SEA LEVEL

SEA LEVEL

By Andy Weddington

Monday, 08 December 2025

Of all the branches of men in the forces there is none which shows more devotion and faces grimmer perils than the submariners.  - Winston Churchill

A few weeks ago I was in Paradise Valley, Arizona. 

Cozy quarters sandwiched between mountains - one called camelback; for as name implies. 

Each morning sitting just outside the room, while drinking the darkest roast coffee available, I painted simple watercolors. 

But painting was not the reason for going west. 

A friend retiring from the Navy the priority.

Site of the ceremony - an impressive memorial, in neighboring Scottsdale, to the USS Arizona (attacked by Japan 07 December 1941). Our dead solemnly honored.

The retirement ceremony was good. Though peculiar, more so considering the site, that instead of all the wonderful patriotic and military type march music (e.g., Sousa) for pre-ceremony atmosphere hip-hop blared. 

Friday morning past, I tuned in online to watch a friend, a Navy submarine officer (Admiral), take command of Strategic Command (headquartered at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska). 

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs presided. Amongst much flattery for the retiring outgoing commander, and the new, he mentioned the new Commander spent some 6 years of his career under water. 

I thought about that in context of being sandwiched between mountains for three days - which felt somewhat like being submerged. 

A few years ago I boarded the USS Tennessee (Ohio class ballistic missile sub) for a tour. Mind-boggling. 

Interesting. No thanks. 

I'll stick to valleys.

Last night I finished reading 'Running Deep' by Tom Clavin. 

Published this year, Clavin tells the story of U. S. submarine operations during World War II with focus on the most lethal boat - USS Tang. 

And that boat's bold, brave commander, Richard "Dick" O'Kane. 

There's more. 

Including history, not before read, about a famous U. S. Marine who fought in the Pacific and for his remarkable aerial achievements - killing Zeros - was awarded the Medal of Honor.

But since picking up the book a week or so ago the submarine's role in war (and deterring war) is what's occupied thoughts - of then and in context to today.

Like Ernie Pyle's classic 'Brave Men' Clavin cites men by name. And from where they hail. That is, he makes it personal. 

Startling was their youth - most boat skippers not yet 30. The other officers early (new Academy grads) to mid-20s.  The crew, with exception of senior enlisted, kids (but not). Men. All of them. 

They hunted. They were hunted. 

When war broke out the U. S. was not strong. That changed. Quickly.

As Victor Davis Hanson points out in his book, 'The Second World Wars' the U. S. prevailed, on both fronts, in large part due to outproducing the enemy - platforms, weapons, gear, etc. We fielded more and better. 

Submarines an example. And those subs sank a lot of enemy tonnage - military and not. Simple math. Interrupt the enemy's means for waging war and eventually game over. 

Several friends have forwarded the latest National Security Strategy. 

Took time this morning to read - about 30 pages. 

The strategy differs significantly from schemes when I was in uniform and beyond. 

All of it flows from and supports 'Peace through strength' - half a Hemingway six-words short story.  

President Ronald Reagan's idea: We win, they lose. 

That is, peace through strength with one more word. 

Two sentences. Seven words. Clarity.

President Trump is on board. 

Our Department of War flexing muscle to realize peace.

To point, enemy boats running drugs. There's no where to hide. And not enough speed to outrun missiles. 

Doomed.

Still digesting Clavin's great book (absolutely recommend) and integrating into takeaways from others read in recent years about World War II. 

There is one undeniable takeaway: Nature

Strength (speed, stamina) prevails.

Male.  

Man cannot change that. 

Women cannot change that. 

Ever.

Tinker with and sink.