Story and Photos by Jen Zeldis
by Jennifer Zeldis
2004 Submarine Force Junior Officers of the Year on the west steps of the U.S. Capitol.
Junior Officers of the Year
Storm Washington, D.C.
W
ith visits to the Capitol, the White House, and the Pentagon, you might think the pack of 18 submariners who came to Washington, Mar. 2 was just a standard group of tourists. However, these were VIPs, here for a series of insider tours and meetings with top-level officers in recognition of their designation as the Submarine Force’s 2004 Junior Officers of the Year (JOOY). Using a series of professional boards and competitions, each squadron and submarine tender selected its own JOOY based on shiphandling, tactical, navigation, and casualty-control skills.
During their three-day visit to the nation’s capital, the young officers met and discussed the future of the Submarine Force with Senator Richard Burr (R-N.C.); Adm. John B. Nathman, Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command (then Vice Chief of Naval Operations); Adm. Kirkland H. Donald, Director, Naval Nuclear Reactors; and Rear Adm. Joseph A. Walsh, Director, Submarine Warfare Division (OPNAV N77). They also had an evening tour of the White House, a chance to explore the halls of the Pentagon, and time to rub elbows with members of Congress at the U.S. Capitol.
Selection to this elite group marks each individual as an officer whose career will be subject to high expectations for years to come, according to Lt. Cmdr. Scott Young, the N77 Congressional Liaison and the JOOY liaison in D.C. However, he believes these Sailors can handle the publicity and the Submarine Force is more than proud to identify its 2004 Junior Officers of the Year. (See sidebar.) UNDERSEA WARFARE Magazine had the opportunity to sit down with these junior officers while they were in the D.C. area to talk about their visit, their careers, and their perspective on the future of the Submarine Force. U N D E R S E A WA R F A R E S U M M E R 2 0 0 5
25
