Interview with Brennan B. Sanders, January 27, 2021

Partial Transcript: Uh, and with that...

Segment Synopsis: Brennan Sanders explains enlisting in the Navy after his high school graduation and following in the path of many of his family members. He discusses doing well on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) exam and beginning his career in the nuclear field.

Keywords: Delayed Entry Program (DEP); Master Chief Petty Officer; NROTC

Partial Transcript: And off you go to...

Segment Synopsis: Sanders shares stories of his bootcamp experience in Great Lakes, Illinois and being assigned to Starboard Watch while there. He remembers the responsibilities this position gave him and being named the Honor Recruit from his division at graduation.

Keywords: Battle Stations; Deck Log; Recruit; Sailor; Watch Bill

Partial Transcript: What happens after that?

Segment Synopsis: Sanders explains the process of going through extensive and highly-rigorous training after bootcamp. He shares his experience going to "A School" (accession training) and starting as an Electrician's Mate, moving onto to Power School, and finally transitioning to the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Training Unit.

Keywords: E3; E4; Education; Fireman; Fleet; Naval Nuclear Power Training Command; Petty Officer 3rd Class; Shift Work; Simulation

Partial Transcript: Um alright, so...

Segment Synopsis: Sanders reminisces on the experiences he was given while stationed on the U.S.S. Illinois and his travels through the Panama Canal to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. He discusses why he chose to work on a submarine rather than an aircraft carrier.

Keywords: Bridge of America; Change of Home Port; Groton, Connecticut; Squadron 1; Training; Virginia Class Submarine

Partial Transcript: It was 2019...

Segment Synopsis: Sanders remembers his 6-month deployment to the Western Pacific, with stops at Yokosuka, Japan and Guam. He explains practicing Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance (ISR) when on the submarine.

Keywords: Maiden Deployment; Western Pacific

Partial Transcript: I know people are...

Segment Synopsis: Sanders discusses what it was like living on the submarine for weeks at a time. He shares some of the tough situations his submarine was put in, such as extended time underwater and food shortages.

Keywords: Captain; Rations; Skipper

Partial Transcript: Uh, he did a lot for me personally...

Segment Synopsis: Sanders describes being awarded Junior Sailor of the Year, being promoted to Petty Officer Second Class (E-5), and earning his Submarine Warfare Qualification pin. He talks about the anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare missions he was on at the time.

Keywords: Ballistic Missile Submarines; Commander; Dolphin Pin; Fast Attack Submarines; Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance (ISR); Skipper; Virginia Class Submarine

Partial Transcript: Okay so, wrap up this deployment...

Segment Synopsis: Sanders describes his final 15 months stationed in Honolulu, Hawaii in which he was able to explore the city more and lived with some of his crewmates off of the boat. He talks about being the LPO (Leading Petty Officer) of his division, becoming a Work Center Supervisor, and finding joy in mentoring and training the newer crewmates.

Keywords: Submarine

Partial Transcript: Um, so, you're kind of faced with a decision...

Segment Synopsis: Sanders explains the tough decision he faced of whether to re-enlist in the Navy or go to college. He describes why he chose to attend UGA and his plans to earn a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, get his MBA, and eventually work at a power company. He thanks the Navy and submarine life for the experiences they provided him, and he shares his aspirations to mentor younger students at UGA.

Subjects: Civilian; GI Bill; Scholarship; School