GROTON, Conn. - Petty Officer 2nd Class Isaac Bordelon, a native of Groton, Connecticut, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to USS Virginia, homeported at Naval Submarine Base New London.
As a submariner, Bordelon is part of a small percentage of Navy personnel who serve under the sea to help ensure Americans’ safety.
Bordelon graduated from Robert E. Fitch High School in 2021.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Groton.
“My father instilled in me a good work ethic, and my mother showed me the unwillingness to back down from a fight,” Bordelon said. “I’ve applied these traits to my everyday life, and they are helping me to succeed both professionally and personally.”
Bordelon joined the Navy three years ago. Today, Bordelon serves as a fire control technician aboard USS Virginia, a Virginia-class fast-attack submarine.
“My grandfather and father both served in the submarine community,” Bordelon said. “My grandfather served as machinist’s mate (auxiliary) first class, and my father served as sonar technician (submarines) first class. I wanted to follow in their footsteps and carry on the 'family business.' My brother, Aiden, is currently at the Maine Maritime Academy in the Navy ROTC program, and he wants to be an officer in the submarine community.”
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, Bordelon 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.
Bordelon has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishment is qualifying senior in rate as Fire Control Technician of the Watch (FTOW) in only 10 months,” Bordelon said. “It takes other sailors a lot longer across the fleet to qualify as FTOW. This qualification helped me become recognized amongst my leaders and my peers.”
Bordelon serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“Serving in the Navy is a way of life,” Bordelon said. “That is all I know. I have family members from both sides of my family who have served our country, dating back to World War 1. I felt a calling to carry on the family name. A goal of mine is to make the rank of master chief petty officer or become a chief warrant officer.”
Bordelon is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my dad, Fire Control Technician 1st Class Brian Olson, my uncle, who is currently serving in Norfolk, Tyler Dias, who previously served as a fire control technician first class, Chief Fire Control Technician Michael Gonzalez, serving aboard USS Iowa, Fire Control Technician 1st Class Zachary Ray, Chief Fire Control Technician Justin Reichard, Fire Control Technician 2nd Class Naseem Packer, stationed at Submarine School in Groton, and Fire Control Technician Shane Kern, currently stationed in Guam, for all their guidance and support,” Bordelon added.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class James Green, Navy Office of Community Outreach |
As a submariner, Bordelon is part of a small percentage of Navy personnel who serve under the sea to help ensure Americans’ safety.
Bordelon graduated from Robert E. Fitch High School in 2021.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Groton.
“My father instilled in me a good work ethic, and my mother showed me the unwillingness to back down from a fight,” Bordelon said. “I’ve applied these traits to my everyday life, and they are helping me to succeed both professionally and personally.”
Bordelon joined the Navy three years ago. Today, Bordelon serves as a fire control technician aboard USS Virginia, a Virginia-class fast-attack submarine.
“My grandfather and father both served in the submarine community,” Bordelon said. “My grandfather served as machinist’s mate (auxiliary) first class, and my father served as sonar technician (submarines) first class. I wanted to follow in their footsteps and carry on the 'family business.' My brother, Aiden, is currently at the Maine Maritime Academy in the Navy ROTC program, and he wants to be an officer in the submarine community.”
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, Bordelon 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.
Bordelon has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishment is qualifying senior in rate as Fire Control Technician of the Watch (FTOW) in only 10 months,” Bordelon said. “It takes other sailors a lot longer across the fleet to qualify as FTOW. This qualification helped me become recognized amongst my leaders and my peers.”
Bordelon serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“Serving in the Navy is a way of life,” Bordelon said. “That is all I know. I have family members from both sides of my family who have served our country, dating back to World War 1. I felt a calling to carry on the family name. A goal of mine is to make the rank of master chief petty officer or become a chief warrant officer.”
Bordelon is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my dad, Fire Control Technician 1st Class Brian Olson, my uncle, who is currently serving in Norfolk, Tyler Dias, who previously served as a fire control technician first class, Chief Fire Control Technician Michael Gonzalez, serving aboard USS Iowa, Fire Control Technician 1st Class Zachary Ray, Chief Fire Control Technician Justin Reichard, Fire Control Technician 2nd Class Naseem Packer, stationed at Submarine School in Groton, and Fire Control Technician Shane Kern, currently stationed in Guam, for all their guidance and support,” Bordelon added.