Senior Chief Petty Officer Thomas Harris, U.S. Navy
A rope-swing swim call from the superstructure of a ballistic-missile submarine. The rope attached to the fairwater planes created an arc of swing unmatched on any inland American river or tributary.
Al DeHart, U.S. Navy Veteran
I served on board the USS Casimir
Pulaski (SSBN-633) for three patrols in the North Atlantic. The biggest morale boost was getting the familygram messages from home. They provided some welcome joy to a lonely patrol.
Commander John P. McNichols Jr., U.S. Navy (Retired)
During the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, after our boat, the USS Sam Houston (SSBN-609), was placed on alert and told to “conserve rations and remain on patrol until otherwise directed,” a morale-boosting message was received directing us to return to Holy Loch, Scotland. It is impossible to convey the relief that all on board experienced!
Captain Bill Sheehan, U.S. Navy (Retired)
No matter the submarine patrol, the biggest morale boost was the half-way night festivities. The officers and crew gathered in the crew’s mess to celebrate that the patrol was half over. Each division and the wardroom did a skit to amuse and, sometimes, gently embarrass the skit target (often the executive officer or a department head).
Captain Randolph M. Brooks, U.S. Navy (Retired)
My wife gave me a large box filled with an envelope for every day of the 72-day submerged deterrent patrol on board the USS Stonewall Jackson (SSBN-634). I was thrilled to open each envelope and find all kinds of surprises (photos, messages, etc.). The last day was really good!
Captain Pete Pagano, U.S. Navy (Retired)
I was officer of the deck in the Persian Gulf during Operation Earnest Will when the crew was having a “beer day,” having been at sea for 45 days. The commanding officer asked me if I had my beers yet. I replied I had not. He said, “Go ahead, I’ll take the deck for awhile.” I had my two beers and went back to the bridge elated that he did such a cool thing for this young
ensign on his first deployment.
Commander Terry Beatty, U.S. Navy (Retired)
A visit from Santa while on a ballistic-missile submarine patrol in the North Atlantic, with a present for each crewmember, thanks to the diligent work of the chief of the boat and the wives’ clubs (officer and enlisted).
Lieutenant Anna Kang, U.S. Navy
Easter sunrise service in the hangar bay. In the midst of a western Pacific deployment, taking an hour to sing hymns and worship alongside the ship’s crew, embarked staff, and Marines reminded me of the joy that comes from building community beyond my immediate work circle.
Commander Augusto Conte, Spanish Navy
In 2004, during a patrol with the submarine Tramontana, we conducted a challenging exercise to launch a torpedo with a live warhead. Despite communication failures and equipment problems, we hit the target, boosting morale. The exercise was observed by His Majesty the King of Spain, making it a turning point for the Spanish Navy.
Commander Richard Bennett, U.S. Navy (Retired)
As an Officer Candidate School graduate only half a year out of pipeline training and manning the geoplot at periscope depth, I heard the executive officer say, “Bennett, get over here and look at this!” So this ensign gets to take a break and see what the mission is all about, however briefly.
Captain Bill Gravell, U.S. Navy (Retired)
My submarine-riding days are long behind me, but at that time when there was no way to get messages off the boat, the ability to receive brief and infrequent reassurance in the form of “family grams” was a precious and enormous morale boost. We cryppies (who worked in the radio room) used to work on “cracking the codes,” and we sometimes succeeded.
Chief Warrant Officer Robert Labrenz, U.S. Navy
The biggest morale boost on any deployment has always been, for me, a port visit. The longer the at-sea period, the less the actual port matters. The chance to get ashore, to see new faces and enjoy new experiences, if only for a day or two, recharges the spirit for the next stretch at sea.
Captain John W. Tokarewich, U.S. Navy (Retired)
Movie night. Once a week, our MNC-I Civil Affairs shop at Camp Victory would select a movie to watch as a group, while sharing care packages from home. It was a nice break from the long “Groundhog Day” routine and provided a needed sense of normalcy.
Chief Petty Officer John M. Duffy, U.S. Navy (Retired)
On board the USS Essex (LHD-2) in 1998, we spent four months at sea without a liberty port while patrolling the Persian Gulf enforcing the southern no-fly zone. Steel beach (flight deck) barbeques that included two cans of Foster’s beer were a great morale boost for our crew.
Lieutenant Commander Scott A. Wallace, U.S. Navy
With Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369 halfway through Unit Deployment Program 17-2, I was able to attend the Navy’s week-long aeromedical conference in Pensacola to maintain medical currency and see my wife, daughter, and son, who was only a few weeks old when we deployed. It was like a brief taste of home.
John Pratt, U.S. Navy Veteran
Coffee.
Commander Jason Lancaster, U.S. Navy
During my 2020 COVID deployment, no-shave chits and amazon packages boosted my morale.
Bill Todd Jr., U.S. Navy Veteran
Mail call!
