GROTON, Conn. - Petty Officer 1st Class Clayton Wolfe, a native of Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to USS Iowa, the Navy’s newest fast-attack submarine.
 |
| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class James Green, Navy Office of Community Outreach |
As a submariner, Wolfe is part of a small percentage of Navy personnel who serve under the sea to help ensure Americans’ safety.
Wolfe graduated from Waynesboro Area Senior High School in 2017.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Waynesboro.
“My hometown is very rural,” Wolfe said. “It showed me the importance of broadening my perspectives and branching out of my environment. It shows you the value in all the different backgrounds that people have in the Navy. Serving on an integrated boat allows us to see the value in the different perspectives that women can offer than what we’ve had previously.”
Wolfe joined the Navy more than four years ago. Today, Wolfe serves as a machinist’s mate (nuclear).
“My father and grandfather served in the Air Force and Army, respectively,” Wolfe said. “I joined the Navy for a new career path and set myself up for a career in the nuclear workforce.”
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, Wolfe 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.
Wolfe has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I’m most proud of getting meritoriously promoted to petty officer first class,” Wolfe said. “It allowed me to do it faster than my dad. It was a friendly competition. He made it to E-7 in the Air Force quickly, but I made it to E-6 faster than he did.”
Wolfe serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“We haven’t gotten to sea or do any cool operations yet, but for me, serving is getting people home safe and sound,” Wolfe said. “I take pride in running the engineering department, training and ensuring all the guys know how to operate the plant to ensure we get back home safely.”
Wolfe is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my fiancée, Lauren,” Wolfe added. “She’s always been incredibly supportive and flexible with short notice, especially with planning our wedding. She’s managed it all on her own. I also want to thank Senior Chief Electronics Technician (Nuclear) Jeffrey Shear and Chief Machinist’s Mate (Nuclear) Jacob Huffman for their overall professional development and support of my career. Chief Huffman, specifically, has been a mentor for my personal development.”