Ryan C. Walker served in the USN from 2014-2019, as an enlisted Fire Control Technician aboard the USS Springfield (SSN-761). Honorably discharged in December of 2019; he graduated Summa Cum Laude from Southern New Hampshire University with a BA in History in January of 2022. He received his distinction MA in Naval history at the University of Portsmouth, where he pursues further studies for a PhD on American submariners from 1915-40. His current research focus is on early submarine culture (1900-1940), early development of Groton as a Naval-Capital Town, and British private men-of-war in the North Atlantic. He currently resides in lovely Groton, CT. Supervisors: Rob James, Matthew Heaslip, and Cathryn Pearce
Researchers of privateers will inevitably find a Horatio Nelson statement (hereafter referred to ... more Researchers of privateers will inevitably find a Horatio Nelson statement (hereafter referred to as the Nelson Quote): 'The conduct of all privateers is, as far as I have seen, so near Piracy, that I only wonder any civilised nation can allow them.' 1 Over the centuries, the quote has taken on a life of its own, often cited by esteemed historians to indicate Nelson was against privateers. 2 Because of Nelson's reputation, historians have disproportionately applied his quotations to illustrate their opinions and validate their teachings on modern-day events and circumstances. The Nelson Quote is no exception. This article will explore Nelson's true opinion on private men-of-war by examining the original text, the context of his statement, other interactions Nelson had with privateers, and the evolution of Nelson's opinion based upon these interactions. It will clarify that Nelson's relationship with private men-of-war was far more nuanced than the manner in which this quote has previously found usage, and advocate a measured use of similar Nelsonian quotations.
The current production of ships, particularly submarines, has become a subject of interest as geo... more The current production of ships, particularly submarines, has become a subject of interest as geopolitical circumstances become increasingly uncertain. Solutions to increase shipyard productivity are primarily long-term solutions that seek to reverse the post-Cold War atrophy of the defense industrial base and are hindered by the necessity of building supply chains for new Naval-Capital Towns. As investment has maintained a smaller industrial base since 1991, for the foreseeable future, the shipyards that are producing and repairing today are all that can be reasonably depended on in the short-term (3-5 years). The United States can do well by recognizing this fact and looking at alternative methods to increase production in existing areas, such as returning to shift work seven days a week on a modified Dupont schedule used in facilities requiring 24-hour support. The modification would be the shift work time availability and switching to a gold-blue crew working two 10-hour first and second shifts, on a four day on/four day off schedule, henceforth referred to as an 8-4-2-10 schedule (eight-day work week, four days per crew, two primary shifts working ten-hour days).
Seapower by Other Means: Naval Contributions to National Objectives Beyond Sea Control and Power Projection, 2023
Groton, Connecticut, is the Self-Proclaimed Submarine Capital of the World, largely due to Genera... more Groton, Connecticut, is the Self-Proclaimed Submarine Capital of the World, largely due to General Dynamics Electric Boat and New London Submarine Base being located in the town. The process of Groton becoming synonymous with submarine production and operation occurred from approximately 1864-1940 as a focal point for naval production, an entity referred to as a Naval-Capital Town. The Naval-Capital Town serves as the center of a vast, national network channeling resources into the nation's navy and has profound identity impacts. The Second World War production boom and the construction of nuclear submarines in the region were direct results of Groton becoming a Naval-Capital Town.
United States Navy sailors are excellent subjects for personal microhistories due to the volume o... more United States Navy sailors are excellent subjects for personal microhistories due to the volume of surviving official documentation in the form of their Official Military Personnel Files. This article deconstructs a grand narrative surrounding Henry Breault, the only enlisted sailor to receive his Medal of Honor while serving aboard a submarine. Breault experienced contemporary enshrinement, a long period of sporadic interest, and a later iconographic construction into a submarine folk hero in the present day. Breault has come to represent unnamed submariners, who are expected to perform in the same fashion with no expectation of similar commendation. It is found that Breault is still representative of sailors, but as an ordinary man who acted in an extraordinary manner when circumstance required. The methodology provides insight into Breault's relationship and connection to greater society as a submariner and as a highly decorated sailor in the interwar period.
Naval-Capital-Towns (NCT's) serve as a pivotal transaction point for the defense industry. They w... more Naval-Capital-Towns (NCT's) serve as a pivotal transaction point for the defense industry. They work as the the area where a diverse group of activities converge to create a final product. For Groton, this manifests in Submarine Base New London and General Dynamics Electric Boat. Written for Center of International Maritime Security's (CIMSEC) Human Factors Week, this article discuses how Groton achieved the status as an NCT and what issues are present presenting full labor employment in the region.
Previously, two separate cultures existed within the submarine fleet, diesel and nuclear. The USS... more Previously, two separate cultures existed within the submarine fleet, diesel and nuclear. The USS Thresher tragedy on April 10, 1963 hastened the end of the binary approach and eventually led to the single bedrock foundation that submarine culture now rests on. The United States Navy’s Submarine Safety (SUBSAFE) Program is written in the blood of the 129 souls who died on the USS Thresher and remain on eternal patrol. Diesel submarine culture, epitomized by the slogan “Diesel Boats Forever,” would be replaced by the cold, calculating, and rigorous nuclear culture design by Hyman G. Rickover. Current proposals to reintroduce diesel submarines in the Navy’s fleet focus on fiscal and operational factors, but the potential risks to its submarine culture should also be considered. This article will examine how the two communities previously interacted as diesel submariners were forced to take on the extra burden of supporting a new technology while that same technology was replacing them. It will further offer that this is not inevitable, but should reintroduction proposals ever gain currency, the conversation on submarine culture should be a major topic by political and military leaders.
Republished in Australian Naval Institute and American Submariner Magazine.
Researchers of privateers will inevitably find a Horatio Nelson statement (hereafter referred to ... more Researchers of privateers will inevitably find a Horatio Nelson statement (hereafter referred to as the Nelson Quote): 'The conduct of all privateers is, as far as I have seen, so near Piracy, that I only wonder any civilised nation can allow them.' 1 Over the centuries, the quote has taken on a life of its own, often cited by esteemed historians to indicate Nelson was against privateers. 2 Because of Nelson's reputation, historians have disproportionately applied his quotations to illustrate their opinions and validate their teachings on modern-day events and circumstances. The Nelson Quote is no exception. This article will explore Nelson's true opinion on private men-of-war by examining the original text, the context of his statement, other interactions Nelson had with privateers, and the evolution of Nelson's opinion based upon these interactions. It will clarify that Nelson's relationship with private men-of-war was far more nuanced than the manner in which this quote has previously found usage, and advocate a measured use of similar Nelsonian quotations.
The current production of ships, particularly submarines, has become a subject of interest as geo... more The current production of ships, particularly submarines, has become a subject of interest as geopolitical circumstances become increasingly uncertain. Solutions to increase shipyard productivity are primarily long-term solutions that seek to reverse the post-Cold War atrophy of the defense industrial base and are hindered by the necessity of building supply chains for new Naval-Capital Towns. As investment has maintained a smaller industrial base since 1991, for the foreseeable future, the shipyards that are producing and repairing today are all that can be reasonably depended on in the short-term (3-5 years). The United States can do well by recognizing this fact and looking at alternative methods to increase production in existing areas, such as returning to shift work seven days a week on a modified Dupont schedule used in facilities requiring 24-hour support. The modification would be the shift work time availability and switching to a gold-blue crew working two 10-hour first and second shifts, on a four day on/four day off schedule, henceforth referred to as an 8-4-2-10 schedule (eight-day work week, four days per crew, two primary shifts working ten-hour days).
Seapower by Other Means: Naval Contributions to National Objectives Beyond Sea Control and Power Projection, 2023
Groton, Connecticut, is the Self-Proclaimed Submarine Capital of the World, largely due to Genera... more Groton, Connecticut, is the Self-Proclaimed Submarine Capital of the World, largely due to General Dynamics Electric Boat and New London Submarine Base being located in the town. The process of Groton becoming synonymous with submarine production and operation occurred from approximately 1864-1940 as a focal point for naval production, an entity referred to as a Naval-Capital Town. The Naval-Capital Town serves as the center of a vast, national network channeling resources into the nation's navy and has profound identity impacts. The Second World War production boom and the construction of nuclear submarines in the region were direct results of Groton becoming a Naval-Capital Town.
United States Navy sailors are excellent subjects for personal microhistories due to the volume o... more United States Navy sailors are excellent subjects for personal microhistories due to the volume of surviving official documentation in the form of their Official Military Personnel Files. This article deconstructs a grand narrative surrounding Henry Breault, the only enlisted sailor to receive his Medal of Honor while serving aboard a submarine. Breault experienced contemporary enshrinement, a long period of sporadic interest, and a later iconographic construction into a submarine folk hero in the present day. Breault has come to represent unnamed submariners, who are expected to perform in the same fashion with no expectation of similar commendation. It is found that Breault is still representative of sailors, but as an ordinary man who acted in an extraordinary manner when circumstance required. The methodology provides insight into Breault's relationship and connection to greater society as a submariner and as a highly decorated sailor in the interwar period.
Naval-Capital-Towns (NCT's) serve as a pivotal transaction point for the defense industry. They w... more Naval-Capital-Towns (NCT's) serve as a pivotal transaction point for the defense industry. They work as the the area where a diverse group of activities converge to create a final product. For Groton, this manifests in Submarine Base New London and General Dynamics Electric Boat. Written for Center of International Maritime Security's (CIMSEC) Human Factors Week, this article discuses how Groton achieved the status as an NCT and what issues are present presenting full labor employment in the region.
Previously, two separate cultures existed within the submarine fleet, diesel and nuclear. The USS... more Previously, two separate cultures existed within the submarine fleet, diesel and nuclear. The USS Thresher tragedy on April 10, 1963 hastened the end of the binary approach and eventually led to the single bedrock foundation that submarine culture now rests on. The United States Navy’s Submarine Safety (SUBSAFE) Program is written in the blood of the 129 souls who died on the USS Thresher and remain on eternal patrol. Diesel submarine culture, epitomized by the slogan “Diesel Boats Forever,” would be replaced by the cold, calculating, and rigorous nuclear culture design by Hyman G. Rickover. Current proposals to reintroduce diesel submarines in the Navy’s fleet focus on fiscal and operational factors, but the potential risks to its submarine culture should also be considered. This article will examine how the two communities previously interacted as diesel submariners were forced to take on the extra burden of supporting a new technology while that same technology was replacing them. It will further offer that this is not inevitable, but should reintroduction proposals ever gain currency, the conversation on submarine culture should be a major topic by political and military leaders.
Republished in Australian Naval Institute and American Submariner Magazine.
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Republished in Maritime Executive.
Republished in Australian Naval Institute and American Submariner Magazine.
Republished in Maritime Executive.
Republished in Australian Naval Institute and American Submariner Magazine.