GROTON, Conn. - Petty Officer 3rd Class Cole Chetham, a native of Roanoke, Texas, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Submarine Readiness Squadron (SRS) 32 at Naval Submarine Base New London.
 |
| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class James Green, Navy Office of Community Outreach |
As a submariner, Chetham is part of a small percentage of Navy personnel who serve under the sea to help ensure Americans’ safety.
Chetham graduated from Byron Nelson High School in Trophy Club, Texas, in 2019.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Roanoke.
“My hometown taught me how to be humble and do what needs to be done,” Chetham said.
Chetham joined the Navy over two and a half years ago. Today, Chetham serves as an information systems technician (communications).
“I joined the Navy because I have an extensive family military background starting back with my great-grandfather, who was a fighter pilot in World War 2,” Chetham said. “They had an influence on me joining the military and following in my family’s footsteps.”
SRS 32 centralizes administrative and support functions, economizes resources and provides a common pool of experts who provide complete functional support to operational submarines homeported at Naval Submarine Base New London, pre-commissioning unit crews at Electric Boat shipbuilding facility and maintenance period units at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine.
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, 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, Chetham 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.
Chetham has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishment was finishing radio school,” Chetham said. “I went through some personal hardships at the time, but I proved to myself and everyone else who questioned me at the time if I could finish it, and I proved them wrong.”
Chetham 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 has let me go on to better life opportunities than I would have otherwise,” Chetham said.
Chetham is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my wife, Haylee, who continues to provide great support from the time we started dating to after we got married,” Chetham added. “She has supported me through the good and bad times.”
Chetham is looking ahead to their future after the Navy.
“As I am currently transitioning out of the Navy, my work and commitment have led to numerous recommendations for jobs and opportunities due to my naval service,” Chetham said. “I am very proud of that. Always have a goal, whether you want to join or you are already in, or just want a life to be proud of. Always have something to keep you motivated and focused, no matter what happens.”
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, Chetham 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.
Chetham has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishment was finishing radio school,” Chetham said. “I went through some personal hardships at the time, but I proved to myself and everyone else who questioned me at the time if I could finish it, and I proved them wrong.”
Chetham 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 has let me go on to better life opportunities than I would have otherwise,” Chetham said.
Chetham is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my wife, Haylee, who continues to provide great support from the time we started dating to after we got married,” Chetham added. “She has supported me through the good and bad times.”
Chetham is looking ahead to their future after the Navy.
“As I am currently transitioning out of the Navy, my work and commitment have led to numerous recommendations for jobs and opportunities due to my naval service,” Chetham said. “I am very proud of that. Always have a goal, whether you want to join or you are already in, or just want a life to be proud of. Always have something to keep you motivated and focused, no matter what happens.”