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At random: Insignia of the Navy's submarine service is a submarine flanked by two dolphins. Dolphins, or porpoises, the traditional attendants to Poseidon, Greek God of the Sea and patron deity of sailors, are symbolic of a calm sea, and are sometimes called the 'sailors' friend. In addition to the Dolphins, those World War II submariners who participated in successful combat patrols may wear the coveted Submarine Combat Insignia.

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Forums-> How I Got Into Submarines	Message format

Coyote

Posted 2009-04-07 10:56 PM (#25626)

Master and Commander

Posts: 1128

Location: NE Florida

Subject: Timing is everything

I enlisted in Dec 57 and went thru boot at Great Lakes. The career advisor (remember him?) looked at my record and asked if I knew Herk Wise. I told him I bowled with Herk and that he was still doing well. The advisor had me take his name and tell Herk to call; I relayed that message on boot leave. Turned out they'd been shipmates on a cruiser in WWII.

The advisor then had me sent to sonar school at Key West, saying this was a coming rating and my scores supported it. The school was destroyer-oriented and not too hard. At-sea phases on PC's and DE's were part of the course. The top two people in each class were allowed to ask for submarines or helicopter duty. I was #2 (never could catch that guy).

One evening I was strolling down the line of submarines and decided to ask for a walk-thru. I picked Trumpetfish (SS425) and asked the topside watch if a walk-thru could be arranged. A few minutes later a third-class sonarman popped up and took me through the boat. It looked tight but clean and interesting.... the crews mess had a movie going... the after engine room had a couple of snipes cleaning up after an inspection plate got loose and filled the place with soot... a guy in maneuvering was under instruction on sticks...

It didn't look bad to me, so I applied. TBTG, I was accepted and headed for New London after graduation.

DBF Coyote

Edited by Coyote 2009-04-07 10:59 PM

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