Basic Enlisted Submarine School

Basic Enlisted Submarine School. It is the United States Navy's foundational training command for enlisted sailors selected to serve aboard the nation's submarine fleet. Established during World War II, the school transforms sailors from surface and other communities into fundamentally qualified submariners. Located at the historic Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Connecticut, it provides rigorous instruction in submarine systems, safety, and the unique culture of the Silent Service. Graduates earn the right to wear the coveted dolphins upon qualification at their first operational boat.

History and establishment

The school was formally established in 1942 in response to the massive expansion of the United States submarine force during World War II. The need for standardized, high-volume training for enlisted crewmen became critical as new Gato-class and Balao-class submarines were commissioned. Its original location was at the New London submarine base, which had been a center for submarine development since the early 20th century. Over the decades, the curriculum has evolved dramatically, reflecting technological leaps from diesel boats to nuclear-powered vessels like the USS *Nautilus* and subsequent Los Angeles-class and Virginia-class attack submarines. The end of the Cold War and shifts in global strategy further refined its training focus, but its core mission of producing capable submariners has remained constant since its founding.

Training curriculum

The intensive course, several weeks in duration, provides a comprehensive overview of submarine operations and emergency procedures. Core academic instruction covers the principles of nuclear propulsion, atmospheric control and scrubber systems, sonar fundamentals, and submarine weapons handling. A significant portion is dedicated to damage control, including extensive hands-on training with firefighting equipment and flooding containment techniques in wet trainers. Students receive detailed instruction on the use of the Submarine Escape Immersion Equipment (SEIE) suit. The curriculum heavily emphasizes the theory and operation of the distilling plant, hydraulics, and high-pressure air systems critical to submarine survival. Safety protocols, from radiation health physics to shipboard etiquette in confined spaces, are drilled continuously to instill the meticulous standards required by Commander, Submarine Force Atlantic and Commander, Submarine Force Pacific.

Facilities and location

The school is situated within the confines of Naval Submarine Base New London, the U.S. Navy's primary East Coast submarine base and home to Submarine Squadron 4 and the Naval Submarine School for officers. Its facilities include modern classrooms, computer-based training labs, and specialized simulation trainers. Key training aids include operational periscope trainers, submarine control room mock-ups, and pressurized damage control wet trainers that simulate flooding compartments. The location provides students direct exposure to the operational fleet, with regular views of Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines and Virginia-class attack submarines departing the Thames River for deployments. The base's history is deeply intertwined with the General Dynamics Electric Boat shipyard nearby, where many U.S. submarines have been built since the era of John Philip Holland.

Student life and culture

Life for students is highly structured, combining intense academic study with physical training and the absorption of submarine culture. Students are typically housed in barracks on base and are subject to the strict discipline and routine common to naval "A" schools. The culture heavily stresses teamwork, attention to detail, and personal accountability—values paramount aboard a submerged vessel. A defining rite of passage is the culminating practical exam, which tests knowledge across all major submarine systems. The environment fosters a strong sense of cohort identity, as students prepare to join the close-knit crews of boats assigned to the Atlantic Fleet or Pacific Fleet. This period serves as their formal induction into the traditions of the Silent Service, long before they report to their first boat for the rigorous qualification process to earn their dolphins.

Notable alumni and legacy

While individual enlisted sailors are rarely publicized, the school's legacy is embodied by the thousands of Chiefs of the Boat, Master Chiefs, and decorated submariners who began their undersea careers there. Its graduates form the backbone of every U.S. submarine crew, having served on every class of boat from World War II fleet submarines to the modern Columbia-class. The school's output was instrumental in the success of the submarine force during pivotal historical events like the Battle of the Atlantic, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and throughout the decades of Cold War deterrence patrols. Its enduring contribution is the continuous supply of highly trained, disciplined sailors ready to operate and maintain some of the most complex machines in the United States Armed Forces, ensuring the continued dominance of the U.S. submarine force.

Category:United States Navy training establishments Category:Submarines of the United States Category:Groton, Connecticut