Naval Submarine School

Naval Submarine School. Located at Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Connecticut, it is the primary training institution for the United States Navy's submarine force. Established during World War I, the school provides comprehensive instruction in submarine operations, nuclear propulsion, and undersea warfare to officers and enlisted personnel. Its mission is to produce highly skilled submariners capable of operating the Navy's SSBN, SSN, and SSGN fleets in global missions.

History

The school's origins trace to early submarine development, with formal training established in 1916 at Naval Station Newport in Rhode Island under the direction of pioneers like Captain (later Admiral) Charles A. Lockwood. It relocated to its current home in Groton, Connecticut in 1968, following the expansion of the nuclear-powered fleet championed by Admiral Hyman G. Rickover. Key historical milestones include adapting curricula for World War II Fleet submarines, integrating nuclear power training during the Cold War, and evolving to support the *Ohio*-class and *Virginia*-class submarines. The school has continuously updated its programs to reflect advancements in technology and shifts in strategic doctrine, such as those following the Dissolution of the Soviet Union.

Training programs

Core training pipelines include the rigorous Basic Enlisted Submarine School for sailors and the Submarine Officer Basic Course for newly commissioned officers from the United States Naval Academy and Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps. Specialized "C" schools provide advanced technical instruction in Sonar, Torpedo, Tomahawk weapons systems, and reactor plant operations. The school also conducts critical training for Chief of the Boat qualification and hosts the Dolphin qualification program, integrating practical systems knowledge with simulated casualty response in trainers that replicate *Los Angeles*-class and *Seawolf*-class control rooms.

Facilities

The campus encompasses numerous specialized buildings and advanced simulators at Naval Submarine Base New London. Key facilities include the Submarine School Tower, which houses multiple diving trainers, and the Damage Control Trainer, a flooded simulator for teaching emergency procedures. The complex features full-scale replicas of submarine combat control centers, Torpedo tube loading trainers, and a state-of-the-art Nuclear Power School unit. These facilities support training across all submarine classes, including the *Columbia*-class ballistic missile submarines.

Notable alumni

Graduates include many flag officers and distinguished submariners, such as Admiral James O. Ellis Jr., former commander of United States Strategic Command, and Vice Admiral Eugene P. Wilkinson, the first commanding officer of USS *Nautilus* (SSN-571). Renounced Medal of Honor recipient Captain John Philip Cromwell was an instructor, and Admiral Frank B. Kelso II, who served as Chief of Naval Operations, is also an alumnus. Other notable figures include Rear Admiral Richard H. O'Kane, a celebrated World War II commander of USS *Tang*, and contemporary leaders like Admiral Michael M. Gilday.

Command structure

The school is commanded by a Captain who reports directly to Commander, Naval Submarine Forces and ultimately to the Chief of Naval Operations. The command is organized into several training departments, including the Officer Training Department, Enlisted Training Department, and the Nuclear Power Training Unit, each led by senior officers. It falls under the operational oversight of Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic for base support functions and coordinates closely with Naval Education and Training Command for curriculum standards.