GROTON, Conn. - Chief Petty Officer Sarah LaFave, a native of Tupper Lake, New York, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to USS Iowa, the Navy’s newest fast-attack submarine.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class James Green, Navy Office of Community Outreach |
As a submariner, LaFave is part of a small percentage of Navy personnel who serve under the sea to help ensure Americans’ safety.
LaFave graduated from Tupper Lake Middle/High School in 2003.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Tupper Lake.
“Growing up, I learned to be open-minded to meeting new people and doing things that will challenge you,” LaFave said. “The Navy is full of people from all different walks of life. We have to be able to work together.”
LaFave joined the Navy 15 years ago. Today, LaFave serves as a torpedoman’s mate.
“When I was 22, I lived in Virginia and was working as a pizza delivery driver,” LaFave said. “I would deliver to the base and see the sailors and all the big ships and carriers. I wanted to do that. I joined the Navy when I was 25. I wanted to have a career of my own and to have something to be proud of. I started on surface ships and served on board USS Iwo Jima as an aviation boatswain’s mate (handling) before switching to submarines.”
Commissioned in April, Iowa is the third Navy vessel and first submarine named for the Hawkeye State. Iowa was built at the General Dynamics Electric Boat shipyard in Groton, a short distance from the submarine’s homeport at Naval Submarine Base New London, Connecticut.
The newest of the Navy’s Virginia-class submarines, Iowa was designed with stealth and surveillance capabilities, as well as special warfare enhancements, to meet the Navy’s multi-mission requirements. At 377 feet long and 34 feet across at its widest point, Iowa is only slightly longer than a football field and is crewed by about 135 enlisted sailors and officers.
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.
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.
Strategic deterrence is the nation’s ultimate insurance program, according to Navy officials. As a member of the submarine force, LaFave 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.
LaFave has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest day was when I got the call that I’d made chief,” LaFave said. “By switching from the surface fleet to submarine force, it opened my career to new challenges and a sense of pride to be a part of a rare community. So with that, I pushed harder to improve myself, not just as a sailor, but as a person. I’m proud of this because while in the surface fleet, I never wanted to be a chief or lead a division. Submarines showed me and taught me that we are a family and all rely on each other and take care of each other, and I love being in submarines and doing my job as a torpedoman.”
LaFave 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 gives me a sense of pride that what I’m doing has a purpose and that purpose is bigger than me and not about me,” LaFave said.
LaFave is grateful to their fellow sailors for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank Chief Torpedoman’s Mate Jennifer Casey and Master Chief Torpedoman’s Mate Jerry Struble, who served with me on my first submarine,” LaFave said. “They made it feel like a family, and pushed and challenged me to be better. I also want to thank Master Chief Torpedoman’s Mate Justin Jedwadney, Master Chief Torpedoman’s Mate Jeremiah Marzene, Chief Information Systems Technician (Communications) Jeff Hagan and Master Chief Machinist’s Mate (Submarine Auxiliary) Dean Marvin, who were here at the submarine school when I was an instructor. They saw what I could be and pushed me to be that.”
LaFave is also grateful for encouragement from family.
“I want to thank my wife, Shawna LaFave, and my sister, Nicole Skelly, for being my support,” LaFave added. “They’re my rocks and they’re constantly cheering me on.”