Professional and Fun

The word “fun” is not often associated with life on a Submarine. Isolated, boring, intense, routine, secretive, and claustrophobia are words that more than likely come to mind. However, life on the USS John C. Calhoun (SSBN 630) sure had times you could call fun.

The captain of the Calhoun taught me it was okay to be professional and to have a good time while doing so. You had to know when the right time was because professional and fun had their proper places. After all, we were pushing around nuclear missiles.

The first time I realized that the Calhoun would be different than any other boat I would ever be on was during a maneuvering watch heading out on a deterrent patrol – “being really stealthy in the ocean so that no one can find you” is what that means. I had noticed that a very large powered megaphone had been placed on the starboard fairwater plane – this would go in the category of highly unusual for a submarine. What happened with this haze gray megaphone was something I would never forget.

We were heading up the Cooper River in Charleston, South Carolina and rounding a bend where we would pass many frigates, destroyers and COMSUBGRU 6. The later was the building that was home to the boss of the Calhoun’s captain. An order was given by the captain to the Control Room. And the megaphone came to life. It was singing. It was singing John Phillip Sousa’s Dixie Land. “I wish I was in the land of cotton . . .” It sang that song until we had cleared the main part of the naval base. I was told by several shipmates that the captain did this every time he left port – I had not believed them. Professionalism laced with a bit of rebellious fun.

I have mentioned drills before. Being awakened by ships alarms is not fun. I guess the Calhoun’s captain felt the same way.

I was laying in my bunkie when I heard a familiar bit of music come over the ship’s announcing system. It started low and continued to build . . . it was the theme from Jaws, the part where you knew the great white shark was going to attack. The next sound was the words, “Man Battle Stations, Torpedo!” The crew came to life and we manned our battle stations.

I was in awe of this captain. For Battle Stations Missile, he played Meatloaf’s Bat Out of Hell prior to sounding the appropriate alarm.

After the drills for firing a torpedo or launching a missile, the captain played Queen’s Another One Bites the Dust. Professionalism laced with a bit of rebellious fun.

During the time I was attached to the Calhoun, the captain was Commander T. J. O’Brien. I am sure he will never realize the impact he had on me. He taught me that you could be professional, effective, and successful and you could throw in your own brand of fun while doing it.

I have fun teaching my 5^th grade students science and social studies. My students seem to remember those lessons the best.

I am not sure that there is any written evidence that Jesus had fun. But, I try to imagine thirteen guys sitting around a campfire today . . . just sayin’.