GROTON, Conn. - From the deserts of Arabia to the hills of Connecticut, Electronics Technician (Submarine Communications) 2nd Class Gregory O’Neill has, as a U.S. Navy Submariner, quite literally been around the world and back.
O’Neill was born and raised in the high deserts of the “Great American Southwest” as it is called, and enlisted in the Navy to kick start his adult life and have some adventures.
“I’m from Las Vegas, Nevada. It’s much warmer out there,” said O’Neill, referring to the drastic differences in climate between his home and the Atlantic climate of Groton, Conn. “I joined the Navy because I wanted to do something with my life. I wanted to pursue something involving computers so I took the ET rating.”
Upon completion of his submarine and rate training, O’Neill was first sent to USS Albuquerque (SSN 706), a tried-and-true Los Angeles-class submarine nearing the end of its service in the Silent Service. During his time on that boat, O’Neill visited many a foreign port and exotic location.
“My first command was USS Albuquerque,” said O’Neill. “It’s decommissioned now but it was phenomenal to be on! I did two deployments on there and saw the world. We went to Japan, Thailand and Australia. Perth, Australia, was phenomenal. We got to hang out with kangaroos, and there’s a photo of me with them but I don’t like to show it off because I have a really bad moustache in it!”
O’Neill would ultimately see the conclusion of Albuquerque’s commission and find himself completing something of a circle in his career, returning to the base where his submarine career began; assigned to the Base Consolidated Telecommunications (BCT) shop where he and his shipmates maintain crucial communications between boats at sea and shore-based commands. O’Neill spoke well of his friends and coworkers and said he enjoys his current command.
“The winters are harsher than I’m used to, but I love working in the vault,” said O’Neill. “That’s probably the best shore duty I could possibly get. I made a lot of great friends and I we’re a tight gang in the vault. I want to give a shout-out to my shop supervisor, ETR1 Wakely!”
During his free time, O’Neill enjoys visiting the sights and venues New England has to offer. Using his computer skills, he even put together a reference of fun things to do which he shares with his friends and new check-ins at the BCT.
“When I first got here I wasn’t sure what there was to do, so I started asking around and we actually put together a whole database of good stuff to do around here,” said O’Neill. “We even programmed a little randomizer so you click the button and it gives you a random place to go and everything. It’s perfect if you don’t know what you want to do on a weekend.”
A hockey fan, O’Neill said he loves visiting Boston and watching his favorite teams go head-to-head on the ice.
“Boston is awesome,” said O’Neill, laughing with recollection. “But Las Vegas Golden Knights, that’s my hockey team. I went to my first hockey team a couple weeks ago in Boston against the Bruins and I wore a big sequenced coat that said Golden Knights on it, not my smartest move going to a Boston home game wearing the rival team’s stuff. There was a lot of trash talk that day!”
When asked about the future of his Navy service, O’Neill said he is not sure yet, but is he has enjoyed both his duty stations so far and is open to more adventures down the line.
“I’m not sure if I want to stay in or finish up and get out,” said O’Neill. “My LPO says that what matters in your career, is as long as the good days outnumber the bad you’re having a good time. So far, I have had a lot more good days than bad and known a lot of great people out there.”
O’Neill’s story is one of a desert boy who sought the depths of the sea. It’s the story of a man who served at the tip of America’s spear, protecting his nation and keeping the oceans free. It’s the story of a man who has been around the world and back and loves going to hockey games with his friends. It’s the story of a Sailor, a warrior, a programmer, a hockey fan, an American.
“I’m from Las Vegas, Nevada. It’s much warmer out there,” said O’Neill, referring to the drastic differences in climate between his home and the Atlantic climate of Groton, Conn. “I joined the Navy because I wanted to do something with my life. I wanted to pursue something involving computers so I took the ET rating.”
Upon completion of his submarine and rate training, O’Neill was first sent to USS Albuquerque (SSN 706), a tried-and-true Los Angeles-class submarine nearing the end of its service in the Silent Service. During his time on that boat, O’Neill visited many a foreign port and exotic location.
“My first command was USS Albuquerque,” said O’Neill. “It’s decommissioned now but it was phenomenal to be on! I did two deployments on there and saw the world. We went to Japan, Thailand and Australia. Perth, Australia, was phenomenal. We got to hang out with kangaroos, and there’s a photo of me with them but I don’t like to show it off because I have a really bad moustache in it!”
O’Neill would ultimately see the conclusion of Albuquerque’s commission and find himself completing something of a circle in his career, returning to the base where his submarine career began; assigned to the Base Consolidated Telecommunications (BCT) shop where he and his shipmates maintain crucial communications between boats at sea and shore-based commands. O’Neill spoke well of his friends and coworkers and said he enjoys his current command.
“The winters are harsher than I’m used to, but I love working in the vault,” said O’Neill. “That’s probably the best shore duty I could possibly get. I made a lot of great friends and I we’re a tight gang in the vault. I want to give a shout-out to my shop supervisor, ETR1 Wakely!”
During his free time, O’Neill enjoys visiting the sights and venues New England has to offer. Using his computer skills, he even put together a reference of fun things to do which he shares with his friends and new check-ins at the BCT.
“When I first got here I wasn’t sure what there was to do, so I started asking around and we actually put together a whole database of good stuff to do around here,” said O’Neill. “We even programmed a little randomizer so you click the button and it gives you a random place to go and everything. It’s perfect if you don’t know what you want to do on a weekend.”
A hockey fan, O’Neill said he loves visiting Boston and watching his favorite teams go head-to-head on the ice.
“Boston is awesome,” said O’Neill, laughing with recollection. “But Las Vegas Golden Knights, that’s my hockey team. I went to my first hockey team a couple weeks ago in Boston against the Bruins and I wore a big sequenced coat that said Golden Knights on it, not my smartest move going to a Boston home game wearing the rival team’s stuff. There was a lot of trash talk that day!”
When asked about the future of his Navy service, O’Neill said he is not sure yet, but is he has enjoyed both his duty stations so far and is open to more adventures down the line.
“I’m not sure if I want to stay in or finish up and get out,” said O’Neill. “My LPO says that what matters in your career, is as long as the good days outnumber the bad you’re having a good time. So far, I have had a lot more good days than bad and known a lot of great people out there.”
O’Neill’s story is one of a desert boy who sought the depths of the sea. It’s the story of a man who served at the tip of America’s spear, protecting his nation and keeping the oceans free. It’s the story of a man who has been around the world and back and loves going to hockey games with his friends. It’s the story of a Sailor, a warrior, a programmer, a hockey fan, an American.