If you're new to submarine life, whether you're a parent of a newly-christened sailor or a significant other just learning the lingo, it can be incredibly overwhelming. Simply put, you don't know what you don't know. What type of submarine are they on? How often will they be at sea? What's the difference between an [...]
As a follow up from our department head post, we were asked to gather feedback on spouses who have experienced an XO tour! The "XO," or Executive Officer, is second in command and reports directly to the Commanding Officer (CO). An XO is responsible to the captain for all ship's work, drills, exercises, personnel organization, [...]
For dual working parents or single parents, searching for childcare at a new duty station can be overwhelming to say the least! Below is a guide to some of the military childcare benefits available to service members and their families. Child Development Centers The military offers subsidized childcare at Child Development Centers (CDCs) on bases [...]
In honor of World Health Day, we wanted to highlight some health insurance resources you might not be aware of. Tricare is the designated health insurance for military members and their dependents, and everyone's experience is different. Whether you love it or hate it, try to familarize yourself with the resources and processes to avoid [...]
By Guest Author Erin Gregor Last holidays, our team here at The Submerged Life put together a great holiday gift guide! However, giving gifts to sailors about to go on patrol, deployment, or a longer underway poses some special challenges. They have limited time on land to use things like vouchers or spend time on [...]
A boomer, or ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), is a submarine with two crews that take turns taking the boat to sea. Sailors switch between "off crew" when their crew does not "own" the boat and being the crew that "owns" the boat. "Owning" the boat means your sailor's crew works on the submarine and is [...]
The Submarine Birthday Ball is one of the most time honored traditions of the submarine community. National Submarine Day falls on April 11. On that date in 1900, the United States government procured its first modern commissioned submarine, the USS Holland (SS-1). Every year, wherever submariners congregate, there is sure to be a Submarine Birthday Ball. [...]
I’m about to have my second baby. To prepare, my husband and I recently went through our budget. Making room in our budget to become a family of 4 has been overwhelming! I definitely underestimated the amount of things we would need for a second baby and how much it would cost. Then I remembered [...]
Story submitted by Kristin February marks National "Time to Talk Day." This day brings our attention to mental health and the importance of reaching out to others, helping people open up and be honest about their mental health, without the fear and stigma often attached to the topic. It can be daunting to express [...]
