GROTON, Conn. - Petty Officer 2nd Class Jonathan Goluglu, a native of Knoxville, Tennessee, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to USS Virginia, homeported at Naval Submarine Base New London.
As a submariner, Goluglu is part of a small percentage of Navy personnel who serve under the sea to help ensure Americans’ safety.
Goluglu graduated from Farragut High School in 2020.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Knoxville.
“I brought the virtue of patience with me when I joined the Navy,” Goluglu said. “There are always times when you just have to wait for something to come to you, but you need to learn to always be ready when it does. It's made me more prepared than other people because they struggled with things more than I have. This has made me a better, patient supervisor and leader. This also makes me hold up to a higher standard, which rubs off on other people. Always appreciate what you have.”
Goluglu joined the Navy three years ago. Today, Goluglu serves as a machinist’s mate (nuclear) aboard USS Virginia, a Virginia-class fast-attack submarine.
“I joined the Navy for a change of scenery and for a new challenge in life,” Goluglu said. “My grandfather was a lieutenant colonel in the Army and my aunt served in the Air Force. Their service was a valid option for me to consider when making my life decision. My friends and I took a trip to Gatlinburg, Tennessee, to reflect on life, and while we were there, we all 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, Goluglu 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.
Goluglu has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishment is making it here to serve aboard USS Virginia,” Goluglu said. “For the longest time, I’ve worked with other ‘nukes’ who were smarter than me, but I was willing to put in more work and the hours needed because I wanted it more, and I made it through the pipeline faster than them. Also, making my rank to laboratory technician was something the other mechanics were interested in at the time, but I got picked for it over them. I’m proud of these accomplishments as well. During my time here, my goal is to continue to advance in rank and take the place of my mentors.”
Goluglu serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“I know if I was at any other command, I wouldn't be able to have the camaraderie that I do anywhere else,” Goluglu said. “It’s so much different here. You go underway with roughly 200 people and you see their faces every day. We are all one family here. Everybody is ‘ride or die.’”
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class James Green, Navy Office of Community Outreach |
As a submariner, Goluglu is part of a small percentage of Navy personnel who serve under the sea to help ensure Americans’ safety.
Goluglu graduated from Farragut High School in 2020.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Knoxville.
“I brought the virtue of patience with me when I joined the Navy,” Goluglu said. “There are always times when you just have to wait for something to come to you, but you need to learn to always be ready when it does. It's made me more prepared than other people because they struggled with things more than I have. This has made me a better, patient supervisor and leader. This also makes me hold up to a higher standard, which rubs off on other people. Always appreciate what you have.”
Goluglu joined the Navy three years ago. Today, Goluglu serves as a machinist’s mate (nuclear) aboard USS Virginia, a Virginia-class fast-attack submarine.
“I joined the Navy for a change of scenery and for a new challenge in life,” Goluglu said. “My grandfather was a lieutenant colonel in the Army and my aunt served in the Air Force. Their service was a valid option for me to consider when making my life decision. My friends and I took a trip to Gatlinburg, Tennessee, to reflect on life, and while we were there, we all 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, Goluglu 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.
Goluglu has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishment is making it here to serve aboard USS Virginia,” Goluglu said. “For the longest time, I’ve worked with other ‘nukes’ who were smarter than me, but I was willing to put in more work and the hours needed because I wanted it more, and I made it through the pipeline faster than them. Also, making my rank to laboratory technician was something the other mechanics were interested in at the time, but I got picked for it over them. I’m proud of these accomplishments as well. During my time here, my goal is to continue to advance in rank and take the place of my mentors.”
Goluglu serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“I know if I was at any other command, I wouldn't be able to have the camaraderie that I do anywhere else,” Goluglu said. “It’s so much different here. You go underway with roughly 200 people and you see their faces every day. We are all one family here. Everybody is ‘ride or die.’”
Goluglu is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank everyone back home for their constant support,” Goluglu added.