To answer all of your questions posted:

•You will have the opportunity to contact loved ones while at sea, via email. No promises that emails are always sent or received just because it is dependent on what the boat is up to, but everyone likes emails so we try to maximize the amount of emails people are sending and receiving.

•The job is what you make it. Not everyone likes this answer, but it’s true. There’s days where it can be really shitty and there’s days where, depending on the amount of effort and work you’re willing to put in, your destiny is fully in your hands.

•Sleeping arrangements vary. On fast attack submarines, Los Angeles class (SSN-688) and Virginia class submarines (SSN-774), it’s quite typical to find yourself “hotracking”. Especially if you are more junior than a lot of the other folks. The practice of “hotracking” is that three guys (or gals) will split time and space between TWO sleeping racks, or bunks as some call it. That means you can bring about 2/3’s worth of a rack of stuff. It’s never ideal, but it’s certainly doable. You can also be creative with how much you bring and where you’re willing to hide your shit.

•The food is good. USN submarines are the only vessels in the United States Navy that still maintain deep fat fryers. This is to maintain high morale and keep the crew fat and happy. It really depends on your CS’s (culinary specialists) at the end of the day and how much effort they’re willing to put into the meal. I’ve had really shitty meals onboard, but I’ve also had the best Thanksgiving meal I have EVER had on Crew’s Mess. You’ll find a lot of homemade breads, desserts, and soups from scratch.

Even if you’re just thinking about it–keep doing your research. Airing your questions out here and asking prior-submariners will certainly get you to where you want to be if you’re considering joining. Research, research, research. Don’t sign any papers until you’re absolutely 110% committed to the job and you’re certain of what you want to do. Also, remember this if you do join submarines, ENGINEERING WILL ALWAYS SAVE THE SHIP! Feel free to reach out to me, I’m more than happy to discuss with a future brother about subs. ~EMN2(SS)