A single U.S. Ohio class sub can destroy a Country, page 2

posted on Apr, 12 2009 @ 10:25 PM

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Originally posted by rogue1
Would they launch ? Of course they will, they are conditioned and brainwashed not to think about the consequences. People with individual tendencies tend to be excluded from jobs such as this. I like that movie Cromson Tide.

You seem to know an awful lot considering you've probably never set foot on an SSBN ? The boat's job is deterrence. Of course the crew is trained to fulfill that duty.

People with individual tendencies tend to be excluded ? Hah. Submariners are among the most colorful individuals serving in uniform. The performance and intellectual standards are high. I doubt there is another enlisted military force anywhere, with as many bright and educated people as the submarine service. Crimson Tide was a good movie but not very realistic. Pure hollywood entertainment.

SSBNs are probably the most vital defense system. It's evident in the extra money and support over SSNs. No slack in a fast attack, no pride in a trident ride.

Actually that saying is out of jealousy more than anything. SSBNs have it easy compared to SSN crews.

USamf

posted on Apr, 12 2009 @ 11:17 PM

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reply to post by Schaden

Yeah I have been reading up on qualifications, they are pretty steep. You have to have a 4 year degree in math, science, engineering or technology like computers. You also have to take a calculus and physics test, as well as be as fit as a U.S. Marine.

Zaphod58

posted on Apr, 12 2009 @ 11:20 PM

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reply to post by USamf

It's a fine line to walk. The commanders have to be smart enough to be able to plot a 3 dimensional course, think fast to get away from someone chasing them, KNOW what the weapons they're carrying can do so they don't shoot them just because their wife left them, and yet be able to shoot them as necessary.

Finding SSBN officers can be one of the hardest things the military has to do.

orangetom1999

posted on Apr, 12 2009 @ 11:23 PM

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reply to post by Schaden

Schaden,

Great so see your post again,

Submariners are among the most colorful individuals serving in uniform. The performance and intellectual standards are high. I doubt there is another enlisted military force anywhere, with as many bright and educated people as the submarine service.

I have probably made this statement before but will do so for this board and those who have not read it.

Many years ago when this yard was finishing and close to the delivery of the Nuclear Cruiser..CGN 41 the USS Arkansas, I had the opportunity to work the weekend as they were short sufficient people for this overtime task.
For about 6 years I had been working 637 class fast attacks and on to the early 688 class boats. When you have been around submarine sailors for awhile..and then go onto a surface ship...the caliber of the average sailor is immediately apparent. I was so stunned by the obvious difference that I had to remember what kind of boat on which I was working overtime.
You could just tell something was very different in the men serving on this ship. I have never forgotten this exprience and I've had numerous opportunities to have this verified even on Aircraft carriers.

On occasion even on carriers I see sailors who have their dolphins. I spot this very quickly. It always stands out quickly in my mind. The cut ..the caliber.
It has been a privelege and education to know and work with such caliber of sailors.

Fair winds sailor,
Orangetom

Oh..and post script here.

I did not particularly like Crimson Tide at all. Nor Hunt for Red October though I thought it better than Crimson Tide.

The submarine movie I enjoyed the best was ironically a foreign film titled
The Boat..or Das Boot. I was surprised to find a number of 688 sailors who enjoyed it as well.

Schaden

posted on Apr, 13 2009 @ 03:05 AM
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Someone usually pulled Das Boot out of the movie locker once a deployment.
Certainly puts into perspective the horrors of war.

The worst part of Crimson Tide was the Skipper's pet dog. Give me a *$^@ break.

SSBNs really are the crown jewels. When something breaks and they pull into port, there is a tiger team of support people to get it fixed ASAP. When something breaks on an SSN, someone is likely to get served. Always a struggle to get everything you need from squadron. We've been to sea on local ops for weeks. Go back to homeport for a weekend to get parts and supplies and half the engineering dept never got liberty because they're working 24/7 to fix ________. Then back at it for a week to a month. Really crappy when you're married. SSBNs are nice and regimented. You know a year in advance what days you'll be at sea and what your work and training schedule will entail. They get more optar money, more of everything, exercise equipment, endless chow perks. Only bad thing to say about SSBN service is they almost never visit foreign ports. Puerto Rico at best.

In typical scenarios, SSNs are operated with far more at risk. They're the tip of the spear. SSBNs are the ultimate insurance policy. I've "heard" of cases where SSNs operated in conditions in contravention of NAVSEA-08 and other force level operating guides/instructions. They leave it all to the CO's discretion. The Submarine CO culture looks down on missing sea days due to material issues. I guess they figure they need to give the taxpayers their moneys worth. It's amazing how much power and responsibility the commanding officer of a nuclear submarine, or any large combatant vessel holds. At sea, they're pretty much God. All line officers have a number of ascension. It's serial, so if the CO/XO are killed and two officers of equal rank remain, they know who takes command. I believe the lower the number, the more senior. On subs, the chain of command goes CO, XO, ENG.

[edit on 13-4-2009 by Schaden]