Gregory Hocking

The Naval Nuclear Power School (NNPS) was established in 1955 as part of the United States Navy’s efforts to develop a highly trained force for its growing fleet of nuclear-powered submarines and ships. Originally located in New London, Connecticut, and later moved to Bainbridge, Maryland, the school finally settled in Charleston, South Carolina, in 1998. NNPS provides rigorous academic instruction in nuclear physics, reactor engineering, and thermodynamics to enlisted personnel and officers selected for service in the Navy’s nuclear propulsion program. The school's graduates have played vital roles in operating and maintaining the Navy's nuclear-powered warships, contributing significantly to the United States’ maritime dominance and strategic deterrence capabilities.

USS Tinosa refers to two submarines in the United States Navy, the most notable being USS Tinosa (SS-283), a Gato-class submarine commissioned in 1943 during World War II. Tinosa (SS-283) earned distinction for her aggressive patrols in the Pacific, sinking several enemy vessels and surviving numerous depth charge attacks. One of her most famous actions occurred during her second war patrol, when she encountered a Japanese tanker and experienced repeated torpedo malfunctions, highlighting critical flaws in U.S. torpedo design. After the war, Tinosa was decommissioned in 1953, having earned nine battle stars for her wartime service.

USS Bergall (SSN-667) was a Sturgeon-class attack submarine commissioned by the United States Navy on June 13, 1969. Serving during the Cold War, she conducted numerous surveillance and intelligence-gathering missions, as well as anti-submarine warfare exercises, primarily in the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. Bergall played a critical role in supporting U.S. naval operations and maintaining undersea superiority during her nearly three decades of service. She was decommissioned on June 6, 1996, and later scrapped under the Nuclear-Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program.

Naval Recruit Training Command (RTC), located at Great Lakes, Illinois, is the United States Navy’s only boot camp. Established in 1911, it has trained millions of sailors for service, especially during major conflicts like both World Wars, Korea, Vietnam, and the Global War on Terrorism. Throughout its history, Great Lakes has adapted its training programs to meet evolving naval needs, incorporating advances in technology, tactics, and diversity. Today, RTC Great Lakes remains a critical institution, transforming civilians into sailors and serving as the gateway to the modern Navy.