GROTON, Conn. - Petty Officer 1st Class Christian Zahler, a sailor whose father, Edward Zahler, resides in Clay Center, Kansas, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Submarine Readiness Squadron (SRS) 32 at Naval Submarine Base New London.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class James Green, Navy Office of Community Outreach |
Zahler’s family instilled the skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy.
“I learned from my dad to always show up on time and do a good job,” Zahler said. “The Navy likes performance, and they want to make sure that you bring home a good performance to the Navy and the nation. Don’t give up just because you find yourself in a tough situation; always be resilient. I grew up in church and have a lot of faith. One Bible verse that I always abide by is Colossians 3:23, ‘Do not work for the glory of man but for the glory of God.’ You will always take what product they want and be worthy of what they want.”
Zahler joined the Navy 11 and a half years ago. Today, Zahler serves as a religious program specialist.
“Both of my grandfathers served in the Navy,” Zahler said. “Patrick Zahler, on my dad’s side, served as an aviation ordnanceman in the Navy during World War II. My other grandfather, Joseph Marker, served as a quartermaster in the Korean War. I joined the Navy as a type of family connection and to broaden my horizons, and to travel and see the world."
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, 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.
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.
Zahler has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishment is the time I spent with the Marine Corps,” Zahler said. “I’ve been stationed with the Marines seven out of 12 years during my time in the Navy. Marines are very proud, and they are very guarded of their culture and traditions. To be invited in and to work with them is an accomplishment and a dream that went beyond what I dreamt in the Navy.”
Zahler serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“I’m serving in the Navy because this is where God has placed me,” Zahler said. “He has put me in the lives of people that I have made a positive impact on.”
Zahler is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my dad, my wife, Sheena Mariz Zahler, and my three brothers, Carmichael, Carlisle and David, for all their guidance and support,” Zahler added.
Zahler joined the Navy 11 and a half years ago. Today, Zahler serves as a religious program specialist.
“Both of my grandfathers served in the Navy,” Zahler said. “Patrick Zahler, on my dad’s side, served as an aviation ordnanceman in the Navy during World War II. My other grandfather, Joseph Marker, served as a quartermaster in the Korean War. I joined the Navy as a type of family connection and to broaden my horizons, and to travel and see the world."
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, 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.
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.
Zahler has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishment is the time I spent with the Marine Corps,” Zahler said. “I’ve been stationed with the Marines seven out of 12 years during my time in the Navy. Marines are very proud, and they are very guarded of their culture and traditions. To be invited in and to work with them is an accomplishment and a dream that went beyond what I dreamt in the Navy.”
Zahler serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“I’m serving in the Navy because this is where God has placed me,” Zahler said. “He has put me in the lives of people that I have made a positive impact on.”
Zahler is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my dad, my wife, Sheena Mariz Zahler, and my three brothers, Carmichael, Carlisle and David, for all their guidance and support,” Zahler added.