GROTON, Conn. - Senior Chief Petty Officer Gregory Osborn, a native of East Windsor, Connecticut, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to USS Virginia, homeported at Naval Submarine Base New London.
As a submariner, Osborn is part of a small percentage of Navy personnel who serve under the sea to help ensure Americans’ safety.
Osborn graduated from East Windsor Senior High School in 2007. Additionally, Osborn graduated from Excelsior College in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in nuclear engineering technologies and from Drexler University in 2021 with a master’s degree in engineering management.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in East Windsor.
“I learned to never take no for an answer and to always strive to achieve whatever you set your goals for,” Osborn said. “These traits have helped me succeed both professionally and personally.”
Osborn joined the Navy 18 years ago. Today, Osborn serves as a machinist’s mate (nuclear) aboard USS Virginia, a Virginia-class fast-attack submarine.
“Both of my grandfathers served in the military and I wanted to follow in their footsteps,” Osborn said. “One, Albert Gagg, served in the Army during the Korean War and the other, Ronald Osborn, served in the Marines. At the time, I had no direction in life. I grew up in the middle of nowhere and needed somewhere to go, so I decided to join the Navy.”
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. A major component of that maritime security is homeported at Naval Submarine Base New London, Connecticut, known as the “Submarine Capital of the World.”
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.
The Navy’s ballistic-missile submarines, often referred to as “boomers,” serve as a strategic deterrent by providing an undetectable platform for submarine-launched ballistic missiles. They are designed specifically for stealth, extended patrols and the precise delivery of missiles. The Columbia-class ballistic-missile submarines will be the largest, most capable and most advanced submarine produced by the U.S., replacing the current Ohio-class ballistic-missile submarines to ensure continuous sea-based strategic deterrence into the 2080s.
Guided-missile submarines provide the Navy with unprecedented strike and special operation mission capabilities from a stealthy, clandestine platform. Each guided-missile submarine is capable of carrying 154 Tomahawk cruise missiles, plus a complement of heavyweight torpedoes to be fired through four torpedo tubes.
Strategic deterrence is the nation’s ultimate insurance program, according to Navy officials. As a member of the submarine force, Osborn 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.
Osborn has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishment is when I arrived here to serve aboard USS Virginia and took over as the engineering department master chief,” Osborn said. “It was a struggling department at first, and I took it to the highest average on our engineering inspection. I’m also proud of the way I’ve developed from a sailor into more of a leader. I’m not judged by my personal accomplishments; I am judged by the accomplishments of my sailors. Their success is my accomplishment.”
Osborn serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“What we do here is dangerous, and people lose sight of the fact that we show up with a blank paycheck,” Osborn said. “What we do is equal to the amount of our own lives. I’m also serving, so my kids don’t have to. I’m affording them the opportunities that I never had.”
Osborn is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my late father, Scott, for always being my biggest supporter and fan and for never missing a ceremony or a promotion,” Osborn added. “I would also like to thank my wife, Nicole, for being a mom, dad, and everything else and allowing me to live my dream. Lastly, I want to thank my kids, Braden and Briana, for understanding as much as possible what it means when Dad needs to go to work. I’m looking forward to finishing strong and starting the next chapter in my life.”
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class James Green, Navy Office of Community Outreach |
As a submariner, Osborn is part of a small percentage of Navy personnel who serve under the sea to help ensure Americans’ safety.
Osborn graduated from East Windsor Senior High School in 2007. Additionally, Osborn graduated from Excelsior College in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in nuclear engineering technologies and from Drexler University in 2021 with a master’s degree in engineering management.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in East Windsor.
“I learned to never take no for an answer and to always strive to achieve whatever you set your goals for,” Osborn said. “These traits have helped me succeed both professionally and personally.”
Osborn joined the Navy 18 years ago. Today, Osborn serves as a machinist’s mate (nuclear) aboard USS Virginia, a Virginia-class fast-attack submarine.
“Both of my grandfathers served in the military and I wanted to follow in their footsteps,” Osborn said. “One, Albert Gagg, served in the Army during the Korean War and the other, Ronald Osborn, served in the Marines. At the time, I had no direction in life. I grew up in the middle of nowhere and needed somewhere to go, so I decided to join the Navy.”
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. A major component of that maritime security is homeported at Naval Submarine Base New London, Connecticut, known as the “Submarine Capital of the World.”
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.
The Navy’s ballistic-missile submarines, often referred to as “boomers,” serve as a strategic deterrent by providing an undetectable platform for submarine-launched ballistic missiles. They are designed specifically for stealth, extended patrols and the precise delivery of missiles. The Columbia-class ballistic-missile submarines will be the largest, most capable and most advanced submarine produced by the U.S., replacing the current Ohio-class ballistic-missile submarines to ensure continuous sea-based strategic deterrence into the 2080s.
Guided-missile submarines provide the Navy with unprecedented strike and special operation mission capabilities from a stealthy, clandestine platform. Each guided-missile submarine is capable of carrying 154 Tomahawk cruise missiles, plus a complement of heavyweight torpedoes to be fired through four torpedo tubes.
Strategic deterrence is the nation’s ultimate insurance program, according to Navy officials. As a member of the submarine force, Osborn 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.
Osborn has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishment is when I arrived here to serve aboard USS Virginia and took over as the engineering department master chief,” Osborn said. “It was a struggling department at first, and I took it to the highest average on our engineering inspection. I’m also proud of the way I’ve developed from a sailor into more of a leader. I’m not judged by my personal accomplishments; I am judged by the accomplishments of my sailors. Their success is my accomplishment.”
Osborn serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“What we do here is dangerous, and people lose sight of the fact that we show up with a blank paycheck,” Osborn said. “What we do is equal to the amount of our own lives. I’m also serving, so my kids don’t have to. I’m affording them the opportunities that I never had.”
Osborn is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my late father, Scott, for always being my biggest supporter and fan and for never missing a ceremony or a promotion,” Osborn added. “I would also like to thank my wife, Nicole, for being a mom, dad, and everything else and allowing me to live my dream. Lastly, I want to thank my kids, Braden and Briana, for understanding as much as possible what it means when Dad needs to go to work. I’m looking forward to finishing strong and starting the next chapter in my life.”