What It’s Like to Be Every Rank in U.S. Navy Submarine Warfare

Life inside a U.S. Navy submarine is unlike any other military environment. A steel hull moving silently through the ocean becomes home to more than a hundred sailors who operate some of the most complex machines ever built. Every person onboard has a role, and every rank carries a different level of responsibility. In this video we break down what it’s like to serve at every rank in U.S. Navy submarine warfare, from the newest sailor stepping onto the boat for the first time to the admiral responsible for multiple submarines across entire regions. It starts with junior sailors arriving on their first submarine and being labeled NUBs : non-useful bodies, until they earn their submarine qualification dolphins. These sailors study systems that run through the boat like metal veins while learning to operate in tight compartments, rotating watch schedules, and a world without sunlight. From there, petty officers become the technical backbone of the submarine, running sonar stations, navigation equipment, engineering systems, and weapons control that keep the boat operational beneath thousands of feet of ocean. Chief Petty Officers enforce the standards that prevent small mistakes from becoming dangerous problems. Officers guide the mission and manage divisions responsible for critical systems. Department heads oversee entire sections of the submarine, ensuring that engineering, navigation, communications, and weapons systems remain ready even during long patrols far from any outside support. As rank increases, the perspective changes. Executive Officers maintain discipline and operational readiness across the entire crew. Commanding Officers carry ultimate responsibility for the submarine, the mission, and the lives of everyone onboard. Above them, group commanders and admirals coordinate how multiple submarines deploy across vast ocean regions, balancing intelligence requirements, patrol coverage, maintenance schedules, and fleet priorities. Submarine warfare is often called The Silent Service because these missions happen far from public view. Beneath the ocean’s surface, submarines patrol quietly, gathering intelligence, maintaining deterrence, and supporting naval operations around the world. Every patrol depends on discipline, training, and teamwork inside that steel hull. This video walks through the roles, responsibilities, and daily realities of every rank involved in U.S. Navy submarine operations, showing how each level contributes to the success of the mission. If you're interested in military careers, naval operations, submarine technology, or the structure of submarine crews, this breakdown explains how the entire system works from the lowest enlisted rank to fleet-level leadership.