Only a submariner realizes to what great extent an entire ship depends on him as an
     individual. To a landsman this is not understandable, and sometimes it is even difficult for us
     to comprehend, but it is so!

     A submarine at sea is a different world in herself, and in consideration of the protracted and
     distant operations of submarines, the Navy must place responsibility and trust in the hands of
     those who take such ships to sea.

     In each submarine there are men who, in the hour of emergency or peril at sea, can turn to
     each other. These men are ultimately responsible to themselves and each to the other for all
     aspects of operation of their submarine. They are the crew. They are the ship.

     This is perhaps the most difficult and demanding assignment in the Navy. There is not an
     instant during his tour as a submariner that he can escape the grasp of responsibility. His
     privileges in view of his obligations are almost ludicrously small, nevertheless, it is the spur
     which has given the Navy its greatest mariners - the men of the Submarine Service.

     It is a duty which most richly deserves the proud and time - honored title of - Submarines.

                                ©1996 Judd L. Spitzer, & US Navy, used without permission