Ship's Crew

Submarine Organization 101

“Like all military units a modern U.S. nuclear submarine is organized by the various functions the crew performs on a daily basis as it readies itself for an eventual war.  In the Navy, a sailor’s job expertise is called their rating.  The sailors with the same rating are assigned to a division. The divisions that serve similar functions are organized into Departments.  Departments are led by a Department Head, who is a mid-grade officer who reports directly to the Executive Officer and the Commanding Officer.  There are 4 Departments on a modern US nuclear submarine; Weapons, Navigation/Operations, Engineering, and Supply.

The Weapons Department implements the submarine’s ultimate mission; which is to put ordinance on enemy targets at the Captain’s orders to maintain and defend our national interests.  The Weapons Department is responsible for safely handling undersea weapons, such as cruise missiles, torpedoes, and mines, and small arms to defend the ship while in port or transiting along the surface.  The weapons department is in charge of all of the electronic equipment used to detect threats and the mechanical equipment to handle, launch and guide the weapons. 

The Weapons Department is composed of 3 Divisions – Sonar, Fire Control, and Torpedoman’s Divisions.  We’ll start with a description of Sonar – The Sonar Technicians (STS) get to employ what is arguably the most advanced technology on any warfighting vessel.  Modern submarines have many kinds of listening devices that can track and identify friend or foe in any ocean around the world.  The Sonar Techs are the “eyes” and ears of the ship.  Next we have the Fire Control Technicians, or FTs. These sailors take in all the data and information identified by sonar and maintain an accurate picture of the battlespace.  When the decision is made to launch a missile or torpedo, the officers rely on the successful operation of the FT’s “firing solution”.   Before the decision is ultimately made to fire a weapon, you’d better make sure it is properly loaded and ready to launch.  This is the job of the Torpedoman (TMs).  TMs are honed on procedures to keep the ship safe while moving weapons of war within the confined space on a submarine.  Torpedoman’s Mates have to be mechanically inclined since their systems utilize extremely high pressure hydraulics, pneumatics, and system interlocks to prevent catastrophe due to weapons handling operations.  

Weapons Department jobs are among the highest pressure roles on board the boat.  While the ship is not at sea, the weapons department carries a heavy load of maintaining and upgrading their equipment, conducting anti-terrorism/force protection duties, and maintaining proficiency for their at-sea war fighting skill in the many simulation trainers that our Naval Base facilities have to offer.” 

More to come!