# A U.S. submarine struck an underwater mountain last month, the Navy says **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 3, 2021, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-u-s-submarine-struck-an-underwater-mountain-last-month-the-navy-says/953743 "2021-11-03T18:52:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2021, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-u-s-submarine-struck-an-underwater-mountain-last-month-the-navy-says/953743/21 "2021-11-04T01:40:09Z")
Online information (various sources) indicate the CO was relieved from command, and ultimately issued a letter of reprimand, but was not demoted. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2021, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-u-s-submarine-struck-an-underwater-mountain-last-month-the-navy-says/953743/22 "2021-11-04T02:03:02Z")
In general, officers in active service cannot be demoted to a lower rank even by general court martial or under Article 15 non-judicial punishment. Officers can be reduced in rank upon retirement at that adjudication of a grade terminational review board based up on whether they are judged to have served dishonorably. The letter of reprimand alone is sufficient that he will never have a command or have any chance of achieving flag rank. Enlisted personnel can be demoted in grade via non-judicial action, sometimes an extreme reduction from senior NCO to private/sailor/airman without recourse although this is rare and only in cases of extreme failure of leadership. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![penultima\_thule](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penultima_thule/32/3833_2.png) [@penultima\_thule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/penultima_thule)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2021, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-u-s-submarine-struck-an-underwater-mountain-last-month-the-navy-says/953743/23 "2021-11-04T02:12:54Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > Yeah, in “The Hunt For Red October” subs could weave around giant obstacles with ease. 😜 Billy Connolley, when [riffing about two nuclear subs which had collided in the North Atlantic](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qvFxFVRcRo), thought he could solve their navigation problem for under a thousand pounds … put in a window. ---
**Author:** ![VOW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vow/32/3043_2.png) [@VOW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VOW)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2021, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-u-s-submarine-struck-an-underwater-mountain-last-month-the-navy-says/953743/24 "2021-11-04T02:18:45Z")
Even the Starship Enterprise has a “window” on the Bridge! ~VOW ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2021, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-u-s-submarine-struck-an-underwater-mountain-last-month-the-navy-says/953743/25 "2021-11-04T02:20:56Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > Online information (various sources) indicate the CO was relieved from command, and ultimately issued a letter of reprimand, but was not demoted. My bad. My civilian brain interpreted loss of command and demotion as the same thing. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2021, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-u-s-submarine-struck-an-underwater-mountain-last-month-the-navy-says/953743/26 "2021-11-04T02:36:53Z")
> [@VOW](#): > > Even the Starship Enterprise has a “window” on the Bridge! > > ~VOW Professor Farnsworth: Dear Lord! That’s over 150 atmospheres of pressure! Fry: How many atmospheres can the ship withstand? Professor Farnsworth: Well, it was built for space travel, so anywhere between zero and one. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2021, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-u-s-submarine-struck-an-underwater-mountain-last-month-the-navy-says/953743/27 "2021-11-04T02:40:00Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > What, like windows? Well, why not? The Russkies have 'em. [![](https://www.strategypage.com/gallery/images/akula-typhoon.jpg) ](https://www.strategypage.com/gallery/images/akula-typhoon.jpg) > **.** > > I kid, I kid. They’re in a non-pressure hull part of the sail to protect the surface watch in Arctic waters. There was a thread on it a while back but I can’t find it. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2021, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-u-s-submarine-struck-an-underwater-mountain-last-month-the-navy-says/953743/28 "2021-11-04T03:07:35Z")
> [@DesertDog](#): > > Well, why not? The Russkies have 'em. Those are in the sail, not in the pressure hull. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2021, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-u-s-submarine-struck-an-underwater-mountain-last-month-the-navy-says/953743/29 "2021-11-04T03:17:51Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > What, like windows? No, silly. You put guys on the sail, with binoculars. And flashlights. ---
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2021, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-u-s-submarine-struck-an-underwater-mountain-last-month-the-navy-says/953743/30 "2021-11-04T13:15:13Z")
Old technology can come to the rescue: curb feelers. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2021, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-u-s-submarine-struck-an-underwater-mountain-last-month-the-navy-says/953743/31 "2021-11-04T13:28:54Z")
> [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > Those are in the sail, not in the pressure hull. As I said in the footnote that I hid to keep the joke alive. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2021, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-u-s-submarine-struck-an-underwater-mountain-last-month-the-navy-says/953743/32 "2021-11-04T16:54:48Z")
> [@DesertDog](#): > > . > > I kid, I kid. They’re in a non-pressure hull part of the sail to protect the surface watch in Arctic waters. There was a thread on it a while back but I can’t find it. How did you do that footnote thing? I want it. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2021, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-u-s-submarine-struck-an-underwater-mountain-last-month-the-navy-says/953743/33 "2021-11-04T17:42:35Z")
Click on the gear on the right and _Hide Details_. I should have used _Blur Spoiler_, I guess but to my mind, it looks ugly. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2021, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-u-s-submarine-struck-an-underwater-mountain-last-month-the-navy-says/953743/34 "2021-11-04T20:16:08Z")
> **Summary** > > Testing testing I like the hide details better. Very cool - thank you! ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2021, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-u-s-submarine-struck-an-underwater-mountain-last-month-the-navy-says/953743/35 "2021-11-05T04:15:05Z")
Well, being relieved of command before completing the command tour is certainly not a prestigious thing to happen. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2021, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-u-s-submarine-struck-an-underwater-mountain-last-month-the-navy-says/953743/36 "2021-11-05T14:40:57Z")
Looks like they sacked the CO, the Exec and the “senior enlisted sailor” on the sub. “Sound judgement, prudent decision-making and adherence to required procedures in navigation planning, watch team execution and risk management could have prevented the incident,” the western Pacific-based 7th Fleet said in a statement. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2021, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-u-s-submarine-struck-an-underwater-mountain-last-month-the-navy-says/953743/37 "2021-11-05T14:45:11Z")
I’m not sure what they mean by “sacked” here. Did they discharge them from the Navy? Seems unlikely. More likely is that they’ll be put in charge of a desk in “supply logistics”. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2021, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-u-s-submarine-struck-an-underwater-mountain-last-month-the-navy-says/953743/38 "2021-11-05T14:46:30Z")
Yeah, I’m trying to find a cite from the original release rather than what is out there from an aggregator site. Every other site just says “relieved of command.” _Vice Adm. Karl Thomas, Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet, relieved Cmdr. Cameron Aljilani as commanding officer, Lt. Cmdr. Patrick Cashin as Executive Officer, and Master Chief Sonar Technician Cory Rodgers as Chief of the Boat, of Seawolf-class fast-attack submarine USS Connecticut (SSN 22), on Nov. 04, 2021, due to loss of confidence._ ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2021, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-u-s-submarine-struck-an-underwater-mountain-last-month-the-navy-says/953743/39 "2021-11-05T14:56:54Z")
Typically someone in this type of situation who is relieved of command or their assignment aboard a ship or submarine is assigned to a shore-based duty station (i.e. a desk job) to finish out their career. If they have enough time in service they’ll be allowed to retire, but will never be promoted again, nor will they ever serve on another vessel. Running a vessel aground or a collision at sea is uniformly career-ending in the U.S. Navy. Submarines are unique in that they can run aground even in deep water. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2021, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-u-s-submarine-struck-an-underwater-mountain-last-month-the-navy-says/953743/40 "2021-11-05T15:48:36Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > they sacked the … “senior enlisted sailor” Like he had anything to do with where the sub was or how fast it was going. That’s just typical Navy behavior. Like when the Thresher went down, the Navy tried to blame the captain of the sub tender. Or the Iowa gun explosion - Blame the dead guy, and if possible blame a gay dead guy. And if he’s not gay, lie. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-u-s-submarine-struck-an-underwater-mountain-last-month-the-navy-says/953743.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-u-s-submarine-struck-an-underwater-mountain-last-month-the-navy-says/953743.md?page=3)