Sub skipper training in WW2

Barkerov · 04-12-16, 12:02 AM

I am curious about the process in general by which a US navy officer became a sub skipper during the course of WW2 and also before the pacific war broke out.

It looks like most skippers spent some time as an XO before being given a command (http://www.fleetorganization.com/submarines.html) but I have no idea how long that would take or what happened beforehand. I am assuming it was a few patrols but I have no idea really and I thought this would be the place to start asking.

Sniper297 · 04-14-16, 10:23 AM

Training Command for subs operated S boats out of Groton or New London Connecticut in Long Island Sound. Officers had to spend some time aboard surface ships before transfer to submarine school, so were usually at least a Lieutenant JG before they ever saw the inside of a sub. Once they qualified and got their dolphin pins in the submarine service and served as XO, they went through Prospective Commanding Officer training, and had to pass some tests before being qualified as a CO.

During the war they also went on one patrol as a PCO with a CO who had already made at least one war patrol as a skipper.

Rather than just watching the movies, read the books:

Run Silent Run Deep
The Caine Mutiny
The Cruel Sea

Those three classics cover a lot of the details about new officer training during WWII.

04-12-16, 12:02 AM	#1
Barkerov Soundman Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Australia Posts: 147 Downloads: 42 Uploads: 0	Sub skipper training in WW2 I am curious about the process in general by which a US navy officer became a sub skipper during the course of WW2 and also before the pacific war broke out. It looks like most skippers spent some time as an XO before being given a command (http://www.fleetorganization.com/submarines.html) but I have no idea how long that would take or what happened beforehand. I am assuming it was a few patrols but I have no idea really and I thought this would be the place to start asking.

04-14-16, 10:23 AM	#2
Sniper297 The Old Man Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Philadelphia Shipyard Brig Posts: 1,386 Downloads: 160 Uploads: 19	Training Command for subs operated S boats out of Groton or New London Connecticut in Long Island Sound. Officers had to spend some time aboard surface ships before transfer to submarine school, so were usually at least a Lieutenant JG before they ever saw the inside of a sub. Once they qualified and got their dolphin pins in the submarine service and served as XO, they went through Prospective Commanding Officer training, and had to pass some tests before being qualified as a CO. During the war they also went on one patrol as a PCO with a CO who had already made at least one war patrol as a skipper. Rather than just watching the movies, read the books: Run Silent Run Deep The Caine Mutiny The Cruel Sea Those three classics cover a lot of the details about new officer training during WWII.