.

The crew also has to live daily life on fast-forward due to the confined space on the sub, or “boat” as they call it. The dining area is small, requiring each person in the 130-person crew to eat his meal in five to ten minutes to make way for the next group. Laundry time is scheduled for an hour a week, with each person sharing just one modest-sized washer and dryer.

Efficiency is key in a confined space. At 360-feet long, the submarine is impressive, but living in such a small area requires creativity. Every wall has a panel or pull that reveals a new purpose, such as a desk or monitor. Even the commander and his officers share living quarters. One space shared by three officers measures about the size of a typical office cubicle and was described by a crew member as “the lap of luxury,” compared to general berthing areas that have sleeping spaces stacked three high and three deep. Even the torpedo room doubles as a bedroom. Mattresses are perched on metal shelves, and a wraparound curtain hangs above to dim the light.

When asked why the crew members choose to live in such unusual conditions, the tour guide cited camaraderie. Each person on board gets to know each other and understand their critical contribution to the team. Serving on a nuclear-powered submarine also provides a chance to get hands-on, high-tech experience early in their military careers. The average age on the USS Hampton is 24 years old; the Commander is the oldest of the crew at just 42. They have been educated in nuclear engineering and other impressive fields and are responsible for more than $5 million dollars in equipment.

A brochure provided on the tour said “A submarine at sea is a different world in herself.” For the civilians on the submarine, it is a statement much better understood after traveling 650 feet under the sea.