THE ATOMIC PROJECT A Newsletter produced by the Commissioning Committee of the USS HYMAN G. RICKOVER (SSN-795)

Spring Issue 2 April 1, 2021

he was specifically requested by USS INDIANA to come back in 2021 to support the ship’s tactical certification. An outstanding Sonar Technician, Castro has the experience and judgment of a senior operator, and has been placed into Sonar Supervisor Qualifications, a crucial safety of ship watch station.

And finally, we had Machinist Mate Nuclear Second Class Tyler Lavrinc who was selected for advancement to First Class Petty Officer. Up to now, Petty Officer Lavrinc has played a central role in the Engineering Department’s success throughout the propulsion plant test program. As the Machinery Division’s training petty officer, he implemented an UPDATE FROM THE BOAT in the Auxiliary Machinery Room, aggressive training plan that ensured which is normally manned by senior his peers were ready to perform STATUS OF OUR PERSONNEL: Sailors. Based on his proficiency once-in-a-lifetime testing and had the in operating the systems under his knowledge to qualify and perform at- We had an opportunity to recognize cognizance, Holland was selected sea watch stations. As an Engineering three outstanding Sailors selected as NORTH DAKOTA’s Battlestations Department section leader, he led his by the commanding officer for and Maneuvering Watch Auxiliaryman 15-person section through multiple advancement during this cycle’s of the Watch. Finally, not willing to shift-work test programs. Lavrinc also Meritorious Advancement Program. rest on his laurels, Holland received implemented a plan for a “tiger team” The program is intended to give permission to start standing pilot and to complete a test program which commands greater authority to better co-pilot under instruction watches. precluded the entire Engineering shape their workforce and the Navy by The responsibilities for these watches Department from having to enter shift- developing and rewarding their best are usually reserved for senior First work, thus saving the command from talent. Class Petty Officers or Chief Petty having to expend more than 3,000 Officers because they involve tasks man-hours. First, we had Machinist Mate Auxiliary associated with maneuvering of the Fireman John Holland who was ship. continued on page 3 selected for advancement to Third Class Petty Officer. Petty Officer Second, we have Sonar Technician Holland just returned to RICKOVER Submarines Third Class Marcos The USS Hyman G. Rickover (SSN-795) following nearly a year of temporary Castro who was advanced to Second Commissioning Committee is a division duty onboard USS NORTH DAKOTA Class Petty Officer. In 2020, Castro of the Armed Forces Council of Chicago where he gained invaluable experience volunteered to deploy aboard the USS (AFCC), which is sponsored by the Union League Club of Chicago to honor and in operating the ship’s non-nuclear INDIANA to support an undermanned support America’s Armed Forces. The mechanical systems responsible for division during missions vital to AFCC is a tax-exempt organization under steering, diving, and controlling the national security. While deployed section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue atmosphere. While onboard NORTH aboard the ship he rapidly qualified Code, and donations are deductible to the DAKOTA, Petty Officer Holland for advanced watchstations. Castro extent permitted by law. qualified as senior-in-rate watch made such a positive impression, that

1 Spring Issue 2 April 1, 2021 LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN: Dear Friends of the United States are expected to be held in internet connection. Our past Navy: Groton, Connecticut. programs were recorded and are on You Tube, accessible by As the Chairman of the One of our recent projects links from our website. Commissioning Committee has been to collect stories for the USS HYMAN G. from people who had personal We are currently engaged in RICKOVER (SSN-795), I have interactions with Admiral raising the funds needed to had the pleasure of working Rickover. The admiral was carry out our mission. On our with members of the crew well known for his unusual website, you can see those of the RICKOVER, civilian interviews of prospective who have already stepped Navy personnel and the nuclear officers before they up to financially support us, members of our Committee as were accepted into the nuclear and can learn how you can we work toward celebrating program, as well for as his join this group of patriotic the commissioning of the oversized impact on the Navy individuals and organizations. RICKOVER in 2022. As you generally and on the navies of Our donors will be recognized may know, the Committee’s other nations. I encourage you immediately on our website for mission is to raise awareness to visit our website at https:// their support, and later at the of the RICKOVER in the civilian ussrickover.org/ and read the commissioning, and depending community, to provide the “Rickover Recollections” that on the level of the donor’s RICKOVER a proper send- we have collected. For those support, there will be thank you off at the commissioning, of you who had a personal gifts and invitation-only events to enhance the morale and experience with Admiral as further recognition and welfare of the RICKOVER’s Rickover and have not yet thanks. Please visit our website crew and their families as the submitted your recollection of to see how you can support our RICKOVER begins service in that experience, the website mission by becoming a sponsor defense of our nation, and to also includes instructions on of the commissioning through honor the legacy and impact how to submit a recollection to a tax-deductible donation to the of Admiral Hyman G. Rickover, us. work of our Committee. Father of the Nuclear Navy. Also, please watch for our Sincerely, As we emerge from the speakers’ programs on timely effects of the coronavirus on topics of interest to supporters our society, the schedule for of the Navy. We have had the RICKOVER is becoming two programs so far, one on William Nissen clearer. The christening of “Understanding Naval Power Chairman the boat is now expected in our 21st Century,” presented USS HYMAN G. RICKOVER to occur on July 31, 2021. by retired Vice Admiral John Commissioning Committee This is, however, subject J. Donnelly, and one on to change if there are “Operational Readiness: C G. RI KOVE N R ( A SS unexpected developments Maintaining the Fleet for YM LXIII N H - 7 in the construction process Great Power Competition,” S 9 S 5 ) or other factors that prevent presented by retired Admiral U

  

the christening from going Cecil D. Haney. Watch our 

 

 ahead on this schedule. The website for our next program.  C O E commissioning is expected to The programs are held using E M T M IT take place in the early to middle Zoom technology so that they ISS M ION COM part of 2022. Both ceremonies are available to anyone with an ING

2 Spring Issue 2 April 1, 2021 continued from page 1 reached the milestone of “pressure percent of its territory, however those hull complete,” meaning that all of regions constitute almost 40 percent MATERIAL AND CONSTRUCTION the ship’s hull sections were joined of our population. Coastal population STATUS: to form a single, watertight unit. This density is increasing in America and procedure is a major milestone ahead around the world. More than two- PCU HYMAN G RICKOVER (SSN- of the submarine’s christening and thirds of all people on earth live within 795) is in the 66th month of a float-off. We are currently working 250 miles of a coastline. Sea power scheduled 70 month construction through propulsion plant testing protects America’s sovereignty and the period. It is expected that the ship in order to support leaving the homeland from attack. will end up with an overall 77 month construction hall this summer and construction period, with delivery to go in waterborne. Christening is Having laid out the rationale for the fleet in the first quarter of calendar scheduled for July 31, 2021 and we year 2022. having a strong Navy, Donnelly expect have an outdoor event with the next highlighted some of the global ship in the water. On September 8, 2020, the ship challenges and risks the U.S. faces in terms of its two primary global competitors: Russia and China. Pointing to effects of global warming on the melting of the Arctic icecap, Donnelly displayed a map of the icecap showing current location of active Russian military installations along the northern sea route and compared the capabilities gap between U.S. and Russian vessels that can operate in the Arctic. Currently, the U.S. has two icebreakers while Russia operates 40. The Arctic is a geopolitical convergence point. Without new investment in Arctic capabilities, Russia’s influence will greatly enlarge. The risk to the U.S. in this situation will be less protection for UNDERSTANDING NAVAL POWER IN THE 21ST CENTURY our commercial and scientific vessels, On October 15, 2020, the involve our international “connections” ineffective enforcement of international Commissioning Committee was and “security.” According to Donnelly, law, and an increasing threat to our honored to hear from retired Vice Adm. the relations we have with our Allies national security. Jay Donnelly, former commander, and Partners depend on our naval Submarine Forces/commander, capabilities, “The U.S. joint force With regard to China, Donnelly Submarine Force Atlantic/commander, and the militaries of our allies and pointed to the long disputed claims Allied Submarine Command, on partners rely on the Navy’s war- the Peoples Republic of China have the topic of why we need a strong fighting capabilities and access made on the maritime boundaries and Navy, during a presentation entitled to secure sea lanes. Sea power islands within the South China Sea. “Understanding Naval Power in the protects our homeland and enables Just as important as the boundaries 21st-Century.” Donnelly’s presentation America’s armed forces around the and islands of the South China Sea is offered five reasons why the nation world.” Fourth, the Navy secures the fact that the region is also a major should maintain a strong Navy. and upholds American values, “The maritime route that links the Pacific freedoms and sovereignty guaranteed and Indian Oceans. In recent years, First, the “wealth” or prosperity of by international law depend on an disputes have risen among several the nation is dependent on our Navy, ability to defend them. Sea power countries that have made conflicting “More than 90 percent of international protects American values from claims to the islands and waters of trade moves on the ocean, and 99 those who would use intimidation or the South China Sea. Among the percent of international data moves on coercion to undermine international disputed island claims are the Spratly undersea cables. Sea power defends law.” And, finally, “America’s future Islands which are claimed in whole American prosperity.” The second and is at sea.” Coastal regions of the third reasons, which are interrelated, U.S. account for approximately 10 continued on page 4

3 Spring Issue 2 April 1, 2021 continued from page 3 U.S. Navy, growing it to over 500 ships by 2045. Battle Force 2045 calls or part by Malaysia, the , for a number of changes, including Taiwan, Vietnam, and Brunei. China, a reevaluation of the role that large whose emerging leadership is under nuclear powered “supercarriers” play pressure to continue economic and in our national defense strategy; and, military growth, is the principal threat procuring smaller platforms and more and claims all of the disputed islands unmanned platforms. Battle Force and most of the South China Sea 2045 would grow the attack submarine basin. The Spratly Islands dispute has force, supplement “supercarriers” with importance to U.S. national security light carriers to achieve greater routine interests because it involves island presence, and invest heavily in small building projects to house military and unmanned vessels for distributed bases. operations.

To tackle the challenges posed by our Commander, Submarine Force, Vice Adm. John RICKO G. VER Chinese and Russian competitors, N ( Donnelly looks over the frozen Arctic Ocean A SS YM LXIII N H - from the bridge of attack submarine USS 7 the U.S. Navy planned to grow its fleet S 9 S 5 ) Alexandria (SSN 757). Alexandria surfaced from 297 to 355 vessels. However, U

  through two feet of ice during ICEX-07, a U.S. 

former Secretary of Defense Mark  Navy and Royal Navy exercise being conducted

  

Esper initiated a study that produced  on and under a drifting ice floe about 180 C O E E nautical miles off the north coast of Alaska. M T the Battle Force 2045 report which M IT ISS M Photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist IONI COM proposed a greater expansion of the NG Shawn P. Eklund (03.18.2007)

OPERATIONAL READINESS: MAINTAINING THE FLEET FOR GREAT POWER COMPETITION On March 25, 2021, the Commissioning Committee was As retired Vice Adm. Jay Donnelly, Starting his naval career in the honored to hear from retired Adm. ended his presentation with the need “maintenance world,” Haney has had Cecil D. Haney, former commander, to grow the fleet to contend with our keen experience associated with the U.S. Strategic Command and former global competitors, China and Russia, challenges of new construction of commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, on the Haney recognized that growing our nuclear-submarines. He was the topic of the need to maintain the fleet the fleet by itself will not guarantee engineer aboard the USS HYMAN G. in the era of great power competition, success unless we invest in the RICKOVER (SSN-709), the executive during a presentation entitled maintenance capabilities necessary to officer during the construction of the “Operational Readiness: Maintaining keep the fleet afloat and prepared to the Fleet for Great Power Competition.” fight. continued on page 5

4 Spring Issue 2 April 1, 2021 continued from page 4 “To get the expected operational life USS ASHEVILLE, and as commander out of its vessels,” Haney suggested of Submarine Group Two, he oversaw that the Navy increase investments several nuclear-submarine new in maintenance capabilities and constructions. capacities in the following three areas: the basic, intermediate, and advanced According to Haney, “As we witness technical training the crew receives; the reorientation of the America’s the intermediate maintenance activities national security strategy to contend available both afloat and ashore; and, with an assertive China and a the industrial capability and capacity in disruptive Russia, the U.S. Navy both our public and private shipyards. has plans to grow its fleet from 297 to 355 warships.” He continued, Investments in the technical training “However, growing the fleet by itself pipeline will produce high quality Adm. Cecil Haney, commander of U.S. Pacific and highly skilled Sailors. However, does not guarantee current and Fleet, answers questions from service members future operational success in the new assigned to Commander, Submarine Squadron these investments in the quality to the security environment. An essential 15, and the submarine tenders USS Frank training pipeline for our Sailors have component of the Navy’s formula for Cable (AS 40) and USS Emory S. Land (AS some unintentional consequences. 39), at Polaris Point. Haney visited military A highly skilled Sailor with valuable success will be the emphasis it places installations on Guam before returning back on establishing higher capabilities to his headquarters in . Photo by Petty maintenance experience will be and capacities for maintaining its Officer 2nd Class Corwin Colbert (03.23.2012). valuable outside the Navy in the sophisticated platforms.” civilian sector. Therefore, the Navy snowball effect which keeps growing. needs to adjust its retention incentive policies to keep our best Sailors. Despite the demands on the fleet, During his presentation, Haney pointed Haney was pleasantly surprised to a Government Accountability For Haney, two key infrastructure recently to see the USS NIMITZ Office (GAO) report published back complete an 11 month deployment investments at the intermediate in October 2020, which provided maintenance level should be in overseas without a major maintenance a bottom line assessment of the cranes and dry docks. A shortage of issue. As impressive as this situation: the repair work just isn’t cranes and dry docks for ongoing ship deployment was—it is not the norm. In getting done in a timely manner. The maintenance and modernization only fact, Haney pointed to the disturbing report points to three areas that could highlights the challenges in dealing trend that between fiscal years be causing much of the backlog: with the current ill-suited pairing of 2014 – 2020 the Navy experienced maintenance requirements and a approximately 38,600 days of • Acquisitions: Requirements, shipyard’s capacity. An example of maintenance delays. The result from oversight and technical data all the mismatch is the number of Navy these delays has been reduced time were insufficient or ineffective. certified private dry docks versus the for training and operations. Sustainment projections were number of homeported surface ships: overly optimistic. On the Atlantic coast the Navy has 14 In today’s competitive security • Operations: Low crew certified dry docks and 49 homeported environment, it’s not hard to imagine levels affected performance. surface ships; while on the Pacific a scenario where a ship’s pre- Maintenance deferments and coast the Navy has 7 certified dry deployment training was cut short to extended deployments also played docks and 60 homeported surface make up for a maintenance delay in roles. ships. According to the GAO, “the the shipyard to just get out of the yard. • Maintenance: Besides the current capacity and capability of the Such a scenario is a serious threat aforementioned unplanned shipyard’s drydocks will not support to operational readiness. Time and work and insufficient shipyard future operational needs.” time again, it has been demonstrated capacity, GAO cited adherence to that maintenance delays have second the planning process, condition Of special note, Haney noted that the and third order consequences. For of facilities and equipment, scarcity and aged condition of dry instance, deployed vessels have availability of parts and docks, the oldest dry dock was built in to stay deployed longer because materials, information technology 1891 and the newest was built in 1962, their replacements are not ready for infrastructure, and modernization deployment. These situations create a and alterations. continued on page 6

5 Spring Issue 2 April 1, 2021 continued from page 5 and maintenance costs.

“Maintenance is not generally an RICKO makes them particularly vulnerable G. VER exciting topic of discussion,” said N ( to physical threats such as fires and A SS YM LXIII N Haney. “But if you speak with any H - other mishaps. 7 S 9 crewmember of today’s submarines or S 5 ) U On a final note, Haney referenced surface ships, they will regale you with  

a future where manpower intensive sea stories of the heroic actions that 

sometimes must occur to either get 

 maintenance inspections may  

be combined with the “internet of their boat or ship underway or keep it  deployed in support of operations at C things”, i.e., sensors, and artificial O E E sea.” M T intelligence to better predict and M IT ISS M avoid machine malfunction, which IONING COM should dramatically reduce manpower “We must get this right,” said Haney. expenditures, equipment downtime,

at USNA and served in submarines. I did equally bad and caused him to A bad experience on a conventional leave his chair when I said a leader cruise ensured that I must have charisma. That topped off would either go nuclear surface the interview with many people joining or submarines. Unfortunately, my in during his amusing reactions to major of Analytical Management the word charisma and terrifying for was one of the least popular for me. I was sent on my way knowing Admiral Rickover. I was not aware of that he would never take me into the this until my midshipman interview program. I didn’t even go to see if I was but suspected that I may have a on the list of midshipmen accepted difficult time. My interview started out into the nuclear power program but somewhat comical for the Admiral but my classmates informed me that he terrifying for me since it appears that did take me. Very surprising given the he had the wrong file in front of him interview that I had. and referred to me as Midshipman Moe (Gary Moe was a classmate of The second time was when I was THREE RECOLLECTIONS OF mine). After he found my file, Admiral a junior officer of the watch on new MEETINGS WITH ADMIRAL Rickover then launched on the construction Alpha sea trials. I was a RICKOVER meaning of my last name when told baby Nuke on USS Indianapolis (SSN that I was Midshipman Petersen. I did 697) and selected by the Commanding By Jim Petersen, Captain, USNR not do well here since he wanted to Officer, Commander (at the time and (Ret.), USNA 1976, PhD know who Peter was and I thought eventually Captain) Harry Salmon to he meant my ancestor Peter, not the stand maneuvering watch. Admiral I met with Admiral Rickover personally, biblical Saint Peter. It went downhill Rickover did the obligatory scram three times when I was a young officer. from there as he discussed my class of the reactor and my team and I Here are summaries of the three times standings that weren’t too bad, and he recovered nicely. I do not remember although the stories are much longer introduced me to at least two of his what he said while standing next to for the personal meetings and I offer administrative office workers both of me but he seemed pleased by our summaries to allow for others to tell whom were young females. I also had performance. their stories. to convince the officer who escorted me to the interview to let me aboard Believe it or not, I had a third First, my first meeting was as a his submarine. Needless to say, I did encounter with Admiral Rickover after Midshipman at the US Naval Academy. not do well there either. I look back taking my engineer’s exam, going I was not sure what I was going to and realize that I was part of Admiral through 3 one-hour interviews and do for Service Selection although I Rickover’s amusement for the day anticipating the results with twelve was encouraged to go submarines with him smiling at times, something other officers who took the exam. by the 6th Battalion Officer, Captain he was not known for. When asked Roy Wight USN, who befriended me to describe the qualities of a leader, continued on page 7

6 Spring Issue 2 April 1, 2021 continued from page 6 there was one other person sitting he asked me if I still had charisma?! in a chair against the wall and I only I told him; I did. No one believed that It was dramatic for me since I was saw him out of my periphery. Admiral this happened, but I found out the asked to leave my contemporaries Rickover interrogated me about my next day why from a classmate and prior to the results being announced. grades and class standing at USNA. fellow submariner who told me who I certainly thought I failed the exam I really did well in my last school the person in Admiral Rickover’s office but did not know why since I was years, so I was a bit confused. He was. The reason was that following quite confident of my abilities given then congratulated me for being first my interview Admiral Rickover brought that I was on a new submarine and in my class senior year. I again was this person that afternoon to tour made it through every qualification I confused since I did not graduate first my friend’s submarine which was needed to get my submarine dolphins. and did not see the overall grades by anchored near USNA. It all made Imagine my surprise as the person each academic year which is likely to sense as to why Admiral Rickover was who escorted me out of the room (I which he was referring. He then asked so nice to me even though he was later learned he was a Navy Captain) about Saint Peter and the discussion not known to treat any junior officer told me that Admiral Rickover wanted we had during the first interview. I was or midshipman well...the person… to talk to me. My heart sank because, now thoroughly confused since I was Ex-President Richard Nixon! I wish I not only did I fail, but Admiral Rickover not expecting this conversation. After could have taken my eyes off Admiral was going to personally kick me out of telling me I ‘aced’ the Engineer’s Exam Rickover long enough to see the the nuclear reactor program which was and taking credit for all my successes, President but I was too afraid of what the case for those who violated reactor he dismissed me and I started to my fate was in the Nuclear Power safety in discussions during the exam leave. I was asked to return to his Program! process. When I arrived in his office, office as I was leaving. As I returned,

ADMIRAL HYMAN G. RICKOVER — FATHER OF THE NUCLEAR NAVY

7 Spring Issue 2 April 1, 2021 WHO WAS ADMIRAL HYMAN G. RICKOVER? ABOUT THE COMMISSIONING COMMITTEE: USS HYMAN G. RICKOVER (SSN-795) The USS Hyman G. Rickover (SSN-795) commissioning The USS Hyman G. Rickover is the committee has been established second nuclear-powered fast attack by the Union League Club of Chicago to procure financial and submarine to be named in recognition supplementary resources to host of Admiral Rickover. The new version a week-long celebration sometime of the Rickover is part of the Virginia in early to mid-2022, working Class of submarines which are multi- in partnership with the United mission submarines that perform a States Navy. The committee variety of peacetime and wartime is comprised of civic-minded tasks, including the following: individuals from the Union League Club of Chicago, Pritzker Military • Clandestine intelligence, Museum & Library, local Navy surveillance, and reconnaissance League Councils, Chicago Navy • Clandestine insertion and recovery Memorial Foundation, along with of Special Operations Forces prominent civic and business Admiral Hyman G. Rickover (1900- • Clandestine strikes against land leaders. 1986), was raised in Chicago’s targets with Tomahawk cruise Lawndale neighborhood and missiles OUR MISSION: graduated from John Marshall High • Clandestine offensive and The committee will generate School in 1918. He is known as the defensive mine warfare “Father of the Nuclear Navy” and national interest and enthusiasm • Anti-submarine warfare for the construction and support served an unprecedented 63 years • Anti-surface ship warfare on active duty. Admiral Rickover was of the nuclear attack submarine— USS HYMAN G. RICKOVER one of the most successful—and During the , anti-submarine controversial public servants of the (SSN-795). Our activities: obtain warfare against Soviet submarines financial resources to fund various 20th century. His accomplishments was the primary mission of our events and activities associated are legendary. For example, in nuclear attack submarines. In the with the time-honored naval August 1951 Admiral Rickover post-Cold War era, our nuclear “commissioning ceremony”; plan, handpicked and supervised a team attack submarines focused organize, and collaborate with of talented engineers in the design more on performing intelligence the to host and construction of the first nuclear gathering. With a change in the various events and activities powered submarine—the Nautilus. global strategic environment, and a associated with the boat’s They accomplished the task in three renewed emphasis on great power commissioning; and, develop short years. This was an amazing competition, preparation for anti- and maintain long-term relations between Admiral Hyman G. achievement of engineering given that submarine warfare against Russian Rickover’s hometown and the it involved the development and the and Chinese submarines has become first use of a controlled nuclear reactor. boat’s crew throughout the life of a major mission for our nuclear attack the boat. The Nautilus not only transformed submarines. submarine warfare, but also laid the groundwork for a whole fleet of nuclear aircraft carriers and , which were also built by Admiral Rickover and his team. Admiral Rickover’s USS HYMAN G. RICKOVER (SSN-795) enduring contribution to the U.S. Navy Commissioning Committee revolutionized ship propulsion, quality 65 West Jackson Boulevard control, safety standards, personnel Chicago, Illinois 60604 selection, training and education, and Telephone: (312) 435-5945 has had wide-ranging effects on the E-mail: [email protected] defense establishment and the civilian Website: https://ussrickover.org/ nuclear energy field. If you wish to stop receiving this newsletter, please send an email to [email protected] to request removal of your email address from our mailing list.

8