The work that Mr. Ferraro does at NUWC is largely removed from the realities faced by the Navy and military at large, since it is primarily a research and development organization. Specifically, within the area at NUWC he supports, they work closely with sensors and sonar systems. They do not get to experience the feeling of the sea on their face, the wind in their hair, or the loud thud of a watertight bulkhead closing behind them. 

Mr. Ferraro keeps in the forefront of his mind that the sailors live with this as a daily reality. His attendance at the commissioning ceremony was multifaceted: to gain an appreciation for the people they support, the sailors; to see a modern nuclear submarine up close; to validate his current educational goals; and to experience a time-honored tradition that dates back to 1775. 

The Submarine

Walking up to Pier 9 at Naval Submarine Station New London in Groton, Connecticut, his first glance of the submarine was impressive. People were lining up to take photos. A gangplank arched across to her midsection from shore, with the South Dakotan flag proudly displayed on her conning tower. Although at rest, she looked like an animal ready to pounce, about to be released from her cage. The Navy Band was playing various John Philip Sousa marches, and officers and enlisted men both spoke with family and interacted with the crowd. Federal, state and military officials from the Navy, South Dakota, and federal government sat on the stage ready to deliver speeches to the assembled crowd.

The scene was intoxicating. It swelled in him a pride that he could only describe as being uniquely, unapologetically American. He is no stranger to pomp and circumstance, either. As a service member in the Army Reserve, he knows all too well what is asked of our service members, and the ceremony was a fitting introduction for the boat itself, and a sendoff for the crew. As he looked towards the submarine, his thoughts dwelled on the sailors, many of them young kids. They were saying goodbye to loved ones, friends and relatives, about to embark on 6 months of deterrence patrols. In our modern operating environment, with state actors rising to challenge our way of life and influence world affairs with their own less scrupulous agendas, these patrols are more important than ever in securing freedom of the seas. There is nothing quite like having a submarine knocking at your doorstep to keep you in line.

The speeches from officers and civilian leaders emphasized the role South Dakota would play. As the most modern Virginia-class, she was outfitted with the latest technology, incorporating both class-specific and Ohio-class instruments to make her exceptionally lethal. She would be responsible for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and special operations missions. Once the order was given from the commanding officer, the sailors manned their stations, in a well-rehearsed and executed ballet of technical mastery and proper training. The submarine’s fog horn blared, the sirens echoed, and the antenna raised in a show of power and force. As he sat there, he could not believe this ship operated in such an austere and dark environment under the ocean. It was a sight to behold.

With the official ceremony complete, employees and family members were encouraged to tour the vessel. Throughout his childhood, AJ had visited several submarine museums local to New England, including the World War II-era USS Lionfish at Battleship Cove in Massachusetts, and the Cold War-era USS Albacore research submarine in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The prospect of seeing a new, active-duty submarine was too good to pass up. Others thought so as well, and he ended up waiting an hour and a half in order to get into the ship itself. The wait, however, was well worth it once inside.

 The galley, CO’s office, command room, and acoustic telemetry displays were open to the public, and were impressive to see. He took particular note and interest in the acoustic systems, since at NUWC, he supports management within the acoustic research and development mission. Acoustics is also a big sub-discipline within his continued collegiate education in marine science, oceanography, and biology. As a future ocean scientist, witnessing the result of the collaboration between Navy researchers, scientists, civilian enterprise, and manufacturing in producing one of the deadliest war vehicles ever devised was heartwarming. Knowing that he played a part in its development, in a very small role at Thor Solutions, instilled AJ with pride as he worked his way through the enclosed and small spaces of the ship.

It was an awesome event. AJ highly recommends anyone who works within the undersea domain at THOR to go to a future ceremony. The United States has led the way in submarine design and manufacturing since its founding, with many historical firsts, and the future looks bright for submarine warfare. He looks forward to the future of maritime defense as more advanced ships, namely the Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine, is added to America’s arsenal. The Navy will continue to lead the way and defend freedom on the maritime front against competitors, and as a leader within the land warfare domain, knowing American interests are guarded by these vessels on the ocean-front is soothing.