Careers

Submarine Warfare

The submarine community is rich with history and tradition, having contributed to national defense around the world for over a hundred years. Much of our heritage traces back to World War II. With most of the U.S. Pacific Fleet in ruins at Pearl Harbor, the submarine force surged into the fight. By the end of the war, the silent service, which comprised less than 2% of the U.S. Navy, had sunk 30% of the Japanese Navy and 55% of Japanese merchant shipping. Submariners punched above their weight, operating in enemy territory and enabling American victory in the Pacific. 
 
The United States submarine force, an acknowledged symbol of military excellence, is now poised to enter its second century of undersea dominance with the most highly trained people and advanced platforms in its history. Nuclear submarines, the product of American ingenuity and technological prowess, are unique assets whose unprecedented contribution to deterrence, conflict prevention, and warfighting will continue to be at the very foundation of our nation's security.
 
Midshipmen who select submarine warfare can look forward to a challenging career as a member of an elite, technically advanced, multi-mission community. Newly commissioned Ensigns will find themselves serving on board the most capable submarines in the world today and will:

• Lead and serve with some of the smartest, most highly trained sailors in the Navy
• Participate in missions that directly support national security objectives
• Undergo rigorous nuclear power training
• Be given immense responsibility, to include routinely serving as the ship’s Officer of the Deck, charged with supervising the safe operation of a $1+ billion warship and the safety of its entire crew
• Deploy around the world 

After demonstrating requisite academic ability and upon commissioning, every Ensign selected for submarine warfare will attend one year of advanced nuclear power training, starting with six months of classroom training at Nuclear Power School in Charleston, South Carolina. This is followed by six months of practical, hands-on training at one of the Navy's two shore-based reactor training facilities (Nuclear Power Training Units or NPTU) in upstate New York or Charleston, South Carolina.
 
Upon completion of Nuclear Power School and NPTU, you will attend a 12-week Submarine Officer Basic Course in New London, Connecticut. This period of instruction will provide you an opportunity to learn the theory and principles of submarine operation and control, the basic administrative responsibilities of a division officer, firefighting, damage control, weapons systems, and the fundamentals of submarine tactics.
 
You will then report to your first submarine, where you will be assigned as a division officer. In addition to leading a group of the Navy’s top enlisted sailors, you will begin your own personal submarine qualification program. The culmination of your studies is being awarded the coveted Gold Dolphins and being designated "Qualified in Submarines". This is the first of many rewarding career milestones which await you in the Silent Service.
 
For more on the submarine force’s proud service in World War II, visit https://navylive.dodlive.mil/2016/12/06/december-7th-1941-a-submarine-force-perspective/. More details on a career in submarines is available on the Navy’s main website.