Nukes, Nubs And Coners: The Unique Social Hierarchy Aboard A Nuclear Submarine

Having served on four “boomers,” two attack subs, and one nuclear cruiser. I can attest to the validity of this article. This presents the opportunity to regale you with a sea story. During time under the “med.” Our unnamed XO had a map showing our location of this unnamed sub. The location of an under-way sub was top secret, this was highly unusual. Who were we going to tell? Someone moved the miniature sub. The XO published a POD, monographed for the crew, this was before photocopiers. He stated, if you want to move a submarine, on the map get your own damn submarine. The next day, 100 miniature subs were on the map.
V/R
Bubblehead Beck

LTC Kevin B. I'm No "Bubblehead" Navy Slang for a Submariner. I've been aboard but only when they were tied to the Shore. I'm a Surface Sailor, I Like Going Outside Underway. The Author Sounds Like He Nailed the Experience. The Only things I Could Add, "Bubblheads" are the Smartest Group in the Navy since Virtually All Submarines are Nuclear and Only those that Score in the Uppermost in the Asvab, IQ's thru the Roof, They do Tend to be a Bit "Geeky" though. LOL! Also One of My Greatest Pleasures and Privileges was as an Off-Line Operator supporting the Fast Attack Submarines on Intelligence Missions. I Knew the Crew by the Short "Tweets" (Yeah the Navy Created those) I would encrypt to Send to Them. I Knew when their Children were Born and Let them Know. Also as a Sailor born in St Louis, One of the Coolest "Missions" I Directly Participated in Forward Deployed was Working with the Fast Attack Sub Jefferson City Named for the Capital of Missouri (I'm Still Not Keen on Talking about What USS Jefferson City and USS Arkansas were doing during Desert Strike.. I am Grateful for the Support Assistance that the Subbase Bangor Provided Me Marshalling the Intelligence Capabilities of USS California CGN-36 and USS Arkansas CGN-41 During RCOH, Reactor Core Overhaul.

LTC Kevin B.
..."Living in a machine with over 100 sailors requires a person to be flexible socially and sometimes physically. I spent two decades on United States Navy submarines performing sonar duties among eccentric personalities in incredibly stressful situations. When sailors report to their first submarine, they are joining a work culture unlike any other. Surrounded by crew members busily moving about tight spaces and narrow walkways, announcements over the circuit boxes, roving watchstanders, equipment humming to 400hz fans, it can be anxiety-inducing to any sailor.

That is why every new crewmember starts as a NUB. But, if they work hard and learn the systems, they will earn their dolphins and become a member of another entirely unique subculture within the grander social hierarchy that exists within the confines of the submerged tube they call home for months on end.

Here’s is what is expected of a new crew member and a bit about the various 'unique' groups of people aboard the submarine, one of which the NUB will find themselves an integral part of once they get minted a submariner."...