Service to School Partner Schools Visit Navy Submarine Base

On Thursday, January 16, over a dozen of Service to School’s VetLink Partners visited the Navy Submarine Base in New London, CT. They learned more about the “Silent Service,” toured an operational submarine, and shared information about their programs with transitioning sailors.

The submarine service is secretive by nature, and there is little public awareness of the types of missions it conducts and the training required to earn a place on a ship’s crew. So, this was a fantastic opportunity for the VetLink Partners to learn more about this branch of the military.

The day began with an unclassified briefing on submarine operations and the history of the submarine service. The group then had lunch at the base’s award-winning galley (cafeteria), where they could speak with submariners about their experiences and share information on their college programs.

After lunch, the group was given a tour of the USS Virginia, a fast-attack nuclear submarine. They saw the crew’s living conditions and the complex machinery that sustains it underwater for an unlimited amount of time. The tour was conducted by its second-in-command and medic, who is responsible for the healthcare of the entire 120-person crew.

The tour allowed the partners to have firsthand experience with a part of the military that few have ever seen and an appreciation for the arduous submarine service.

Following the tour, the group had the opportunity to present their academic programs to about fifty transitioning sailors and their families. Each made it clear that their program wants veterans and is invested in their success. The fact that they traveled from across the country to attend this event was a testament to this commitment.

This was a truly special day for both our VetLink Partners and the submarine sailors as they got to learn more about each other. 

Service to School CEO Alec Emmert, himself a former submariner, said: “What I saw were unique interactions. Submarine sailors and our Partners are both part of elite programs that are incredibly difficult to get to. However, neither knew much about each other. The discussions they had were really exciting to watch as they learned more about the submarine service and America’s best colleges. We hope this to be the first of many similar events.”