USA: Pre-Commissioning Unit North Dakota Visits NROTC

The commanding officer of Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) North Dakota (SSN 784) and the chief of the boat (COB) visited Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) units at the University of Pennsylvania and Villanova University to educate Midshipmen about the Submarine Force, March 13-14 in Philadelphia.

“Visiting the Midshipmen attending Villanova and the University of Pennsylvania is a great opportunity to provide them myriad information about submarine lifestyle, missions and what to expect when serving aboard,” said Cmdr. Doug Gordon, PCU North Dakota’s commanding officer.

Accompanying Gordon on the two-day visit to Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps units is Chief Electronics Technician (SS/DV) Timothy A. Preabt, North Dakota’s COB.

Lt. Tom Williams, submarine warfare officer currently attached to the University of Pennsylvania NROTC unit discussed the advantages of bringing in senior leadership from a Virginia-class submarine currently under construction.

“We are so appreciative that Cmdr. Gordon and Chief of the Boat Preabt can support our training and recruiting mission for the Submarine Force,” said Williams. “We are always trying to promote submarine careers, and a Fleet perspective really helps us do that.”

Gordon and Preabt will meet with the Midshipmen who are interested in serving in the Submarine Force.

“The visiting senior boat leadership will place an emphasis on operations while providing their unique set of personal experiences over the course of their respective careers,” said Williams.

PCU North Dakota, the second ship named in honor of North Dakota, is being constructed at General Dynamics Electric Boat in Groton, Conn. and Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Newport News Shipbuilding division in Newport News, Va., and will be the 11th Virginia-Class submarine when it is completed in 2014.

The other ship to bear the name North Dakota was the Delaware-class USS North Dakota (BB 29), which was in service from 1910 to 1923. The contract to build PCU North Dakota was awarded to Electric Boat division of General Dynamics Dec. 22, 2008 as part of a teaming arrangement with Newport News Shipbuilding.

Virginia-class submarines are designed to dominate the world’s littoral and deep waters while conducting anti-submarine; anti-surface ship; strike; irregular; and mine warfare missions; as well as support special operation forces; and covert intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.

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Naval Today Staff , March 14, 2012;