In the mid-197Es, I was assigned under VADM Chuck Griffiths (OP 02) as Trident Program Coordinator and Director Strategic Submarine Division (OP 21). Later, I also assumed the Deputy (OP 02B) billet. The pace of operations was normal, just a few eye-openers each day.
On one of those days, we received a call from Bill Wegner, the Na- val Reactors Deputy (NAVSEA 08B) in Admiral Rickover’s headquar- ters. The purpose of the call was to inform Admiral Griffiths and me that he was requesting our attendance at a special “non-conference” at the Washington Navy Yard for a few days. He also informed us that the conference agenda would be offered at the initial meeting. Our concern factor peaked, so, with much anticipation, we awaited the two- possibly three-day meeting. Our worry was what possible topic could Bill Wegn- er have in mind for this non-attributable gathering.
The meeting opened with no written agenda nor guidance statement from Admiral Rickover. In fact, Rickover’s name was never mentioned. Bill Wegner introduced the meeting with a several hour examination of the current role of the Navy Public Relations branch in OPNAV. Sev- eral case histories of their products and mission were mentioned and examined. Later, we discussed how they were often not organizationally aware of newly discussed or planned new Navy products or capabili- ties. All public relations aspects or needs of Navy developments were discussed and examined for awareness, security, and other potential fac- tors. Day one was completed. Where to the next day?
Day two! Bill Wegner reviewed our progress from the previous day’s format and proceeded to discuss in detail the many needs for in- formation within the Navy, which included contractors, voters, recruit- ment, political, and short- and long-term security aspects. And last, but not least, he brought up the Congress, which was the final money source. With this stimulation, we entered into heated discussions, albeit with many facts but little experience. We obviously did not discuss nor reach any factual conclusions.
Day threeC After a very thorough review of the first two days’ prog- ress, Bill Wegner discussed SEA 08’s past and future efforts; their rea-sonable and current attempts to selectively inform the various mentioned recipients with just the right amount of information, at the right level, content, audience, timing, and with the right authority. Many ideas, ap- proaches, and questions were explored. And quite suddenly, the meeting was ended. Admiral Griffiths and I were thanked for our ideas, thoughts, and spontaneity.
I continued to get short three-hour notice invitations to accompa- ny Admiral Rickover on his airline travels in the United States, until I retired from the Navy in September 1980. These became interesting. I always waited for the subject of Public Relations to surface, but they never did. If the Kind Old Gentleman, i.e. Rickover, only knew how much and how often I remembered the Wegner meetings and contem- plated the right solutions. I knew there was a solution and I started a systematic search for it. First, I would investigate the roles and missions of various Washington-based organizations and analyze their modus operandi. I started my Consulting Business to give me income and time to assimilate the information that I was collecting.
After a few months and many visits, the answer came to me during one of my normal 3:30 am inspirational awakenings. I decided the skel- eton for structure of the submarine organization was to use the modus operandi of the Naval Aviation community––just eliminate their weak factors and document Submarine Force needs. Now, I needed to assimi- late a group to give me flexibility both with time and income. God pro- vided me both.
I met with Woody Ramsey, a Naval Academy Class of ’52 class- mate, and Jim Austin, who headed the APL Submarine Division. Both strongly encouraged me to GO FOR BROKE. Now to assimilate the solutions that Bill Wegner identified five years before. My first step was to brief Admirals Al Whittle and Jack Williams and get them onboard. Both were completely supportive and agreed to step in whenever it was appropriate.
Now it was time to originate the organizational paper work. But first, I destroyed my many Wegner non-conference notes as they were no longer pertinent, except to jig the need for all submariners to produce a national coordinated publicity and informational effort. I felt that I was destined to help accomplish this end. So be it.
Next, I met with Vice Admirals Shannon Cramer and Chuck Grif- fiths, where I proposed the setup of the Naval Submarine League. I received their positive support. I proceeded to draft the necessary or- ganizational documents. At that time, I was a consultant at American Systems Corporation, and Woody Ramsey gave me the leeway to pro- ceed at his expense. So, I continued to gather relevant documents from similar groups and began to cut and paste.
From the start, we always kept the Symposium content unclassified and open to all. We held our classified NSL briefings for contractors at Applied Physics Laboratory to protect the level of national operations and equipment. Admiral Whittle and I knew that there would be some individuals who would like to keep all submarine matters and support submerged.
As an OBTW, we later found out that the Air Force leaders were always looking for means to counter our growing Navy FBM program. They later acknowledged that our “Submarine Review” publication and its openness countered many of their concerns that the Submariners were hiding and lying about submarine invulnerabilities. Telling the truth works.
One of the early concepts that was proposed was that the NSL should be able to do short notice and independent research on matters of submarine warfare and capabilities. What Al Whittle wanted, and Jack Williams endorsed, was an ability for NSL to take on studies or paper research of matters that the Navy, as a corporate group, may not do, as it may affect budget or other issues or issues not endorsed by the highest levels. Admiral Bob Long, as Whittle’s successor, also strongly endorsed the concept.
The plan was to have a Secure Study Space area as part of the NSL, so it could provide functional support, typing, paper, computers, and so on. These elemental studies were done for Admiral Steve White as COMSUBLANT on Robotic Vessels, and then for Admiral Bud Kaud- erer, also at SUBLANT, on Over-The-Horizon targeting for the employ- ment of Anti-ship Cruise Missiles.
The idea was similar to Rickover’s having OP02 convene a Sub- marine Characteristic Board to which he assigned experienced nuclear submariners like Don Hall, Guy Shaffer, Al Kelln, and several more,for six weeks of digging, thinking, and researching new ideas, and in- terviewing thinkers and industry to postulate the characteristics of next SSN and Trident Classes. With this data, Rickover had the initiative on a new design and the Congress appreciated it.
Admiral Long’s favorite task for this capability was that he needed valid and timely talking points for his quarterly meetings with SEC- DEF. He especially liked the idea of adding the evolving cruise missiles launch capability to the attack submarine inventory. History proves that Long’s vision was valid and necessary. Other senior officers also wel- comed a first iteration in-house study of characteristics in their hands before NAVSEA gave millions to a shipyard to do the same thing. This becomes a great proof of principle, and check and agreement document for our seniors to use before they make large commitments.
Let there be no thoughts that my effort alone was key to the success of the Naval Submarine League. First off, I need to give my highest accolades to Pat Lewis. She was involved from the very beginning. Pat had lost her husband, Rear Admiral Dick Lewis, and needed a mission to focus upon. Since NSL had no significant income for the first years, Pat provided her large basement pro bono for a decade to be the offices of the NSL. In addition, she typed every page of the “Submarine Review” that editor Bill Ruhe provided her. The “Submarine Review” publication became the voice of the NSL and was part of the effort that Bill Wegner had asked for seven years before. This involved typing for hours most every night after office hours. Her dedication to the success of NSL will forever be honored. And in addition to her official efforts as Office Man- ager, Pat will also be remembered for her delightful voice as she sang God Bless America at the opening of every Symposium for at least ten years.
Also noteworthy is the effort of VADM Phil Beshany in naming the League. Several titles were suggested, but Phil, in a moment of clarity, suggested the descriptive title “Naval Submarine League” to be short and dead on for our mission. Another critical contributor in charge of our efforts to have a clear and comprehensive charter was Lou Urbanczyk. The effort to establish the NSL was started in October 1980. There was one general meeting held at the Navy Yard that year. Another series of general meetings were held in 1981 in Woody Ramsey’s conference room at ASC. The initial Board of Directors were A.J. Whittle, Shan- non Cramer, Charles Griffiths, Lawson Ramage, James Keane, Sanford Levey, Forest Ramsey and Albert Kelln. I also served as League Secre- tary with the help of Jason Law and Jim Murray.
As the Founder of the Naval Submarine League, I always prayed for its success and wisdom for its leaders. I purposely wrote the NSL By-Laws to limit any individual to a total of eight years on the Board of Directors or Leadership to keep our ideas fresh. I applaud Earl Griggs for his continued legal advice and oversight for the NSL. GOD BLESS ALL THE NSL LEADERS.
In summary, I fully agreed then, and I do now, on the direction of NSL Leadership. I also agree with Admiral Richardson (CNO) with his 2018 comments about the Navy’s lack of success in telling the general public why our nation needs a powerful Navy. My prayer is that the NSL continues as one vehicle to do just that, over and over again.
Naval Submarine League
First Board of Directors August 1982-May 198D
Jim Murray (Publisher), Bill Ruhe (Editor), Al Kelln, Jim Keane, Sandy Levey, Forrest Ramsey, Jason Law Red Ramage, Chuck Griffiths, Al Whittle, Shannon Cramer, Pat Lewis (Office Manager)
(Not present- Bill Pugh)
