Submarine Sea Stories | Ever Wonder What It's Like To Spend The Cold War Under Water With 100 Other Guys?

Tim Sullivan was an outlier.  He went against his parent’s wishes and joined the Navy on a whim.  He became a striker, which means he started painting the boat.  In fact he painted his name on the fairwater plane and really made a name for himself. Checkout Tim’s book on Amazon!  Hot Run by T. Steven Sullivan Tim Sullivan Diver Let’s get together! Tim and his family today

Tom Conlon was born and raised in the garden state of New Jersey. As a boy, submarine TV shows excited him so he joined the sub service when he was old enough. While never good in school, Tom found he loved learning from his shipmates.  He served as a torpedoman aboard the USS James K. Polk and the Francis Scott Key and was discharged in 1973 after 7 years of service. After the Navy, he continued to learn and take as many classes as his employer, the US Postal Service would allow. He also wanted to give back to the submarine service and rose to the rank of Sub Vets (USSVI) National Commander. Tom also gives back to his community, teaching elderly residents how to use computers one morning a week. Certainly a submariner to look up to!   Tom and Gina Conlon   Tom and his family. Blue nose! Torpedo tubes

Andrew Fletcher went three years in college and freaked out when he had $5,000 in debt.  He ended up joining the Navy and trained as a Sonarman, one of the most important jobs on the boat (read Hunt for Red October if you don’t believe me). Andrew discusses why surface ships ARE targets for submarines and some cool stuff you may not know about the noisy ocean. I know you will enjoy this episode! Fun on liberty. Relaxed and ready Badass sonarmen

Nancy Yockey Bonar became fascinated with submarines thanks to her brother, Captain Harry Yockey.  You’ll love Nancy’s explanation of submarine living is like when compared to a 3 bedroom house with 135 house guests! Tee Shirt to help the show and look cool doing it. Nancy Yockey Bonar Getting underway with number 10 cans Some of Harry Yockey’s exploits. Captain Harry Yockey

Bill provides some information on upcoming episodes and new initiative to help vets! Transitioning Vets Checkout some funny previous episodes: Clayton Wetzel, Surviving on Popcorn Jody Durham, Billion Dollar Boat Driver Rory Buchanan, Grapefruit Fighter Mike Reed, Pulling a String Bob Burchfield, Hawaiian Special Enjoy!

Ken Westhaver grew up in the tough streets of South Boston.  He wanted to be on a submarine so bad he could feel it.  Thrown aboard the Minneapolis / St. Paul was the beginning of a career that took him to the Constitution (Old Ironsides), a tank and finally to the Boston Police where he currently serves as a detective. Enjoy this fun filled interview. One of Boston’s finests! Proudly displaying his dolphins! ‘; 

Darryl Jackson grew up on the tough streets of Newark, New Jersey.  He was a standout athlete in school, but ended up in trouble with the Navy being a great choice to avoid possible jail time.  He had a few rough years, but with good mentors, he turned it all around.  A sailor of the year and quick learner and made chief and now mentors troubled sailors and his future looks brighter than ever.  He wife Lisa makes sure of that. Darryl becomes a chief   Chilling with Darryl Darryl and his wife Lisa    

Raul Robles is a chief on a mission.  He has 15 years serving aboard fast attack submarines and deep submergence rescue vehicles.  Raul balances his work and home life with his wife, Amy Robles and their 3 year old daughter. Amy has a popular blog womanenriched.com and a podcast, The Family Knot, targeted toward military spouses.   Daddy’s little girl USS Mystic Chief Robles and Amy

Mike Fieser is a winner.  Besides being and Nuc ET and now a photographer, he won a radio contest to guess his profession.  He came up with the ET version of another day at the office.  Mike reads the winning entry and tells you what it all means… Mike Fieser today  

Radm Chuck Beers (retired) was a submariner as his dad before him.  He eventually became the commanding officer of the USS Minneapolis / St. Paul, SSN 708.  He discusses Starve X 1985, the Butter Liberation Front and the new Virginia Class Subs. Dolphin Scholarships (must have served 8 years on submarine service and qualified) Rear Admiral Beers Chuck Beers, his wife and son the aviator  

Bob MacPherson is the Lean Submariner, he know efficiency!.  He started out as a submariner by chance and did not put in his best effort – to start.  After leaving and having the steel industry collapsing in Pennsylvania, he re-joined the Navy and chose to make the most of it.  He ended up as a warrant officer and helped a large group of people change their lives for the better. His favorite and most famous blog: I’d like to be a submariner, how hard can that be? Bob’s Navy Sword and his Ceremonial Clan MacPherson Sword USS George Washington A gang Indianapolis A Gang Bob’s Bookcase with Speaking Trophies Machinist Mate Chief

Kurt Jarrio, a 20 year submariner was a hard partying, somewhat crazy plankowner aboard the USS Minneapolis / St. Paul.  He was tied up by robbers, robbed again outside a pizza place.  He landed his wife after just a few days meeting her back in the 80’s.  They are still together with 4 successful kids who each have served or are serving in the military. Great guy, great family, great American (and funny as hell). Kurt passed out in Ft Liquordale Party time! Bob Burchfield, Bill Nowicki and Kurt Jarrio Captain Beers re-enlisting Kurt Kurt and Elaine in 1986     Kurt and his beer.   Kurt and Elaine today.  

Rich Hust grew up scared he was going to end up in Vietnam doing something he might not like.  Instead, after leaving jail, he walked into the Navy recruiter’s office and signed up.  That night, he left for boot camp and started his Navy career.  The Scamp was his first designation.  Rich gives some vivid details on the sights and more importantly smells of this water restricted boat.  WARNING, if you are easily grossed out, pick another episode to listen to.   Argentina The Scamp Rich Hust today The Family Knot Podcast

Dave Butler grew up in a small town in Louisiana.  By a twist of fate, he was handed a Naval Academy appointment.  As a midshipman, he was first assigned to a surface ship and thought better of it.  He ended up on a diesel submarine and never looked back.  Dave relives his career including his influences, challenges and triumphs. Dave back in the day. USS Minneapolis St. Paul, SSN 708 launch. Dave is the tall guy on the top Near hole-in-one Commander Dave Butler Dave Butler today

Rich Damm was born and raised on Long Island and decided to join the Navy.  He spent several years working as a ballistic missile tech and transitioned to become a successful entrepreneur and owner of 636solutions a tech company that caters to small businesses. 636 Solution’s logo Off crew party   Rich and his family today

John Colley is a boarding school and Cambridge University graduate who became a tank commander. He went into finance and eventually became a entrepreneur and the Six Minute Strategist. Lt Colley Troop Huntsman John Colley today   http://jbdcolley.com/   Veterans resource. http://jbdcolley.com/olp019/

Fred T. Needham (FTN) joined the nuclear Navy way back and saw a lot of changes over the years.  He met his wife and got engaged in a week.  After 30 years of service he was forced to retire.  Fred talks about the FTN fan club, why submarines are the best, and what he thinks about women on submarines. FTN Fan Club Fred’s retirement ceremony

David Helms grew up in a large family in Nebraska.  Being a ballistic missile submarine sailor was his dream since he was in the 6th grade.  He got his chance after almost failing out — twice.  Then the real adventures began, eating shark shot by a machine gun and surviving a crash dive after a shipmate lost it. All in a day’s work. USS Henry L. Stimson, SSBN 655 USS Henry L. Stimson, SSBN 655 David Helms today

Wedding day Steve Norman is a British guy who looks back at his time on the sub as a great time.  The people, the mission, he misses it all.   Family grams Steve Norman is a British guy who looks back at his time on the sub as a great time.  The people, the mission, he misses it all. Steve’s grandad John.       Mess Dinner menu HMS Victorious leaving snowy Scotland. Steve today at the submarine museum    

Gannon McHale grew up in New England.  He attended great schools but decided to enlist in the Navy to avoid the Vietnam draft.  He served aboard USS and lived to tell many tales and captured them in a book, Stealth Boat which chronicles his time on USS Sturgeon. Gannon McHale is now a New York City based character actor who has worked on Broadway, in Regional Theatres, Tours, TV and Film, including a featured cameo role as Representative Aaron Haddam in Stephen Spielberg’s LINCOLN. This Fall he will open the season at Baltimore’s Center Stage Company as Royal Chamberlain von Strack in Peter Shaffer’s AMADEUS. Boot Camp Photo USS Sturgeon “The Cocktail Hour”…Crew’s Berthing Delta circa 1968…probably coming back from the ’68 Northern run…L to R..Barry Avery, Dick Austin, Denny Schulz, Bill Drake, and Gannon McHale (lower right) This photo was taken at the NSL Luncheon at the Subvets in October 2008 when the book came out. L to R (back row) Head Steward Emmanuel Howard, COB Bill Welsh, Capt. Bohannan, Ken Sch