THE SILENT SERVICE: HONORING AMERICA'S SUBMARINERS AND SAILORS
Understanding what goes on thousands of miles from home is complex enough, but submarines do this all while combating threats on, above, and under the water. The nature of their business is often mysterious to maintain the element of surprise. This is why during World War II and beyond, Submariners and Sailors have been thought to be undertaking a role in the “Silent Service,” seeing as the U.S. Navy is notoriously secretive about combat when the mission comes first. Suggested read: Chance Brannon: Marine Vet Pleads Guilty Planned Parenthood Attack
What Is Silent Service?
The U.S. Navy's submarine force is widely known as the "Silent Service," due to it operating under restricted news coverage during wartime. This means sharing limited details about their activities. However, this aligns with the overall information policy of the U.S. Navy. It’s important to communicate with the public about what is going on from a militaristic perspective. With that being said, there are several instances in which national security is at risk if the revealing of too much information occurs. The Navy Silent Service strives to keep the public informed within national security limits. You can even find artwork presented by the Naval History and Heritage Command inspired by this notion. Created by Submariners themselves, Navy Silent Service artwork provides a unique and authentic portrayal of the undersea life Sailors take on. These artists live and serve alongside Submariners. Therefore, they offer a vivid perspective that words alone cannot convey. An ironic and yet fitting way to portray such service. Remember, the use of words isn’t always a part of the plan for subs on a mission. Nevertheless, despite restricting communication, the U.S. Navy Silent Service has long served as the inspiration for many different forms of media.
Sid Meier’s Submarine Simulator
Inspired by the very service that would inspire the name, legendary video game developer Sid Meier created Silent Service, a submarine simulator. The game was first released in 1985 for 8-bit computers and later for 16-bit systems. Eventually, the game became popular on the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). The game is set in the Pacific Ocean during World War II, with players controlling a U.S. Gato-class submarine on war patrols looking to stop Japanese shipping boats. Silent Service II would follow in 1990, with MicroProse publishing the sequel devoid of Meier's involvement. In the original, the design from Meier resulted in a strategic, immersive experience for players. Today, you can relive these experiences as both titles are available on Stream. Related read: Everything You Never Knew About the History of the Military Submarine
Army-Navy Game to Feature Midshipmen Honoring the Silent Service
As the college football season comes to a close, there is still a lot on the line but for the military community, it’s all about “America’s Game” on December 9, 2023. The Army-Navy game will take place at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts this weekend. The Army-Navy game is never just about “x’s” and “o’s” on the gridiron and the 124th rendition is no different. Known for the tributes through uniforms created by Under Armour, the Midshipmen are looking to pay tribute to the Silent Service this year for the Army-Navy game. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2odW8Cza2uo Featuring Eclipse Navy, Under Armour’s darkest version of the color, the tribute is an absolute force. By all accounts, those who currently serve in the highest ranks of our nation’s subs are fully sounding off on the tribute, as one might expect. There are fonts to look like hull classifications but achieving a stealthy look was key. Some elements are simply mandatory by rule but the overall design does a great job of giving a submarine feel without being too flashy. After all, subs are anything but. You’ll find pants with vertical numbers just like a sub’s hull, sleeves featuring the Naval Academy Athletics anchor locked up, and more. Even the helmets are hand-painted. They feature an underwater Virginia-class sub as well as a Navy anchor. Additional elements, including hidden, changing features, are available…if you can find them. We’d tell you where and how, but in the spirit of the Silent Service, it seems fitting to keep it classified until the big game. Read next: USS Carney Forced to Defend Against Drones From Houthi Rebels