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Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology alumnus Paul S. Snodgrass is now in command of his first ship in the U.S. Navy fleet, leading the fast-attack submarine USS Boise from the Naval Station Norfolk's Pier 3 in Virginia.
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Getting First Command: Paul Snodgrass, a 1989 Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology mathematics alumnus, is now commanding the USS Boise fast-attack submarine in the U.S. Navy. |
"I am very excited," said the 1989 mathematics graduate from Seymour, Ind. "This is what (submarine officers) train for a lifetime, and this is an opportunity to fulfill a lifelong dream."
Snodgrass took over command during a special ceremony on Feb. 1 after being a COMSUBFOR executive assistant from July of 2005 until March of 2007 and serving as executive officer of the USS Maine in Kings Bay, Ga., from 2002 to 2004. He is ready to take over and continue the high level of professionalism and service the USS Boise had under Commander Rodney Mills' direction.
"Rod has done an outstanding job, and turned over an outstanding crew," said Snodgrass. "I think my initial transition will be very easy do to the hard work he performed."
The USS Boise is 360 feet long, has a breadth of 33 feet, weighs 6,900 tons, can travel greater than 25 knots and can go to depths greater than 800 feet. The submarine has a crew of 129 officers and enlisted persons.
The USS Boise's recent deployment was a voyage of more than 40,000 miles under the Arctic ice to the Pacific Ocean and back to Norfolk through the Mediterranean Sea. Throughout the cruise, the submarine completed national security missions along with war on terror and maritime security operations missions while serving in the 5th, 6th and 7th Fleet areas of operation.
The USS Boise was recognized as the Battle Efficiency Award winner for Submarine Squadron 8 for demonstrating the highest level of battle readiness in the squadron during the previous year.
After graduating from Rose-Hulman, Snodgrass completed officer candidate school in Newport, RI, followed by nuclear propulsion training and the submarine officer basic course. He attended the Naval War College from July of 2004 until June of 2005, and received a master's degree in national security affairs and strategic studies. He is authorized to wear the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal and Navy Achievement Medal.
Snodgrass' military service includes being executive officer of the USS Maine Blue for three successful strategic deterrent patrols (August, 2002 to July, 2004); serving one year as commander and first material officer of Submarine Squadron 15 (February, 2001 to April, 2002); commander of Submarine Group 7 Representative Guam (January, 2000); being an engineer officer of the USS Newport News ( April, 1997 to December, 1999), being deployed to the Mediterranean Sea and Arabian Gulf as part of the Eisenhower Battle Group; being shift engineer at the Moored Training Ship in Charleston, S.C., (August, 1994 to September, 1996); and completed a 38-month tour as junior officer on the USS Batfish, starting in June of 1991.
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