Photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Darryl Wood
NORFOLK, Va. – A 1998 Hibriten High School graduate and Lenoir, North Carolina, native is serving in the U.S. Navy aboard one of the Navy’s fast attack submarines, USS Newport News.
A Navy sonar technician (submarine), is responsible for operating the submarine sonar, oceanographic equipment, and submarine auxiliary sonar.
“The submarine relies on my abilities to be its eyes and ears, and I ensure we can get from one point to another safely,” said Pope.
Pope credits his success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in Lenoir.
“I believe the challenge to go further and try harder to improve myself and to contribute to a team effort, is why I gravitated to the submarine service,” said Pope. “Everyone on the boat has a key role in the success of the mission and the standard is one hundred percent all the time. Not a lot of people thrive with that goal, but those in the submarine service do.”
Newport News is a nuclear- powered fast attack submarine class designed to hunt down and destroy enemy submarines and surface ships; strike targets ashore with cruise missiles; carry and deliver Navy SEALs; carry out intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions; and engage in mine warfare. Their primary tactical advantage is stealth, operating undetected under the sea for long periods of time.
With a crew of 130, this submarine is 361 feet long and displaces approximately 7,800 tons. Newport News’ nuclear-powered propulsion system helps push the submarine through the water at more than 25 mph and to depths greater than 800 feet.
A key element of the Navy’s mission is tied to the fact that America is a maritime nation, according to Navy officials, and that the nation’s prosperity is tied to the ability to operate freely on the world’s oceans. More than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface is covered by water; 80 percent of the world’s population lives close to a coast; and 90 percent of all global trade by volume travels by sea.
“Our submarines continue to provide access with influence,” said Vice Adm. Chas Richard, Commander, Submarine Forces. “Our elite force is charged by our Nation with exploiting unique undersea advantages to provide the United States influence, especially far forward where other forces cannot complete the mission, and where persistent undersea concealment provides unique access,” said Vice Adm. Chas Richard, Commander, Submarine Forces. “We use that access and undersea concealment to provide unique intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance in support of national interests, and, if necessary, we are ready to use our undersea advantage to conduct strike warfare ashore, conduct theater and unit-level anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, and perform other missions such as employing special forces.”
Pope represents the third generation to serve in the military but the first to serve aboard submarines.
“My grandfather served in the Army and my uncle served in the Navy,” said Pope.
Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community, and career, Pope is most proud of being a submariner.
“Being promoted to chief petty officer in the submarine community would have to be my proudest moment,” said Pope. “As a chief, I’m entrusted with leading and mentoring the sailors around me as an expert in my profession, but I’m also charged with guiding and molding my young submariners into battle ready warriors. This additional responsibility I gladly accept, because I have been given the opportunity to shape the future of the submarine force through those I mentor and train.”
Submariners are some of the most highly-trained and skilled sailors in the Navy. The training programs are highly technical to ensure each crew has to be able to operate, maintain, and repair every system or piece of equipment on board.
Regardless of their specialty, every submariner also has to learn how every system on the submarine works and how to respond in emergencies. To become qualified in submarines is challenging, however it earns the sailor the right to wear the coveted “dolphins” and a life-long respect among colleagues and veterans.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Pope and his fellow submariners know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes, one that will provide a critical component of the Navy the nation needs.
Pope credits his success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in Lenoir.
“I believe the challenge to go further and try harder to improve myself and to contribute to a team effort, is why I gravitated to the submarine service,” said Pope. “Everyone on the boat has a key role in the success of the mission and the standard is one hundred percent all the time. Not a lot of people thrive with that goal, but those in the submarine service do.”
Newport News is a nuclear- powered fast attack submarine class designed to hunt down and destroy enemy submarines and surface ships; strike targets ashore with cruise missiles; carry and deliver Navy SEALs; carry out intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions; and engage in mine warfare. Their primary tactical advantage is stealth, operating undetected under the sea for long periods of time.
With a crew of 130, this submarine is 361 feet long and displaces approximately 7,800 tons. Newport News’ nuclear-powered propulsion system helps push the submarine through the water at more than 25 mph and to depths greater than 800 feet.
A key element of the Navy’s mission is tied to the fact that America is a maritime nation, according to Navy officials, and that the nation’s prosperity is tied to the ability to operate freely on the world’s oceans. More than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface is covered by water; 80 percent of the world’s population lives close to a coast; and 90 percent of all global trade by volume travels by sea.
“Our submarines continue to provide access with influence,” said Vice Adm. Chas Richard, Commander, Submarine Forces. “Our elite force is charged by our Nation with exploiting unique undersea advantages to provide the United States influence, especially far forward where other forces cannot complete the mission, and where persistent undersea concealment provides unique access,” said Vice Adm. Chas Richard, Commander, Submarine Forces. “We use that access and undersea concealment to provide unique intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance in support of national interests, and, if necessary, we are ready to use our undersea advantage to conduct strike warfare ashore, conduct theater and unit-level anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, and perform other missions such as employing special forces.”
Pope represents the third generation to serve in the military but the first to serve aboard submarines.
“My grandfather served in the Army and my uncle served in the Navy,” said Pope.
Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community, and career, Pope is most proud of being a submariner.
“Being promoted to chief petty officer in the submarine community would have to be my proudest moment,” said Pope. “As a chief, I’m entrusted with leading and mentoring the sailors around me as an expert in my profession, but I’m also charged with guiding and molding my young submariners into battle ready warriors. This additional responsibility I gladly accept, because I have been given the opportunity to shape the future of the submarine force through those I mentor and train.”
Submariners are some of the most highly-trained and skilled sailors in the Navy. The training programs are highly technical to ensure each crew has to be able to operate, maintain, and repair every system or piece of equipment on board.
Regardless of their specialty, every submariner also has to learn how every system on the submarine works and how to respond in emergencies. To become qualified in submarines is challenging, however it earns the sailor the right to wear the coveted “dolphins” and a life-long respect among colleagues and veterans.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Pope and his fellow submariners know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes, one that will provide a critical component of the Navy the nation needs.
“I joined the Navy for the adventure,” said Pope. “I wanted to travel and gain life experience but I also wanted to make a difference in the world. The submarine service has provided me with those opportunities.”
With only 130 elite sailors assigned, submarine crews build strong fellowship, are highly motivated and quickly adapt to changing conditions. A career as in submarines is a life of specialized work, unique missions, and some of the most advanced training in the Navy.
Pope’s father and mother, Roy and Debra Pope, both reside in Lenoir, North Carolina.
With only 130 elite sailors assigned, submarine crews build strong fellowship, are highly motivated and quickly adapt to changing conditions. A career as in submarines is a life of specialized work, unique missions, and some of the most advanced training in the Navy.
Pope’s father and mother, Roy and Debra Pope, both reside in Lenoir, North Carolina.