New colonel
One day after my shift, I called a Navy recruiter. I had seen an advertisement for the Navy and I decided that is what I wanted to do with my life.”
Ciuk took and passed a battery of aptitude, electronic and nuclear tests.
Because of the demanding environment aboard submarines, personnel are accepted only after rigorous testing, according to Navy officials.
“Submariners are some of the most highly trained and skilled people in the Navy,” said Gardner. “Regardless of their specialty, everyone has to learn how everything on the ship works and how to respond in emergencies to become qualified in submarines and earn the right to wear the coveted Gold or Silver Dolphins on their uniform.”
Ciuk is qualified to serve aboard ballistic-missile submarines, often referred to as “boomers,” which serve as a strategic deterrent by providing an undetectable platform for submarine-launched ballistic missiles, according to Jablon. They are designed specifically for stealth, extended patrols and the precise delivery of missiles if directed by the president. The Ohio-class design allows the submarines to operate for long deployments.
Guided-missile submarines provide the Navy with unprecedented strike and special operation mission capabilities from a stealthy, clandestine platform, adds Jablon. Armed with tactical missiles and equipped with superior communications capabilities, the subs are capable of directly supporting combatant commanders’ strike and Special Operations Forces requirements.
The Navy’s four guided-missile submarines each displace 18,750 tons submerged. Each sub is capable of carrying 154 Tomahawk cruise missiles, plus a complement of heavyweight torpedoes to be fired through four torpedo tubes.
Elizabeth Hanson of Delmar has been promoted to Air Force colonel during a ceremony at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.
Air Force Lt. Gen. G.L. Tuck promoted her during the ceremony. Her sons, Michael and