Photo by Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist Gary Ward
NORFOLK, Va. – A 1996 Maury High School graduate and Norfolk, Virginia, native is serving with Commander, Submarine Force Atlantic (COMSUBLANT) in Norfolk, Virginia.
Chief Petty Officer Darryl Wood is a mass communication specialist.
As a Navy mass communication specialist, Wood is responsible for collecting and publishing stories about the Navy’s submarine force, coordinating with local and national media outlets for access to the submarines and Sailors, and providing the community the opportunities to learn about submariners and the Navy mission.
“It’s rewarding to be a part of the unique environments in the submarine community,” Wood said. “I’ve had the opportunity to go underway aboard a sub capturing and documenting the life of submariners.”
“It’s rewarding to be a part of the unique environments in the submarine community,” Wood said. “I’ve had the opportunity to go underway aboard a sub capturing and documenting the life of submariners.”
Wood credits his success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in Norfolk.
“Growing up with so many changes in my life, I learned to be flexible,” Wood said. “It became natural to be able to adapt and move forward. As an MC, I’ve travelled the world and been to places I never dreamed of when I was little.”
The Atlantic Fleet Submarine Force numbers 40 submarines and more than 15,000 highly trained and motivated officers, enlisted, and civilian personnel providing submarine support to the Atlantic, Arctic, Eastern Pacific, and Indian Oceans and the Mediterranean Sea. The principal responsibility of the Commander Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet (COMSUBLANT) is to operate, maintain, train, and equip submarines in support of Fleet and National tasking. The COMSUBLANT Vision, Mission, and Guiding Principles guide the officers and men of the submarine force.
The Atlantic Fleet Submarine Force operates and maintains combat ready nuclear-powered strategic deterrent and attack submarines. Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarines carry the highly accurate Trident II D-5 Missile and operate undetected in international waters, ensuring the nation's strategic security. Attack submarines perform a myriad of missions, including anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, insertion of special forces, Tomahawk strike missions, mining, and search and rescue.
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. 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.”
“The submarine community is extremely tight-knit,” Wood said. “Everyone is willing to help out when necessary. There is a camaraderie that you don’t see in other communities.”
Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community, and career, Wood is most proud of watching his junior sailors be promoted.
“Having my leading petty officers become successful sailors and promote and achieve rank, gives me a sense of pride and accomplishment,” Wood said. “I know that I’m doing my part in continuing the future of the Navy.”
Submariners are some of the most highly trained and skilled people in the Navy. The training is 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 the qualification earns the sailor the right to wear the coveted dolphins and earn respect among colleagues and veterans.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Wood knows he is part of legacy that will last beyond his lifetime, one that will provide a critical component of the Navy the nation needs.
“Serving in the Navy means opportunity,” Wood added. “The educational benefit was my reason to join, but after my first tour I've had the ability to see the bigger picture and all that the Navy has to offer. The training, experiences and opportunity to see and interact with different cultures are my reward for serving.”
“Growing up with so many changes in my life, I learned to be flexible,” Wood said. “It became natural to be able to adapt and move forward. As an MC, I’ve travelled the world and been to places I never dreamed of when I was little.”
The Atlantic Fleet Submarine Force numbers 40 submarines and more than 15,000 highly trained and motivated officers, enlisted, and civilian personnel providing submarine support to the Atlantic, Arctic, Eastern Pacific, and Indian Oceans and the Mediterranean Sea. The principal responsibility of the Commander Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet (COMSUBLANT) is to operate, maintain, train, and equip submarines in support of Fleet and National tasking. The COMSUBLANT Vision, Mission, and Guiding Principles guide the officers and men of the submarine force.
The Atlantic Fleet Submarine Force operates and maintains combat ready nuclear-powered strategic deterrent and attack submarines. Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarines carry the highly accurate Trident II D-5 Missile and operate undetected in international waters, ensuring the nation's strategic security. Attack submarines perform a myriad of missions, including anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, insertion of special forces, Tomahawk strike missions, mining, and search and rescue.
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. 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.”
“The submarine community is extremely tight-knit,” Wood said. “Everyone is willing to help out when necessary. There is a camaraderie that you don’t see in other communities.”
Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community, and career, Wood is most proud of watching his junior sailors be promoted.
“Having my leading petty officers become successful sailors and promote and achieve rank, gives me a sense of pride and accomplishment,” Wood said. “I know that I’m doing my part in continuing the future of the Navy.”
Submariners are some of the most highly trained and skilled people in the Navy. The training is 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 the qualification earns the sailor the right to wear the coveted dolphins and earn respect among colleagues and veterans.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Wood knows he is part of legacy that will last beyond his lifetime, one that will provide a critical component of the Navy the nation needs.
“Serving in the Navy means opportunity,” Wood added. “The educational benefit was my reason to join, but after my first tour I've had the ability to see the bigger picture and all that the Navy has to offer. The training, experiences and opportunity to see and interact with different cultures are my reward for serving.”