Submarine Warfare

Hi everybody.

I've always been interested in submarine warfare and that's why I have applied to USNA this year. I was just wondering, what would be the ideal area to major in at the Academy (assuming I receive a OA of course)? I was thinking Systems Engineering, maybe Oceanography??? Any thoughts appreciated.

NAVYgreg said:

Hi everybody.

I've always been interested in submarine warfare and that's why I have applied to USNA this year. I was just wondering, what would be the ideal area to major in at the Academy (assuming I receive a OA of course)? I was thinking Systems Engineering, maybe Oceanography??? Any thoughts appreciated.

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If you WANT submarines - boy are you going to the right school!

The best thing to get submarines is to major in ANYTHING other than a Group III major (i.e. English, History, Political Science) and do well in it. You don't have to great ... just "well."

Then, after having achieved that - you will end up in a submarine whether you like it or not.

I'm just kidding ... sort of. You are probably unaware that submarines has become increasingly less popular over the years and, consequently, there has been somewhat of a "submarine draft" going on. There are a significant number of midshipmen who are being "forced" to go into subs, even though it is not their first choice, because of three things converging ...
1) They Naval Academy has a quota, and
2) There are not enough midshipmen who have submarines as their first choice, and
3) Those selected generally have technical majors and have done well.

In my opinion, submarines have become less popular BECAUSE of the War on Terror. Most candidates to the service academies are relatively patriotic individuals who are willing (maybe even eager) to participate in the conflict in some capacity. It is hard to imagine what role a submarine plays in the War on Terror.

Major in what you want. I know countless Group III majors who have gone subs or nuke swo.

How does that response apply to pilot selection? I've read numerous times that your major does not ultimately affect getting selected for flight school.

Memphis9489, you say that there is a kind of "Submarine draft". Those selected have generally done well in technical majors.

Are you saying that doing only a mediocre job in a technical major could actually increase your chances of getting selected for flight school?

Thanks.

Memphis9489 said:

It is hard to imagine what role a submarine plays in the War on Terror.

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Without going into great detail...


1) VLS
2) SSGN
3) SDV
4) Any hull number >773

So the answer? A heck of a lot more than what anyone without high side access could even dream about reading about.

Soylent said:

Major in what you want. I know countless Group III majors who have gone subs or nuke swo.

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True, but I think any group III major would tell you that it's harder to be selected for subs and harder succeed at nuc power school and prototype. Not saying it's impossible or that it isn't done with some regularity. However, if you really want subs, you're better off with a technical major (and this is coming from someone who was a group III major).

We had an Oceanograper on the boat. He was not a nuke, so he wasn't quite as useful to the wardroom as he might have been otherwise...since he couldn't qualify EOOW/EDO. I can't remember what his path was (and why he was there), only can say that I never saw another one like him.

I can think of an arabic, poli sci, and econ major each off the top of my head who got sub drafted. Its ALL about grades as far as getting drafted is concerned, what the admiral wants may be different though.

If you ever want to be a test pilot or astronaut and maybe even just get to some schools you need a technical major, but it doesn't matter which one eazyography is equivalent to aero as far as test pilots are concerned.

Once again, logic would suggest that prospective submariners would be well advised to pursue a math/science or engineering major to prepare him/her for selection and completion of nuke power school. There always are the outliers, but why put the odds against yourself? Keep your focus, and best wishes.

usna1985 said:

True, but I think any group III major would tell you that it's harder to be selected for subs and harder succeed at nuc power school and prototype. Not saying it's impossible or that it isn't done with some regularity. However, if you really want subs, you're better off with a technical major (and this is coming from someone who was a group III major).

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I don't necessarily disagree. I just don't think it's worth it to spend three years in a major you aren't entirely happy with or passionate about (especially when the role your major plays into service selection is unknown or at least secondary to grades).

We had a supply officer who was not a nuke. I think he was the only member of the wardroom that was not a nuke.

I don't think the Chop is ever a nuke...and they are not unrestricted line either.