Boarding a US NAVY NUCLEAR SUBMARINE in the Arctic - Smarter Every Day 240

Find another way to know where you are under the ice. And that's why being in a

submarine

under the ice is so important. -LT. HOWARD: It is, yes. Being underwater in general is a big problem, but especially under ice, where you don't have the option to get out, and correctly understanding where you are with GPS is especially important. DESTIN: If you hadn't sent me this footage, I wouldn't have known what it looked like under the ice. Because when I was in the

submarine

I couldn't see anything. So what am I looking at here? LT. HOWARD: We brought our AUV, Autonomous Underwater Vehicle, on the Macrura with us from MIT.

Macrura is being deployed from the hole we had at Camp Seadragon. So it's going down slowly. We're pushing it down with a weight right now. But at a certain depth, the mission begins and the tail cone takes control and propels itself downward to accomplish its mission. DESTIN: So you guys are controlling it, like a video game. LT. HOWARD: No, it's actually completely autonomous. We can talk to him once he's deployed, but he has a preloaded mission plan that he executes. And we can update it, but you don't need to talk to us all the time to know what it's doing.

DESTIN: Then it's time to understand the command structure on the ship. Now I knew there were officers and enlisted service members, but I didn't really understand the exact roles of each. Enlisted personnel have specialties with specific job functions such as torpedoes or engineering. Officers manage these enlisted personnel, plan missions, and provide and assign tasks. There are three main leadership positions on the ship. Of course the captain sets the objectives and then you have two people who carry them out. There is the executive officer and also the boss of the ship, also known as the COB. Toledo's COB is Arnell Brantley.

He is a master chief, which is the highest enlisted rank in the Navy. I learned very quickly that he knows

every

thing about the ship and

every

thing about the entire crew. Throughout this series of videos, you will see that he is an extremely humble guy, but what you don't realize is that he commands respect in every room he walks into, both from enlisted personnel and officers. These are the chief's quarters, where high-ranking enlisted personnel come to blow off steam. Let's listen to Arnell talk about his role on the ship. So you are the bridge between the officers and the enlisted.

Am. Basically we have what we call the triad on the boat. Then there's the captain, the XO, and then there's me. So the captain is up. And then me and XO next door. I'm like the enlisted advisor on, I like to say, people's problems. I do people problems. And whatever's going on, I take care of it. The CEO does all the training, getting people, dealing with things. And basically... we're the bridge to get the information to the captain, to help him make an informed decision about whatever he wants to do, so I'm just the middle ground.

I like to call myself everyone's dad. -Somewhere in there. -DESTIN: Yes. But I mean, that position is really important, because he understands things at a very deep level. Good? Yeah, he's the most important guy on the ship. Yes. I've heard several people say that, that their highest ranking soldier... these guys... these guys... and I always hold out here... He does. --a lot. DESTIN: Are you allowed to do that? He is. He knows the handshake. I'm here more than in the wardroom, simply because this is where everything happens. This is where all the information comes from. These guys really run the ship, completely.

So I usually spend a lot more time here than in most spaces, just because... DESTIN: Is that normal for a captain? So he's not. It's good to have it. Really is. It's good to have it. For example, the relationship we have now with him coming in, he learns a lot more and we get to talk to him a lot more. So he can see a lot more things there, because there are some commands that don't work like we do. I think we probably have it here, one of the best overall command teams I've seen in a long time and our interaction.

So it's not normal, but it's good that we have it here. DESTIN: Understood. Because usually this... you know, we call it the club. We're joking a little. But usually you have to invite the captain here. Is that correct? Uh, I wouldn't say that... I think most people would probably feel uncomfortable if he came here. Yes but not me. It's like he gets along with everyone. -Yeah. -We are all quite united. DESTIN: Understood. Who is better at Xbox? Yes. So what do you guys play? To get mad. I play Madden and I play Madden. DESTIN: Yes. So it's time to meet the third person in the command structure triad, as the COB called it.

This is the CEO or XO. This is CEO Andrews. You are basically the teeth of the ship. -That's a very good way to put it. I try to think of myself a little better than that. -But you are the order on the ship. Alright? -I think my personality has a place in that type of situation. Someone has to make that effort to make sure the day to day things are happening. And I'm the one who goes around, making sure that happens. COB is dedicated to ensuring that enlisted guys are taken care of. I am dedicated to ensuring that the captain does not have to worry about the day to day, so that he can focus on the big problems.

And then I'm the one who goes after the guy who hasn't delivered his stuff on time. I'm the one going after the guy who hasn't completed his program the way it should be completed. And that's the job. DESTIN: Where are you from? I'm from northern Nevada, Gardnerville. It is near Lake Tahoe. DESTIN: Really. Did you... did you want to do this? Did you just fall for this or...? A little bit of that. But I loved visiting submarines as a midshipman, because they are the most wonderful people to work with. Everyone I work with is incredibly smart and motivated.

I can assign a task to almost anyone and they will excel at what they are doing. That's why I work with the best group of guys in the world. And I think that's what keeps me coming back and wanting to do more. DESTIN: So the XO and the COB make things happen. Under the COB is the team leader and under the XO are the department heads and junior officers. Here we have one of those junior officers explaining what he likes to do on the ship. I really like driving the ship, being a deck officer. It is a huge responsibility and the captain simply put a lot of faith in his junior officers to carry out his intention.

And that's why feeling so confident always feels great. DESTIN: I spent a lot of time talking to people and trying to establish a good relationship. And from time to time I was a little wrong. Good job. I ruined it. I'm sorry. MAJOR CHIEF CARLTON: I was going for the awkward turkey. DESTIN: I was saying...what's awkward turkey? The awkward thing is when... DESTIN: Yeah. So Chief Carlton, the guy who taught me about awkward turkey, has a pretty interesting job. This is Matt. He's been helping me on the boat, along with Chop. But what do you really do?

So I'm in charge of the division that operates the

nuclear

reactor on board. -DESTINATION: The

nuclear

reactor. -Correct. DESTIN: Do you operate the reactor? I used to do it, but now I train people how to do it. DESTIN: So how does that work exactly? I could tell you, but I would... I would have to hide it from you. FATE: Okay. So we're not allowed to talk about it. But that's a pretty important thing. That's great. If you go to the Navy, you learn how to operate a reactor. Pretty special. One thing that really surprised me, as a civilian, when I got on the submarine is that I saw people learning and teaching everywhere I went.

It was a very cerebral environment. Your rank doesn't matter, your position does. They are always learning and teaching. And for every diver, this learning path begins with what is called getting the dolphins. The Dolphins are a great grade on board. Enlisted officer...everyone has to earn their dolphins when they first get here; that is the first priority. And like I said, when you have it, that means you know how to save the boat in case of an accident. That's why they have to know all the systems. So if you ask anyone on board who has dolphins, they say, "hey, what's that?" Hey what is that?

They should know. -DESTIN: Really. -Which is very unique in this. Does everyone have a dolphin here? Oh yeah. CAPTAIN CASTELLANO: These boys... these boys are the oldest. They steer the ship. Yeah, I mean, clearly everyone in the club has dolphins. But is it like your first tour or whatever you call it? What do you call her? The first time you go out, what's your name? -Tour-- your first tour. -First maritime tour. CAPTAIN CASTELLANO: Generally everyone is second or third. OK. So, on their first trip to the sea, how long does it usually take people to find their dolphins? -You must obtain it in 12 months.

Most people have between six and eight months, the officials have a year. DESTIN: Is it harder for officers? CAPTAIN CASTELLANO: It's different. Is different. So for an officer, it's a year on board. But by then they've already completed 12 months of nuclear power school, three months of submarine school, and they show up... they have to qualify for different things than on the enlisted side. So it takes a little more time. So they had to qualify to become a deck officer to drive the boat before they could capture their dolphin. -So everyone I saw in the control room, are they all officers? -No.

DESTIN: So what's the ratio on the ship? CAPTAIN CASTELLANO: 140 in total, and there are about 13 officers. DESTIN: 13 officers? Thirteen officers, 140 and how many bosses? -Thirteen bosses right now. Normally we have 15 bosses and the rest are not listed. -OK. As I walk around the room, I see many fish on the name tag. PJ, I notice you don't have any fish. -What's happening? -No. So I joined last June. Normally, it takes officers about a year to get our fish. So now I'm back in stern, engineering... qualified in engineering. And now I'm working on my core systems. Usually eight hours back, he goes upstairs, eats really quickly, and then goes back to the books. -DESTIN: Really? -Mm-hm.

DESTIN: So you're studying to do all this? Yes, definitely. Yeah, so working with Ben here, to learn how the different systems work. DESTIN: So a transmission of knowledge occurs? -Oh, absolutely, yes. -Absolutely. And I just finished grading about a month ago. So I'm still pretty fresh. I know exactly what you're going through right now. -Yeah. And we also have all these guys. The other day I was with Díaz checking the torpedo tubes. -If I understand correctly, you as an officer, to a certain level, submit to the soldiers. And in a way you take on that responsibility of teaching them. -Yeah.

Yes sir. And so it's the best thing for us, right, and it also goes along with making sure that they know what they're talking about. Like... even if he is not an officer, if he is a soldier, eventually that person will relieve us of our duties, right? People rotate in and out of the boat. So we have to teach young people to be able to operate at our level. So it's always our job to coach the guys under us. And the same with the officers. DESTIN: Do you think it's harder to be a submariner? -Yeah. -Absolutely.

DESTIN: Yes? There is no one to relieve us. It's just us. -DESTIN: Really? -TRUE. And I've been on a surface ship. This is completely different and a little more difficult. Different... everything is different. So we are under water. We are on a ship that is sinking on purpose. DESTIN: Yeah. So it's definitely different. DESTIN: So if it's harder, why do you do it? Someone has to do it. -DESTIN: Yes. -Yes. I mean, it takes... I would say it takes a special breed of people to do what we do. I was recruiting for three years and the first thing people said when they walked into the office was, "I don't want to go on a submarine." That was one of the first words that came out of his mouth when he was recruiting.

That's why it's very difficult to find people willing to do this. But there are some of us. Obviously everyone on board and all the submarines in the fleet are willing to do it. I do not know why. I guess we just wanted to do it. DESTIN: Yes? I guess I wanted to try it and then end up enjoying it. DESTIN: Is it more of a challenge? -Definitely. -At first. Over time, you start to see... you start to see its effects and its real benefits. It's worth it. DESTIN: What impressed me most about every submariner I saw was that they valued knowledge and understanding, and worked very hard to obtain it.

And I think the reason they do it is because everyone seems to genuinely love their job. And when you love your job, you do it with excellence. I'm having a great time. This is... for me this is the pinnacle of my life. This is where I always wanted to be, command of an operational, fast attack submarine. Just having fun, living life, doing interesting things like ICEX. I just... love it. DESTIN: I had a question while I was on board and it was like the elephant in the room, but I didn't know how to ask it. Then forTo answer this question, I think Lt.

Howard is probably the best person to educate me on this topic. -You are a submariner. -Good. -Do you have your dolphins? -Yeah. I got my Underwater Warfare qualification in December 2017. One question about that. When I boarded the USS Toledo... I don't know how to ask this correctly, so I'll go straight through the front door. All the men were on the boat. And you are a woman. So, you are a submariner. What is happening? Why were there all men on the USS Toledo? And I just don't understand it. So in the Submarine Force women have only been integrated for the last ten years or so.

And we have many submarines in our fleet. So when the Navy decided to start the process of integrating women, they chose to do it first on the largest platform we have, the Ohio class, because it's simply easier to set up areas for men and women to go, things like sleeping and going. to the bathroom. It was just easier to integrate them first. And then little by little, over time, we have also incorporated women into other classes of submarines, specifically the Virginia class. And now we have women in multiple crews, multiple platforms, both officers and enlisted. As I understand it, they will have to modify existing submarine designs for these different facilities for men and women.

Is that what you're doing? Good. And it really is a very small change. In reality, recruitment over time has been increasing. You don't suddenly recruit, you know, several hundred submariners overnight. It's like a long and gradual process. In particular, the newest class of submarine we have, the block four version of the Virginia class, will be gender neutral. Thanks for clarifying all that for me. Now that we better understand the command structure of a nuclear submarine, I hope you will stay tuned for upcoming topics. This is the first video of Smarter Every Day's deep dive into nuclear submarines and how they work.

So I hope you'll consider subscribing, because we'll see a lot of different things happening on the ship. How are oxygen and torpedoes produced? How do you cook? What's up with the sonar? There are so many things we are going to learn, it's incredible. So consider subscribing. Maybe even ring the doorbell so you can get notified when I upload content. Is awesome. Now I'd like to tell you about a very specific audiobook that I think you'll love and that also happens to be extremely important to scuba diving culture. This episode of Smarter Every Day is sponsored by Audible.

I brought you here to show you this field, because I finished it while I was on a submarine. At least that's what it felt like. Because I was listening to Thunder Below! by Admiral Eugene B. Fluckey. This guy changed submarine warfare to the point that when they have a promotion ceremony on most submarines, they read passages from this book. It's like a sacred text. And every diver has heard of Fluckey. So if you want to listen to this, go to Audible.com/

smarter

, or text "

smarter

" to 500-500 and a little link will appear on your phone.

During World War II, there was a guy named Admiral Eugene B. Fluckey. He later earned the Congressional Medal of Honor for what he did on the USS Barb. The Barb sank the most tonnage of any U.S.-side submarine in the entire war. And the techniques and tactics he used were like crazy at that time. He did crazy things. He put rockets on top of his submarine, something he had never done before. It was incredible. Like this... this submarine sank a train. Think about it. If you don't know what main clamp splicing is, you will after listening to this audiobook.

Is incredible. When you sign up as an Audible member, you also get access to all the different Audible Original titles – unique pieces of content created specifically for Audible members. There are tons of things to choose from here, and you can choose from all of them. Go check it out, audible.com/smarter. Text “smarter” to 500-500 for a link. Its alot. You will become smarter. You will get your time back. Audible.com/smarter. Real quick, as I walk out the door, I want to show you these flowers. These are orange flowers in this field. And my dad and I don't hoard these flowers because the butterflies love them.

And we want the butterflies to be happy. So I don't know what type they are, but they are very, very pretty. It is a very vibrant orange. Anyway, I'm so glad you're here and I hope you'll subscribe and stick around for the rest of the deep dive into nuclear submarines here on Smarter Every Day. I'm pumped. Thank you anyway. I'm Destin. You are smarter every day. Have a good. Bye bye.