USSVI VSO | August 1, 2022 

Why You Should Get a Veterans Designation on Your Driver’s License 
military.com/discounts/veterans/why-you-should-get-veterans-designation-your-drivers-license.html?ESRC=navy-a_220720.nl

Military Retirees and Dependents With ID Cards That Don’t Expire Need to Get Replacements Within 4 Years 
military.com/daily-news/2022/07/14/military-retirees-and-dependents-id-cards-dont-expire-need-get-replacements-within-4-years.html?ESRC=navy-a_220720.nl

House Approves Higher Inflation Bonuses as Sweeping Defense Bill Advances 
military.com/daily-news/2022/07/15/house-approves-higher-inflation-bonuses-sweeping-defense-bill-advances.html?ESRC=navy-a_220720.nl

The VA Just Changed This Home Loan Inspection Rule 
military.com/daily-news/2022/07/15/va-just-changed-home-loan-inspection-rule.html?ESRC=navy-a_220720.nl

155,000 Military Health System Patients to Be Pushed to Civilian Care Starting This Year 
military.com/daily-news/2022/07/12/155000-military-health-system-patients-be-pushed-civilian-care-starting-year.html?ESRC=mr_220718.nl

These Resorts and Hotels Are Just for Veterans and Military Members 
military.com/travel/these-resorts-and-hotels-are-just-veterans-and-military-members.html?ESRC=mr_220711.nl

Senators Block VA Review of Hospital Closures, Upgrades 
military.com/daily-news/2022/06/28/senators-block-va-review-of-hospital-closures-upgrades.html?ESRC=mr_220704.nl

Requirement for Women to Register for the Draft Back on thein Annual Defense Bill 
military.com/daily-news/2022/06/27/requirement-women-register-draft-back-table-annual-defense-bill.html?ESRC=mr_220704.nl

New Defense Department ID Cards Are Finally Compatible With TSA Security 
military.com/daily-news/2022/07/22/new-defense-department-id-cards-are-finally-compatible-tsa-security.html?ESRC=mr_220725.nl

House Panel Approves Expansion of GI Bill Eligibility After Sparring over COVID Vaccine 
military.com/daily-news/2022/07/19/house-panel-approves-expansion-of-gi-bill-eligibility-after-sparring-over-covid-vaccine.html?ESRC=mr_220725.nl

Roughly 150 Patients Harmed by Flaw in the New VA Medical Records System, Watchdog Finds 
military.com/daily-news/2022/07/19/roughly-150-patients-harmed-flaw-new-va-medical-records-system-watchdog-finds.html?ESRC=mr_220725.nl

Church that Allegedly Scammed GI Bill Benefits Is Proof More Oversight Is Needed, Advocate Tells Congress 
military.com/daily-news/2022/07/20/church-allegedly-scammed-gi-bill-benefits-proof-more-oversight-needed-advocate-tells-congress.html?ESRC=mr_220725.nl

VA to Get First Permanent Official for Top Health Job Since 2017 
military.com/daily-news/2022/07/21/va-get-first-permanent-official-top-health-job-2017.html?ESRC=mr_220725.nl

Disney Discounts for Military Families 
military.com/discounts/disney-discounts-for-military-families.html?ESRC=navy-a_220727.nl

Fate of Historic Toxic Exposure Bill Unclear After Shocking Senate Defeat 
military.com/daily-news/2022/07/28/fate-of-historic-toxic-exposure-bill-unclear-after-shocking-senate-defeat.html?ESRC=mr_220801.nl

CLOSED

Mahalo to all that participated and submitted nominations.

On April 1, 2022 Base Commander Paul Jurcsak issued an “Honorary Submariner” certificate to Barry “Crazy Ivan” Crow.

Julian Medina, RMCS(SS) Retired, better known as Chingas, was stationed onboard USS Bremerton (SSN-698) and one of the squadrons here in Pearl Harbor.

He presently lives in Ingram, TX, and has some health issues mostly from agent orange exposure during two tours in Nam.

His golfing buddy Barry Crow (a retired railroad engineer) lives about fifty miles away from Chingas, but he picks him up for doctor appointments at the VA and anything else he needs, as Chingas has trouble driving.

Barry is crazy about submarines, reads everything he can about them and is referred to as Crazy Ivan. Chingas is so grateful to Barry so he asked Karl Dye for honorary submarine certificate from the Bowfin Pearl Harbor Base knowing it would mean the world to Barry.

Welcome to the “Brothers of the Phin” Barry!

Today, is the 122nd birthday of the U.S. Navy’s Submarine Force. As U.S. submariners celebrate their birthday around the world this month, they honor the heroes who have served past and present.

Submarines have a long history in the United States, beginning with Turtle, during the American Revolution. The world’s first combat submarine, invented by David Bushnell, was devised as a means of breaking the British blockade of Boston Harbor but was unsuccessful on multiple attempts. The U.S. Navy officially joined the undersea world when it purchased USS Holland (SS-1) on April 11, 1900, and commissioned her on October 12, 1900. The boat, designed by John P. Holland, proved valuable for experimental purposes during her 10-year career.

Although submarines did not play a large part for the U.S. during World War I, submarines such as USS K-5 (Submarine No. 36), one of the first U.S. diesel-electric submarines, deployed to the Azores patrolling for German submarines. World War II was when the submarine force became the workhorse of the U.S. Navy. Assessments indicated that U.S. submarines sank 540,192 tons of Japanese naval vessels, and 4,779,902 tons of merchant shipping during the course of the war, accounting for 54.6 percent of all Japanese vessel losses. World War II submarine operations paved the way for most of today’s submarine missions.

USS Nautilus (SSN-571) — developed by Hyman G. Rickover — was the first nuclear-powered submarine, and the first submarine to cross the North Pole under the Arctic polar ice pack. USS George Washington (SSBN-598) made history on July 20, 1960, when she successfully launched the first Polaris from a submerged submarine. The Tomahawk land-attack missile was later developed, and was first used by, submarines in combat during Operation Desert Storm by USS Louisville (SSN-724) and USS Pittsburgh (SSN-720).

The submarine community is a small force which delivers a major impact and provides unique capabilities to operational commanders. As the maritime security environment has evolved into an asymmetrical warfighting scenario, we now face new weapons systems that can threaten our joint forces at over-the-horizon ranges. These long range challenges underscore the demands on the submarine force to meet their growing and increasing scopes of responsibilities.

Today’s submarine force is the most capable force in the world and the history of the U.S. Navy. The men and women of the U.S. Submarine Force are the most highly trained, dedicated and professional sailors performing some of the most difficult jobs during stealth deployments around the world.

Commander Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet Birthday Message

“Of all the branches of the men in the forces there is none which shows more devotion and faces grimmer perils than the submariners.”
Sir Winston Churchill

A ceremony to celebrate the commissioning of the nuclear-powered USS Delaware (SSN 791) submarine took place at the Port of Wilmington on Saturday.

It marked the first time in nearly a century that the name of the First State has been used for a U.S. Navy vessel and the first time it’s ever been used for a submarine.

While the Virginia-class submarine was administratively commissioned underwater due to COVID-19 complications in April 2020, Saturday’s event was to commemorate the ceremonial inauguration of the 7,800-ton vessel.

President Joe Biden and Jill Biden were guests. The first lady is the sponsor of the submarine, an honorary role in which she participates in the milestones of the vessel’s life. A sponsor’s spirit is meant to protect and guide the ship and its crew during its lifetime.

Sen. Tom Carper, a Navy veteran himself, was the keynote speaker. He was joined by Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki, Gov. John Carney, Rep. Lisa Blunt-Rochester, Sen. Chris Coons and high-ranking Navy officials.

The U.S. Navy and 26 partners and allies have concluded a final planning conference for this year’s Rim of the Pacific exercise, the largest international maritime exercise.

“This conference represents one of the last steps to making this exercise a reality and is the perfect opportunity here in Hawaii to allow participants the opportunity to see where we will all be operating in July,” RIMPAC Coordinator Royal Australian Navy Lt. Cmdr. James Dobson said in a U.S. Navy news release. “The level of teamwork, planning and cooperation between participants has been fantastic, ensuring that this exercise will be executed safely and professionally.”

The exercise will take place in July and August in and around Hawaii.

https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2022/03/25/navy-finalizes-plans-for-next-rim-of-the-pacific-exercise/

We have many individual Members and Bases that contribute untold hours working to help their shipmates, advance our organization and follow the directives of our Purpose/Creed. Unfortunately, too many of these efforts and accomplishments go unnoticed because they take place at the local level and remain under National’s Radar.

Please don’t procrastinate, read the individual award requirements and submission procedures described in the 2022 USSVI Awards Manual and take the painless steps to recognize these Shipmates, Bases and Newsletters.

The USSVI Awards

Joe Negri Award (Submarine Veteran of the Year)
Robert Link National Commander’s Award
District Commander of the Year Award
Meritorious Award Golden Anchor Award
Silver Anchor Award
Ben Bastura Historical Achievement Award
Newsletter of the Year Award

2022 Awards Submission Timeline:

FEBRUARY 1: Award Nomination period opens and all USSVI Members in good standing submit Award nominations to the National Awards Chair.

APRIL 30: All Award nominations (with exception of Newsletter Award) must be received by the National Awards Chair at the close of business on this date.

MAY 15: All Newsletter Award nominations must be received by the National Awards Chair at the close of business on this date.

MAY 17: The National Awards Chair submits nominations to the respective Award on Committee Chair for voting and on of recipients.

JUNE 15: All Award Sel-Committee Chairs report selections to the National Awards Chair.

Please submit questions and nominations to the National Awards Chairman, Harold W (Bill) Scott II at hscottss242@gmail.com or mail to the following address:

National Awards Program Chair
Harold W (Bill) Scott II
901 Busleigh Castle Way
Pflugerville, TX 78660-7474

USSVI Awards List

On Thursday March 17 Bowfin Pearl Harbor Base Subvets (Paul Jurcsak, Brett Kulbis, Dan Del Monte, and Karl Dye), welcomed the Virginia-class fast-attack submarine USS Minnesota (SSN 783) as it made its homecoming arrival to Pearl Harbor after completing a change of homeport from Groton.

USS Minnesota Arrives at Pearl Harbor

Story by Petty Officer 1st Class Michael B Zingaro, Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet PAO

The Virginia-class fast-attack submarine USS Minnesota (SSN 783) arrived at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam following a change of homeport from Groton, Connecticut, Mar. 16.

“[The crew of] Minnesota is excited to arrive in beautiful Pearl Harbor and add support to the Pacific theater,” said Cmdr. Brad Bozin, Minnesota’s commanding officer. “We are thrilled to become part of the rich history of warfighters and camaraderie of the Pacific Fleet. The crew recently completed a seven-month deployment and exceeded all of my expectations; I look forward to bringing this success to the Pacific.”

Minnesota is the sixth Virginia-class fast-attack submarine stationed at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam and is assigned to Submarine Squadron 1.

“I humbly and enthusiastically, on behalf of the Peal Harbor ohana, with the warmth, culture and spirit, truly unique to the state of Hawaii, welcome the officers and crew of the good ship Minnesota,” said Capt. Melvin Smith, commodore, Submarine Squadron 1. “The 783 team, affectionately known as the Vikings, an enduring title attached to the storied history of the namesake state, is a welcome sight. With the tensions in the world, and the challenges that they represent to our national security and way of life, all that claim respite in the Pacific AOR [area of operation] should sleep easier knowing that the 783 is here, shouldering its portion of the mantel to defend us, facing down adversity and threats with the relentless power from the north.”

Since Minnesota’s delivery to Groton in 2016, the submarine completed three deployments and participated in numerous exercises and certifications. Minnesota earned the 2019 Battenberg Cup (best ship in the Atlantic Fleet) along with multiple Commander, Submarine Squadron 4 Battle Efficiency and departmental awards. Minnesota recently completed the first interoperability exercise with the Columbian Navy in the Caribbean Sea.

“We were able to stress the importance of maintaining our deployment warfare readiness based on the potential to be called upon to respond to world events at any time,” said Bozin. “First and foremost, we had to ensure all Sailors were ready to move their homes and the ship to Pearl Harbor so they could focus on battle readiness and not personal issues. Once the Sailors were taken care of, my team was able to develop our training plan to maintain battle readiness.”

Commissioned Sep. 7, 2013, Minnesota is the third U.S. Navy ship to share the name of the North Star State. Minnesota is more than 377 feet long and can displace nearly 7,800 tons. Minnesota has a crew of approximately 140 Sailors. Minnesota is capable of supporting various missions, including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship warfare, strike warfare, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.

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