SAN DIEGO – Lt. j.g. Leo Kahan, a native of Shutesbury, Massachusetts, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to USS Scranton, a fast-attack submarine homeported at Naval Base Point Loma.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Caleb Kissner, Fleet Public Affairs Center San Diego |
As a submariner, Kahan is part of a small percentage of Navy personnel continuing a 125-year tradition of service under the sea to help ensure Americans’ safety.
Kahan graduated from Amherst High School in 2018. Additionally, Kahan earned bachelor’s degrees in mathematics and Chinese from the College of the Holy Cross in 2022.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Shutesbury.
“One of the lessons I carry with me is taking the time to get out and enjoy nature, and finding the moment of calm when you can,” Kahan said. “In the Navy, we have busy jobs, so if you aren’t looking for a way to maintain your mental health, it could definitely get you down.”
Kahan joined the Navy four years ago. Today, Kahan serves as the assistant weapons officer.
“I joined the Navy looking for a way to do some service for my community, my country and for those around me to pay them back for the help I received,” Kahan said. “I wanted to travel the world. The Navy also has a lot of technical jobs on ships, which scratched my more engineering-minded interests.”
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 support of U.S. national security.
There are three basic types of submarines: fast-attack submarines, ballistic-missile submarines and guided-missile submarines.
Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarines, like Scranton, have been the backbone of the submarine force for the last 40 years, with approximately 23 in service. 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.
Equipped with 12 Vertical Launch System tubes for firing Tomahawk cruise missiles, Scranton is only slightly longer than a football field at 360 feet long and 33 feet across at its widest point. Scranton is crewed by more than 140 enlisted sailors and officers.
Strategic deterrence is the nation’s ultimate insurance program, according to Navy officials. As a member of the submarine force, Kahan serves aboard a platform capable of bringing the fight to enemies in defense of America and its allies.
Kahan has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“Getting my ‘Dolphins’ (Submarine Warfare Pin) and being a submariner is not something a lot of people can say they’ve done,” Kahan said. “Everyone I tell about it is always so interested because a lot of people don’t know any submariners. The idea of being constantly underwater in a small, confined space is scary and interesting at the same time. It drives people to have that interest. The more they learn, the more interested they are.”
This year, the Navy is commemorating its contribution to the nation’s defense as the United States celebrates 250 years of independence. According to Navy officials, for more than 250 years, the Navy has sailed the globe defending freedom and protecting prosperity.
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.
“Serving in the Navy means doing the service I wanted to do and paying back the community,” Kahan said. “It means getting the chance to go out to new places to meet new people. I’m able to broaden my horizons with this experience, which is something only a small fraction of people can say they’ve done. I can go on for the rest of my life being able to look back at this unique experience that I’m proud that I took the time to experience.”
Kahan is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my family and my wife for just being there and supporting my decisions,” Kahan said.