GROTON, Conn. - Petty Officer 2nd Class Samuel Bell, a native of Hebron, Connecticut, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to USS Virginia, homeported at Naval Submarine Base New London.
As a submariner, Bell is part of a small percentage of Navy personnel who serve under the sea to help ensure Americans’ safety.
Bell graduated from Rham High School in 2019.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Hebron.
“I grew up watching my parents still be parents to my siblings, even when they were in the military,” Bell said. “Even as adults, my parents continued to offer advice, support and guidance to them. Now, as a father, I can see why my parents treated them this way. This is how I am going to treat my kids as well.”
Bell joined the Navy four years ago. Today, Bell serves as a torpedoman’s mate aboard USS Virginia, a Virginia-class fast-attack submarine.
“I moved down to Las Vegas during COVID-19, and I thought there would be jobs available to me, as I had just graduated from welding school, but there weren’t,” Bell said. “I have family members who are or have previously served in the military, so I decided to join the Navy instead and gain my own experiences. I have two brothers-in-law who are currently serving in the Navy and two sisters and a brother who previously served in the Air Force.”
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, Bell 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.
Bell has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishments are getting my ‘fish,’ or submarine warfare device, and being selected as the boat welder from my experience graduating from welding school before joining the Navy,” Bell said.
Bell serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“I’m very proud knowing that my children will look up to me and may want to serve their country just like their father did,” Bell said. “The Navy offers a second family in life.”
Bell is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my wife, Dominique, and my parents, William and Susan Bell, for all their love and support,” Bell added.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class James Green, Navy Office of Community Outreach |
As a submariner, Bell is part of a small percentage of Navy personnel who serve under the sea to help ensure Americans’ safety.
Bell graduated from Rham High School in 2019.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Hebron.
“I grew up watching my parents still be parents to my siblings, even when they were in the military,” Bell said. “Even as adults, my parents continued to offer advice, support and guidance to them. Now, as a father, I can see why my parents treated them this way. This is how I am going to treat my kids as well.”
Bell joined the Navy four years ago. Today, Bell serves as a torpedoman’s mate aboard USS Virginia, a Virginia-class fast-attack submarine.
“I moved down to Las Vegas during COVID-19, and I thought there would be jobs available to me, as I had just graduated from welding school, but there weren’t,” Bell said. “I have family members who are or have previously served in the military, so I decided to join the Navy instead and gain my own experiences. I have two brothers-in-law who are currently serving in the Navy and two sisters and a brother who previously served in the Air Force.”
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, Bell 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.
Bell has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishments are getting my ‘fish,’ or submarine warfare device, and being selected as the boat welder from my experience graduating from welding school before joining the Navy,” Bell said.
Bell serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“I’m very proud knowing that my children will look up to me and may want to serve their country just like their father did,” Bell said. “The Navy offers a second family in life.”
Bell is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my wife, Dominique, and my parents, William and Susan Bell, for all their love and support,” Bell added.