To find the coordinates of the geocache, you will need to obtain
information provided on the informational descriptions of the Class
of Submarine series.
To gain access to the geocache, you will need to find
information on the lids of geocaches in this series and use that
information to unlock the container. Only geocachers who are able
to gain access to the container and sign the log should log this
cache as found.
Submarine Qualification
Upon reporting to his first submarine the unqualified submarine
sailor, or "nub", short for "Non Useful Body" (a derogatory term),
completes a few days of indoctrination and is then assigned a
Qualification Card, a qualification due date, and a Sea Dad
(officially known as a "command sponsor"). The Sea Dad monitors the
non-qual's progress during the qualification process and his
adaptation to life aboard the boat.
No one is exempted from the qualification process and no
concessions are made to rank or rate.
Although submarine qualification methodology has changed
throughout the decades the basic goal has remained: 1) to provide
the submarine sailor with a basic knowledge of all systems on
board, their uses, operations, and interrelationships with other
systems and 2) to ensure all personnel can operate effectively
under pressure in shipboard situations. Submarine damage control
techniques are stressed throughout the qualification process.
Progress is tracked by the Chief of the Boat. Each item on the
qual card is worth a specified number of points; unqualified
sailors must obtain a predetermined number of points per week.
Failure to achieve the required number results in placement on a
"delinquent list" (also causing the sailor to be referred to as
"dink") and the assignment of additional study, monitored by the
Sea Dad. Each system signature is weighted and each phase has a
maximum number of points.
The qualifications process aboard the boat uses publications,
training videos, computer programs and hands-on training with
qualified personnel, but the principal focus is on the actual
operation of the damage control, atmosphere control, weapons,
countermeasures, reactor, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic,
electrical, and electronic systems on that particular submarine.
Once the qualifying sailor feels he has the requisite knowledge for
the system he will ask a designated Qualification Petty Officer
(QPO — an expert on the system in question) for a "checkout".
The QPO will ask prepared questions concerning the system. He can
also ask the sailor to draw a line diagram and explain the system
in various states and configurations. If the QPO feels the sailor
has met his expectations, he will sign the sailor's qual card and
those points will be included in the sailor's weekly point count.
If the QPO isn't satisfied with the sailor's knowledge level, he
will require him to study further and return for another checkout.
Often this process is used as a means of harassment and
revenge.
The qualification structure can be broken down into phases. The
example listed below is only a basic guide and is not the rule for
all submarines. For most phases of qualification, knowledge of
basic rather than elaborate equipment operations is required, with
the exception of damage control equipment and procedures. Among the
most important goals of submarine qualification is providing each
member of the crew - regardless of designated specialty - with the
training to combat casualties anywhere on the submarine. In case of
fire, flooding, or other casualty, each submarine sailor must be
confident that he can trust the man next to him to know the
purpose, location, and proper use of each item of damage control
equipment, as well as the location and operation of isolations for
each electrical/air/hydraulic system.
Indoctrination/Damage Control Phase
This phase emphasizes the construction and support systems for
the specific submarine to which the sailor is assigned.
Internal Communication Circuits
Sound Powered Phone Circuits
Emergency Alarms
Damage Control equipment location and proper utilization is
stressed.
Propulsion Phase
Ship's Propulsion Plant
Electrical Plant Systems
Primary and Auxiliary Propulsion Equipment
Auxiliary Systems Phase
Ship's Main, Service and Plane Control Hydraulics Systems
Potable water systems
Ship's Air Systems, Including High Pressure, Ship's Service and
Salvage Air Systems.
Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
Atmospheric Monitoring Systems
Depth Sensing Systems
Sea Water and Ballasting Systems
Chemical Holding and Treatment (sanitation and waste water)
Electronic Equipment and Navigation
Electronic Sensor Monitoring Systems
External Communications Systems
Navigation Systems
Combat Systems
Torpedo and Tactical Missile Fire Control Systems
Ballistic Missile Fire Control Systems (SSBN's only)
Torpedo Tube Systems
Sonar Systems
External Countermeasure Systems and Launchers
Block Reviews and Walkthroughs
Each phase (or "block") of the qualification card has an overall
"block review" where the qualifier ties in all the phase's systems
and is verbally tested for his level of knowledge.
After completion of all blocks, the qualifier must complete
compartment walkthroughs, where a senior, qualified sailor quizzes
the qualifier as they walk through the submarine. If all
walkthroughs are completed successfully, the qualifier's chain of
command recommends that he be examined by a qualification
board.
The "Qual Board"
This is the most dreaded part of the New Qualifier's
qualification process. The board is made up of a
Submarine-qualified Officer, a Chief Petty Officer and a Petty
Officer. Submarine Damage Control is the biggest factor discussed
during the Board.
During the Board, the examinee may be asked to draw and explain
any of the systems he has learned about during the qualification
process. After the Board the examinee is dismissed and evaluated by
the members of the board. If the examinee passes the Board, he is
then recommended for qualification to the Commanding Officer of the
Submarine.
The Commanding Officer reviews the Board's recommendation and
upon his concurrence, the newly-qualified individual is presented
his "Dolphins" by the Skipper and designated as "Qualified in
Submarines". The Dolphins presentation is considered an important
event as it means the newly qualified submariner will be treated as
a full member of the crew, instead of an object of scorn and
ridicule.
Appropriate annotations are made in the new Submariner's service
jacket to reflect his qualification. Submarine Qualified Personnel
are designated "SS" after the rate, such as ET1(SS) or MM2(SS).
Post qualification life
After the sailor is designated "Qualified in Submarines", he is
now looked upon by the rest of the crew as someone that can, and
will, save their lives. He is treated with a greater amount of
respect, given more responsibility, and the real learning begins.
He is required to continually qualify in areas other than his
primary duty. This is to ensure in-depth cross-training is
accomplished. This process continues throughout a submarine
sailor's tour. In addition to the basic submarine qualification
process and his requirement to qualify in his most senior in-rate
watch station, a submarine sailor usually will become qualified at
numerous in port and at sea watch stations not directly related to
his own specific rate.
When a submarine sailor ordered to serve a tour ashore returns
to sea duty (or whenever ordered from boat to another submarine of
a class on which he has not already sailed and earned his
qualifications), he is again required to "re-qualify" on the new
submarine, but will never again be a NUB [Non-Useful-Body or
Non-qualified Useless Body]. This qualification is normally
completed by a walkthrough check with a senior qualified member of
his Chain of Command or a Submarine-qualified Officer.
Your Qualification Process
To find the coordinates of the cache, you need to study
submarines. You will need to find the numerical answers to the
following:
Boomer: At one time, this was the number of Sea Wolf submarines
intended to be build over a ten-year period which was later reduced
to 12.
Cruise Missile: The number of enlisted crewmembers on an Ohio Class
Submarine?
Deployment: What type of steel was used to construct the
Skipjack?
Dive Planes: What is the test depth in meters of a Virginia Class
Submarine?
Home Port: What is the draft of an Ethan Allen class submarine
(feet)?
Nuclear Reactor: The version of torpedo carried by a Lafayette
Class Submarine (Mark XX). XX=?
Periscope: How many officers are on an Ohio Class Submarine?
Pressure hull: The Thresher/Permit class submarine had torpedo
launchers moved to the middle of the hull which left room for what
huge type of BQQ sonar system? This also corresponds to the number
of steam turbines which were on the ship.
Radar: The number of Los Angeles Class submarines that were
built.
Rudder: What is the test depth, in feet, of a George Washington
Class Submarine?
Sonar: What is the hull number of the George Washington class
submarine, the USS Abraham Lincoln?
Test Depth: After the cold war, construction of Seawolf boats was
stopped at what number?
Torpedo: What is the length of a Sturgeon class submarine (feet)?
Submariners need to be very analytical. They need to be able to
process information and use it to come to conclusions. To prove
that you are ready to be qualified in this submarine series, you
will need to perform the following calculations. The result of
these calculations will provide you with six numbers. Your task is
to arrange the numbers in such a way as to provide the coordinates
to the cache.
Boomer + Periscope
Pressure Hull + Nuclear Reactor
Deployment – Home Port
Cruise Missile – Radar – Test Depth
Sonar - Torpedo
Rudder + Dive Planes
You can check your answers for this puzzle on
Geochecker.com.
Once you have found the cache, you will need to gain access to
the treasure by deciphering the clues that are found inside the
cover of the cache series.
Some submarines have two crews which are designated Blue and
Gold. While one crew is deployed, the other is in training. When
the submarine returns to port, she undergoes a short maintenance
period and the crews switch places. In this manner, the submarine
can spend more time out to sea.. To gain access to the Blue Crew,
you will need to use the four letter password as found in the cache
covers.
During the cold war, the most significant enemy of US Submarines
was the Russian fleet. They were referred to as “Ivan”
and were associated with the color red. To access the cache you
will need to decipher information relating to Ivan’s nemesis,
the mighty boats of the US Fleet! OC1GuyWI was a sailor on board
the namesake of one of the submarine classes. You will find the
motto of this fine submarine in the caches of the series. How does
this boat relate to the rest of the fleet? Use the first four
letters of the descriptor along with information found at the cache
to access Ivan.
Congratulations to those of you who are able to complete this
task.