GROTON, Conn. - Petty Officer 3rd Class Isaiah Parson, a native of Boiling Springs, South Carolina, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to USS Iowa, the Navy’s newest fast-attack submarine.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class James Green, Navy Office of Community Outreach |
As a submariner, Parson is part of a small percentage of Navy personnel who serve under the sea to help ensure Americans’ safety.
Parson graduated from Boiling Springs High School in 2023.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Boiling Springs.
“Growing up, I learned the importance of being able to talk to people to get a true understanding of who they are, and being able to listen,” Parson said. “Those are basic things everyone should be able to do, but they’re important. When we’re out there, we’re all we’ve got. We’re our own family.”
Parson joined the Navy two years ago. Today, Parson serves as an information systems technician (communications).
Parson was influenced to join the Navy by their high school instructors.
“I did Navy Junior ROTC in high school and was influenced by my instructors, Lt. Cmdr. Ozut and Master Sgt. Epps,” Parson said. “JROTC taught me how to be a leader and how to step up and take charge. I already had the mindset for it. I joined the Navy to see where I could go because I wanted to do something with my life. The Navy provides a lot of things, and gives me something to do while I figure out my future.”
Parson was already familiar with the Navy, thanks to a family legacy of naval service.
“Joining the Navy was the most logical decision for me, because I already had some knowledge of the Navy,” Parson said. “A lot of my family has served in the military. My mom and dad were both operations specialists in the Navy and met at boot camp. My dad served for 10 years, and my mom did five years. My grandma served for 24 years as a culinary specialist in the Navy. My aunt has been in the Navy for 17 years and is currently serving as a chief quartermaster. I have another aunt who is a merchant mariner. The skills they taught me have helped and played a role in my career. Of all of them, I’m the first plankowner in my family.”
Commissioned in April, Iowa is the third Navy vessel and first submarine named for the Hawkeye State. Iowa was built at the General Dynamics Electric Boat shipyard in Groton, a short distance from the submarine’s homeport at Naval Submarine Base New London, Connecticut.
The newest of the Navy’s Virginia-class submarines, Iowa was designed with stealth and surveillance capabilities, as well as special warfare enhancements, to meet the Navy’s multi-mission requirements. At 377 feet long and 34 feet across at its widest point, Iowa is only slightly longer than a football field and is crewed by about 135 enlisted sailors and officers.
Known as America’s “Apex Predators,” the Navy’s submarine force operates a large fleet of technologically advanced vessels. These submarines are capable of conducting rapid defensive and offensive operations around the world, in furtherance of U.S. national security.
There are three basic types of submarines: fast-attack submarines, ballistic-missile submarines and guided-missile submarines.
Fast-attack submarines are designed to hunt down and destroy enemy submarines and surface ships; strike targets ashore with cruise missiles; carry and deliver Navy SEALs; conduct intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions; and engage in mine warfare. The Virginia-class fast-attack submarine is the most advanced submarine in the world today. It combines stealth and payload capability to meet Combatant Commanders’ demands in this era of strategic competition.
Strategic deterrence is the nation’s ultimate insurance program, according to Navy officials. As a member of the submarine force, Parson is part of the rich 125-year history of the U.S. Navy’s most versatile weapons platform, capable of taking the fight to the enemy in the defense of America and its allies.
The U.S. Navy is celebrating its 250th birthday this year.
According to Navy officials, “America is a maritime nation and for 250 years, America’s Warfighting Navy has sailed the globe in defense of freedom.”
With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
Parson has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I’m most proud of getting to commissioning,” Parson said. “It was rough getting through trials and going underway, but we pulled through and now we’re here. Becoming a crew was a big motivator for people on the boat.”
Parson serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“For me, it was a simple transition from JROTC to the real Navy,” Parson said. “I had a couple of hiccups here and there. I adapted pretty fast to the environment.”
Parson is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my grandma, my dad and Master Sgt. Epps for pushing me to where I am now,” Parson added. “When I was younger, I was in a little bit of trouble, and they put me on the right path.”