Jack Leblond » Navy

Submarine Sailors – Why They Behave That Way

Jack Leblond — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 02:31:30 +0000

The article below was written by Dr. Joyce Brothers in 1963 after the loss of the USS Thresher and the 129 men aboard her. It attempts to explain the reasons that Submarine sailors are who and what they are.

My days in the Submarine Service are among the finest in my memories. As Dr. Brothers explains below, all of us learned that we could count and be counted on by our shipmates – at sea and in port. I considered many of them my family, my brothers.

Risk is an Inspiration in Submarine Service

The tragic loss of the submarine Thresher and 129 men had a special kind of impact on the nation … a special kind of sadness, mixed with universal admiration for the men who choose this type of work.

One could not mention the Thresher without observing, in the same breath how utterly final and alone the end is when a ship dies at the bottom of the sea … and what a remarkable specimen of man it must be to accept such a risk.

Most of us might be moved to conclude, too, that a tragedy of this kind would have a damaging effect on the morale of the other men in the submarine service and tend to discourage future enlistments. Actually, there is no evidence that this is so.

What is it, then, that lures men to careers in which they spend so much of their time in cramped quarters, under great psychological stress, with danger lurking all about them?

Bond Among Them

Togetherness is an overworked term, but in no other branch of our military service is it given such full meaning as in the so-called “Silent Service.”

In an undersea craft, each man is totally dependent upon the skill of every other man in the crew, not only for top performance but for actual survival. Each knows that his very life depends on the others and because this is so, there is a bond among them that both challenges and comforts them.

All of this gives the submariner a special feeling of pride, because he is indeed a member of an elite corps. The risks, then, are an inspiration, rather than a deterrent.

The challenge of masculinity is another factor which attracts men to serve on submarines. It certainly is a test of a man’s prowess and power to know that he can qualify for this highly selective service. However, it should be emphasized that this desire to prove masculinity is not pathological, as it might be in certain dare-devil pursuits, such as driving a motorcycle through a flaming hoop.

Emotionally Healthy

There is nothing dare-devilish about the motivations of the man who decides to dedicate his life to the submarine service. He does, indeed, take pride in demonstrating that he is quite a man, but he does not do so to practice a form of foolhardy brinksmanship, to see how close he can get to failure and still snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

On the contrary, the aim in the submarine service is to battle the danger, minimize the risk, to take every measure to make certain that safety rather than danger, is maintained at all times.

Are the men in submarines braver than those in other pursuits where the possibility of sudden tragedy is not constant? The glib answer would be that they are. It is much more accurate, from a psychological point of view, to say that they are not necessarily braver, but that they are men who have a little more insight into themselves and their capabilities.

They know themselves a little better than the next man. This has to be so with men who have a healthy reason to volunteer for such risk. They are generally a cut healthier emotionally than others of similar age and background because of their willingness to push themselves a little bit farther and not settle for an easier kind of existence.

We all have tremendous capabilities but are rarely straining at the upper level of what we can do; these men are.

The country can be proud and grateful that so many of its sound, young, eager men care enough about their own status in life – and the welfare of their country – to pool their skills and match them collectively against the power of the sea.

I am proud to say I was one of the few that can call themselves “Submarine Sailors.” If you have been one yourself, or are considering a tour, you may enjoy a few stories from my days in the Submarine service and aboard the finest boat in the fleet, the USS Helena (SSN 725). HAHDF!

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Submarine Sailors – Why They Behave That Way

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USS Helena – Stories From The Book, pt. 11

Jack Leblond — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 04:37:41 +0000

Part 11 – We have no idea how, but we manage to have a major piece of our sonar gear fall off the ship. We joke that it was somebody from the Russian ship. It does make for an exciting few minutes as water rushes in the hole where the equipment used to be – but we survive to fight another day.

And so our saga continues, our little band traveling along hard, fast and deep. The Admirals eyes wide with anticipations, for we all know, we would have only a mere 11 seconds to react to an all out frontal assault, but somehow – something slipped the watchful eyes of the rotund one. For as the rest of us lay nestled in our beds, someone or something (communist we are convinced) snuck up behind us and slipped away with the entire towed array.

What

Ah, comrade we steal towed array

Good-bye towed array

Part 12 – Coming soon…

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USS Helena – Stories From The Book, pt. 11

USS Helena – Stories from the book, pt. 10

Jack Leblond — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 04:24:36 +0000

Part Ten – We are still in Curacao, a Russian freighter was docked on the same pier as us – who thought that would work? A couple brave soles mustered the courage to visit the Russian ship and swap some gear. Too bad for them that the top-side watch on our boat that night was a bit over-zealous and turned them in when they returned.

Underway once again, our heroes suspect traitors aboard their lustrous boat. It was brought to the attention of our heroes that certain crew member gave away the holy ball cap of omniscience to representatives of the evil empire. In return, these crew members tried to smuggle the banner of ultimate evil on board in an attempt to stray our heroes from their valorous mission. Fortunately our heroes foil the plot of the dastardly crew members and plan their punishment for another day.

Helena boys trade caps for flags

Part 11 – Good bye towed array

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USS Helena – Stories from the book, pt. 10

USS Helena – Stories from the book, pt. 9

Jack Leblond — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 04:21:35 +0000

Part Nine – On our way around to Pearl we expected to stop at all kinds of great places. We did not expect Curacao. It’s a lot like a studio movie lot. If you are on the pier where cruise ships dock – wow, gorgeous. If you are on the pier where nuclear Submarines dock….Um, what’s the smell? Our recreation officer feared a mutiny if something wasn’t done quickly, so he arranged a trip to a lake that rented sail boats and other “fun stuff”. Not all of us know how to sail. I’ll leave it at that. I will say I think the “incident” may have been Karma biting somebody in the butt for giving driving random directions while nearly passed-out in the back seat of a moving car. You know who you are.

Unbelievably our heroes make it safely to the gem of the Caribbean, Curacao. Pulling up to the pier, our heroes are momentarily confused, but are told that the island is indeed a Dutch Pleasure Isle and not Trenton New Jersey! Well, more drinking ensued and around the third day , our heroes decide to put to sea, but this time under sail.

Bob is NOT a sailboat sailor

Part 10 – No trade with Russians

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USS Helena – Stories from the book, pt. 9

USS Helena – Stories from the book, pt. 8

Jack Leblond — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 04:18:10 +0000

Part eight – Understandably, any fire is bad. But a fire on a Submarine is VERY bad. And, if that fire is in the area of the boat that helps us know where we are…well, you get the idea. When Sonar guys think that’s the case – we move fast to fight it.

And so our saga continues, with our clan traveling merrily along still swelled with pride from their recent victories over the infamous mark 30 targets. When suddenly in less time than it takes a sonar man to hit the rack – they are engulfed in smoke and the word was passed “fire in the sacred CSES.” The first thought of all was – NO! not before a liberty port! But two of the group, quick to react with no worry of life or limb rush to combat the casualty. Knowing that at any minute they could be “OVER COME” by SMOKE! Then they discover there is NO FIRE, it was just the cooks destroying another meal… And it was back to normal again.

Fire in the equipment space

Part 9 – Bob is NOT a sailor

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USS Helena – Stories from the book, pt. 8

USS Helena – Stories from the book, pt. 7

Jack Leblond — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 04:03:19 +0000

Part seven – We survived the port call, just barely. Our top guy was still suffering from all of his “fun”, and missed the morning muster. Thankfully, we were just so good at our jobs that even hungover we managed to hit most of of target during weapons tests.

It was the day after the big port call and all was well with the off-going duty section personnel. All the boys who went out the night before weren’t hating life, just wondering if they should continue with life at all. The oncoming duty section was mustered in control except for the Admiral who forgot to put in a wake up call.

Well the big day finally comes, our heroes defy the odds and despite having to work with the Admiral (who by his own admission is the only person in the division who does anything right) the boys pull off admirable an feat, three out of five hits.

Part 8 – Fire in the sonar equipment space

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USS Helena – Stories from the book, pt. 7

USS Helena – Stories from the book, pt. 6

Jack Leblond — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 03:56:46 +0000

Part six – well, not much to say here. My good friend Larry, had a good time at the clubs.

Larry Boofante endures the blonde bombshells in brave silence….

Part 7 – Weapons trials with the Admiral

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USS Helena – Stories from the book, pt. 6

USS Helena – Stories from the book, pt. 5

Jack Leblond — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 03:54:07 +0000

Part five – We have been looking forward to this port call ever since we left Groton. Our top guy has been telling the most tales about how great it is and how much fun we will have. There turned out to be just one problem…our top guy turned out to be full of crap, and even worse a serious light-weight when it cam to holding his alcohol.

The Admiral Passes Out

Well after an intense at-sea period. Our Heroes finally get the kind of liberty they deserve, Cocoa beach!! The party began! Women, Wine Song and Various other unimaginable activities in the middle of every thing, at the exact moment when the festivities were at a fever pitch, the admiral falls asleep.

Part 6 – Larry’s brave silence

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USS Helena – Stories from the book, pt. 5

USS Helena – Stories from the book, pt. 4

Jack Leblond — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 03:49:12 +0000

Part four – Our top guy was beginning to feel some stress, I’m sure we didn’t help matters any by constantly moving things around on him. Thankfully, he got himself moved out of the area to go bug others.

Another watch with the Admiral

And as it was foretold, the king bestowed the instant knowledge upon one of us. And not a moment to soon for the rotund one was on the edge of his wits and contemplating murdering the entire clan, we all believe he suspected a conspiracy against him. At the very least, he was losing his mind.

Part 5 – The Admiral passes out

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USS Helena – Stories from the book, pt. 4

USS Helena – Stories from the Book, pt. 3

Jack Leblond — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 03:36:27 +0000

Part three, the Sonar crew is starting to think (day dream) about the upcoming visit to Port Canaveral, Fl and the clubs we have been told about. Well, I hope that’s a daydream about Florida and not my sister.

Daydreaming on the job..yeah, it happens.

Delusions of a class operator————

And a broad band operator————

And a PNG Operator ————-

And a WS Operator——-

Daydreams of a Sonar Operator

Part 4 – Stressing the big guy

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USS Helena – Stories from the Book, pt. 3

Jack Leblond » Navy

Submarine Sailors – Why They Behave That Way

Risk is an Inspiration in Submarine Service

Bond Among Them

Emotionally Healthy

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