- The recent selection for Commodore includes six Captains who are submariners. There were thirty line officers on this selection list, plus six more special duty officers. The six submarine Captains selected and their present jobs are:
CAPT Henry G. Chiles, Jr.
(COHSUBRON THREE, in San Diego)
CAPT Thomas W. Evans
(Deputy Director SSPO, PH1)
CAPT Dwaine O. Griffith
( Director of Deep SUbmergence Programs, OP 23)
CAPT Virgil L. Hill, Jr.
(COHSUBRON TWELVE, New London)
CAPT Wayne E. Rickman
(Special Assistant for the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program)
CAPT Larry G. Vogt
(COHSUBLANT Chief of Staff)
- Submarine Flag Officer moves include:
Commodore Ronald M. Eytchison – from Director Attack Submarine Division (OP-22) to Commander Submarine Group 8
Commodore Charles H. Brickell, Jr. – from Joint Chief of Start (Deputy Director NMCC) to Director, Undersea and Strategic Warfare & Nuclear Energy Development Division (OP-981)
Commodore J. Guy Reynolds – from Defense Intelligence Agency to Director, Attack SUbmarine Division (OP-22)
Commodore Stanley E. Bump – from Executive Assistant to Chief of Naval Material to Assistant VCHO/Director of Naval Administration (OP-09B)
Commodore John M. Kersh – from Chief of Staff SUBLANT to Commander Field Command DNA
Commodore Michael c. Colley – from Commander Submarine Squadron 2 to Director, Human Resources Management Division (OP-15)
- Recent retirements of Submarine Flag Officers:
Rear Admiral Paul D. Tomb (1 Oct.)
Rear Admiral Frederick W. Kelley (1 Nov.)
- Excerpted from an AP news release of 27 November: VADH Kauderer, COHSUBLANT, in a recent interview notes that, “Better pay and· more time ashore are checking the erosion of the Navy’s submarine officers. Five years ago”, he says, “the submarine force could retain only 33S of its officers past their obligation of about five years . . . . but the figure has risen to 47S and appears to be increasing by 3 to 4S annually. In the enlisted rates five years ago, the submarine force held on to 62J of their third-term career petty officers and chiefs. Today the figure is 81J.” Back to the officers: “Ten years ago we had such a poor retention rate we were losing people to civilian industry as fast as we got them. So competition for command right now is fairly small.” The AP release also quotes VADM Kauderer: “Today’s skipper of a Los Angeles-class attack submarine, usually a commander, earns about $61,000 annually. . . . which includes basic pay, command responsibility pay, sea pay, and a nuclear power bonus.
NSL EDUCATIONAL FILMS
The NSL has obtained for our members the use of several good 16 MM films in support of our educational objectives. These films have been selected for use with audiences which have little exposure to the u.s. Naval Submarine Service or have not been able to stay current on our newer weapon systems. They are mailed in an approved reuseable shipping package which after use needs only to be left in any u.s. Postal mail drop.
We ask that you time your requests so that the film is mailed about two (2) weeks before use and returned immediately thereafter. A short questionaire is included with each film. Your responses will determine our future approach in providing educational films.
The films are available by writing the NSL or calling Pat Lewis at (703) 256-0891.
FORTY ONE FOR FREEDOM (29 minutes)
Discusses the initial concept and rationale for a ballistic missile submarine. Portrays the effort to design, test, and operate the Polaris missile system. The film ends with the launching and deployment or WILL ROGERS (last or Polaris submarines). A rine historical overview or initial FBM development, this rilm is suitable tor an audience interested in how the SSBN rorce was conceived and developed.
ELITE FORCE (14 1/2 minutes)
Mr. Charlton Heston describes the opportunities that are available to qualiried college students and graduates in the Navy’s Nuclear Propulsion Officer Candidate program. (This is a recruiter oriented film.)
PRIDE RUNS DEEP (28 1/2 minutes)
Story of the Navy’s Submarine Force. Excellent photography. Provides the audience with a close-up look of the crew in action aboard an FBM submarine. This film conveys the deep sense of pride that is shared by all submariners.
THE CHALLENGE IS MET (26 minutes)
Describes tbe conversion of twelve Poseidon submarines to carry the Trident 1 missile. Discusses the necessity for the Trident submarine and follows missile development and ship construction through R & D. Follows USS OHIO through initial upkeep at Bangor, Washington, and ends with Trident on patrol. This film contains great shots or missile launches.
- From Commodore Stan Catola, CSG-6, comes a note telling how members of the Naval Submarine League can witness an SSBN launch of a ballistic missile during an SSBN’s “demonstration and shakedown operation off Cape Canaveral . . . . “A surface ship accompanies the submarine to sea on the day of the missile launch — leaving early in the morning and returning to port late that night. If space permits, visitors are invited to ride on this support ship. To get on the waiting list and obtain more details of this opportunity, call the Navy Office at Port Canaveral, (305) 853-7951.”