The Patch Randal S. Gustafson proudly wore while serving aboard the Los Angeles Class Submarine, USS Albuquerque (SSN 706).

The Patch Randal S. Gustafson proudly wore while serving aboard the Los Angeles Class Submarine, USS Albuquerque (SSN 706).

Joining us as my Special Guest this week is Randal S. Gustafson (Randy) former United States Navy Lieutenant aboard the billion dollar USS Albuquerque, rated as the #1 "fast attack" submarine in the Atlantic Fleet. 

Each week the Soiree highlights yet another interesting and highly successful Special Guest and this week is no exception. 

Randy graduated from Scottsdale's very own Chaparral High School in 1980, 1 of 100 students across the nation to win the prestigious Century III Leadership Award.  He also obtained a Congressional Appointment into both the Air Force Academy and the Naval Academy.  He chose to attend the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, MD (at that time the most selective school in the country).  Upon graduation he served in the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon, followed by one-and-a-half years of intensive training, before joining his submarine, which was homeported in Connecticut.  After spending more than 3 years assigned to his submarine, Randy became a Lead Instructor at Naval Submarine School, where he trained Navy and civilian personnel in the employment of submarine digital weapons systems.  He was ranked a "Top  Instructor" by the Command, designated a Master Training Specialist, and was often cited the  "Best Instructor" by his students.

Many of Randy's adventures are classified, but I was able to learn that his sub was out to-sea 70% of the time, has been under the Artic ice, and took part in a mission deemed one of the most exciting (or nerve wracking) of it's kind in a decade and vital to National Security. The Cold War was on so you will just have to use your imagination! 

Serious Stuff here!

A Tomahawk cruise missile is launched from the nuclear-powered attack submarine La Jolla (SSN-701) on the Pacific Missile Test Center (PMTC) range, 29 Apr 1983.

or take that!

(The Trident Strategic Ballistic Missile.)

There are two major classes of United States Naval Submarines.

 

The primary mission of the "Fast Attack" submarine (which Randy served aboard) is to go into danger and kill enemy submarines and surface ships.  The Mark 48 Torpedo with a range of 20 miles is the weapon of choice for these purposes.  The "Fast Attack" can also be used for surveillance, delivering Special Operations troops to enemy shores, and launching tactical weapons against land targets using TLAM's (Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles) that can be both conventional or nuclear armed.  "Fast Attack" submarines have been used to launch cruise missiles against Iraq. 

 

The other major class of submarine is the Strategic Ballistic Missile Submarine, also known as "Boomers".  Boomers shy away from battle.  Their mission is to remain hidden and await word from Command to launch its nuclear Trident Strategic Ballistic Missiles.  These are the big boys and today's boomers carry 24 such missiles.  Each missile in turn carries multiple independent warheads, giving each Boomer the ability to destroy dozens of cities or even entire nations.  Boomers are one of the three legs of our nuclear deterrent with Bombers and Land Based missiles comprising the other two legs.

Show off!

 

Randy's undersea voyages lasted from as short as 2 days to as long as 6 1/2 months.  His longest totally submerged time was 3 1/2 months during which his sub never surfaced!  I don't know about the rest of you but I'm climbing the wall and need to get out and about after only 3 1/2 hours!

This is what submariners call shore leave?

Anyone know where we are?

3 1/2 months under water can have a strange effect on people.  Here is a Student Driver and Instructor - what do you suppose they are watching? Must be good!

 

After leaving the Navy Randy went on to earn his M.B.A from the University of Michigan Graduate School of Business and then entered private employment.  Fast forwarding past a couple of interesting jobs (including Department of Defense contract work and consumer brand marketing),  Randy has most recently worked for Dolphin Capital Management, Inc. (a hedge fund company out of Tampa, FL),  as their COO.  Since relocating to Arizona (to be near his 84 year old father) Randy has given up being COO of Dolphin and is now a consultant to them.   He is currently looking for a new local career opportunity to deploy his talents. 

 

Did you know that old submariners never die?

They party at the Soiree!

Let's Soiree!

(Department of the Navy - Classified photo) 

 

 

 

 

So why do you suppose submariners do what they do?

This is why!

 

 

Randy has defended the United States against all enemies both foreign and domestic and has earned the respect of all of us!

It is with great pleasure that Randal S. Gustafson, will be my Special Guest!  

Please plan on joining us to socialize and meet new friends.