Crew Update

Captain Heath Johnmeyer presents a plaque from the Officers and Crew, PCU District of Columbia to DC's Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice during a Namesake Visit.  (From L-R) ETN2(SS) Joshua Moline (Reactor Control Division), ETN2(SS) Conor McLaughlin (Reactor Control Division), Deputy Mayor Appiah, LCDR Peter Roemer (Engineer Officer), LTjg James O'Hara (Main Propulsion Assistant), CAPT Johnmeyer (Commanding Officer), ETN2(SS) Robert Martinez (Reactor Control Division), CSSCM(SS) Mark Shipley (Chief of the Boat), MMN2(SS) Kevin Kerins (Machinery Division), MMN2(SS) Adrian Pua (Machinery Division), and MMN2(SS) Dominic Grote (Machinery Division).

ETN1(SS) Gray poses with his family following his reenlistment in front of salvaged pieces of NR-1 at the Submarine Force Library and Museum, Groton, CT.  Thank you Petty Officer Gray! NR-1, conceived by ADM Hyman Rickover, was built following the loss of the USS Thresher to expand the Navy’s ocean investigation capabilities.  

Crew members performing Community Service work.

Crew members participate in warm up exercises at the start of their semi-annual Physical Fitness Assessment.

PCU District of Columbia (SSBN-826) Crew members get ready for their 1.5 mile run as part of their semi-annual Physical Fitness Assessment.

PCU District of Columbia Crew members pose for a group photo after their semi-annual command Physical Fitness Assessment.

PCU District of Columbia Sailors spend time ship riding as part of their training and qualification process.  These Sailors are enjoying a much deserved break after deploying with the USS Georgia (SSGN-729).

LCDR Pete Roemer, Engineer, and CAPT Heath Johnmeyer present Petty Officer Butler with his Selective Reenlistment Bonus check. Thank you Petty Officer Butler for your service and sacrifices!

PCU District of Columbia Crew members wave their caps to fans during Washington Nationals “Salute to Service”.

LT Churchill gets an autograph at the Washington Nationals – Detroit Tigers game

14 members of PCU District of Columbia (SSBN-826) proudly represented the U.S. Navy, the USS District of Columbia, and their Namesake – the District of Columbia during the Washington Nationals “Salute to Service” during the July game versus the Detroit Tigers. 

After the Nationals-Tigers game, LT Bowman with LT Churchill and Senior Chief Opitz shows off his autographed baseball

Members of PCU District of Columbia’s Reactor Laboratory Division get ready to enjoy the Annual Submarine Birthday Ball to celebrate the Submarine Force’s founding 125 years ago.

Petty Officers Christopher Ballard and Nathan Powell awarded Good Conduct Medals (First Award).  The Navy Good Conduct Medal (NGCM) was established by the Secretary of the Navy on 26 April 1869 to recognize the "all-around" good Navy enlisted person, well qualified in all phases of conduct and performance.

ETN1(SS) Renwick T. Griffith proudly displays his nuclear Enlisted Supervisor Retention Pay (ESRP) check with Commander Swezey, Executive Officer.  Congratulations Petty Officer Griffith and thank you for your dedicated service to our Navy and our nation!

PCU District of Columbia’s LCDR Chip Brand, Navigator, CDR Matt Swezey, Executive Officer, Captain Heath Johnmeyer, Commanding Officer, Master Chief Mark Shipley, Chief of the Boat, pose with RADM Dave Goggins, USN (Ret.) following an event at the UK embassy.

Members of PCU District of Columbia Crew supported the Hero100 Folds of Honor Golf Marathon which raises funds to provide life-changing scholarships to families of America’s fallen or disabled military and first responders.

ETN1(SS) Rupe reaffirms his Oath of Enlistment during his reenlistment ceremony.

ETN1(SS) Rupe and his family pose at the lighthouse following his reenlistment and after receiving his nuclear Enlisted Supervisor Retention Pay (ESRP) check.  Congratulations Petty Officer Rupe and Family and thank you for your dedicated service to our Navy and our nation!

Chief Benton (L) and Senior Chief Opitz (R) pose with YNS1 Marquez following his frocking to First Class Petty Officer.  In the Navy, frocking, which allows an individual to assume the authority, responsibilities, and privileges of the new paygrade without the associated pay, dates back to at least 1802.

Lieutenant Groshek, the Electrical Assistant, and Captain Heath Johnmeyer, Commanding Officer, present EMN1(SS) James Nirva his Enlisted Supervisor Retention Pay (ESRP) check following his reenlistment.  The U.S. Navy's ESRP program provides a retention incentive for nuclear trained supervisory Sailors with highly specialized skills who are willing to make the Navy a career choice.  The ESRP program became effective 5 November 2004; skills must be defined as a "critical skill" in accordance with 37, U.S. Code section 331.  Congratulations Petty Officer Nirva! 

Chief Smith checks out the Oscar Mayer vehicle, called the Wienermobile.  Did you know there are six Wienermobiles driven across America by college-aged “Hotdoggers,” spreading joy and handing out whistles.  Carl Mayer created the first vehicle in 1936 to boost sales during the Depression. 

Following a tour of the Pentagon, ETN1(SS) Murphy take his turn behind the podium in the press briefing room

LT Bowman steps up to the “mike” in the Pentagon’s press briefing room

MMN2(SS) Boudreau gets ready to “give” a press briefing during a Pentagon tour

Following a tour of the Pentagon, YNSCS(SS) Opitz steps up to the podium in the Pentagon’s press briefing room and is "ready to take questions." 

Lieutenant Junior Grade Daniel R. Beaird and Commanding Officer, Captain Heath Johnmeyer present MMN1(SS) Bryan S. Beekman with his nuclear Enlisted Supervisor Retention Pay (ESRP) check.  The U.S. Navy's ESRP program provides a retention incentive for nuclear trained supervisory Sailors with highly specialized skills who are willing to make the Navy a career choice.  The ESRP program became effective 5 November 2004; skills must be defined as a "critical skill" in accordance with 37, U.S.Code section 331.  Congratulations Petty Officer Beekman! 

CAPT Heath Johnmeyer, Commanding Officer, PCU District of Columbia (SSBN-826) greets youngster at the 2024 Official Army-Navy Block Party at The Yards Park.

Lieutenant Groshek, the Electrical Assistant onboard PCU District of Columbia (SSBN-826), reenlists EMN1(SS) Kwame Boahene for 6 years.   During the reenlistment ceremony, every Sailor reaffirms their Oath of Enlistment.  YNSCS(SS/DV) Eric D. Opitz stands by with Petty Officer Boahene's reenlistment paperwork.

PCU District of Columbia's (SSBN-826) Commanding Officer, Captain Heath Johnmeyer, and Lieutenant Groshek, the Electrical Assistant, present EMN1(SS) Kwame Boahene with a his nuclear Enlisted Supervisor Retention Pay (ESRP) check.  The U.S. Navy's ESRP program provides a retention incentive for nuclear trained supervisory Sailors with highly specialized skills who are willing to make the Navy a career choice.  The ESRP program became effective 5 November 2004; skills must be defined as a "critical skill" in accordance with 37, U.S.Code section 331.  Congratulations Petty Officer Boahene and thank you for your dedicated service to our Navy and our nation!

Captain Heath Johnmeyer, Commanding Officer, PCU District of Columbia (SSBN-826) presents Lieutenant Junior Grade Daniel R. Beaird with the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (Gold Star in lieu of the Third Award) for meritorious service while serving as the USS George Washington (CVN-73) Repair Officer from November 2021 to December 2023. The medal was created 11 January 1944 to recognize heroic or meritorious achievement or service performed in a manner above that normally expected, and sufficient to distinguish the individual above those performing similar services

MMN2(SS) Gracie Machin, Captain Heath Johnmeyer, CCSCM(SS) Mark Shipley, EMN1(SS) James Nirva, and EMN1(SS) John Foy stop by the USS District of Columbia Commissioning Committee’s display during the Naval Submarine League Annual Symposium & Industry Update 13 -14 November.

Captain Heath Johnmeyer presents ITN1(SS) Mikel R. Treece with a Commander, Submarine Group TEN Citation recognizing him as the Sailor of the Quarter for the Fourth Quarter 2024 for his outstanding performance of duty while serving as the Information Warfare Leading Petty Officer onboard PCU District of Columbia (SSBN-826).

Captain Heath Johnmeyer presents PCU District of Columbia (SSBN-826) Sailor of the Year to  EMN1(SS) James Nirva with a Commander, Submarine Group TEN Citation recognizing him as the Sailor of the Quarter for the Third Quarter 2024 for his outstanding performance of duty while serving as Engineering Department Training Assistant.

PCU District of Columbia (SSBN-826) Chief's Quarters after Chief Petty Officer (CPO) Pinning this year. Each year the United States Navy selects the best and brightest First Class Petty Officers for advancement to Chief Petty Officer. The CPO pinning ceremony is public recognition of the most significant career milestone for our Navy’s enlisted ranks.

MMNC Bolin and EMNC Smith grilling on 826 Day (August 26 in honor of PCU District of Columbia’s hull number, SSBN-826).

Rear Admiral Robert E. Wirth, Commander, Submarine Group TEN, presents EMN1(SS) John W. Foy with a Commander, Submarine Group TEN Citation recognizing him as the Sailor of the Quarter for the Second Quarter 2024 for his outstanding performance of duty while serving as the Electrical Division Leading Petty Officer onboard PCU District of Columbia (SSBN-826). Former Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Zumwalt, established the Sailor of the Quarter/Sailor of the Year program in 1972 as a way to recognize "...individuals at each command who symbolize the pride and professionalism inherent in the outstanding performance of many Navy Enlisted Personnel."

Rear Admiral Robert E. Wirth, Commander, Submarine Group TEN, presents MMN2(SS) Gracie J. Machin with a Commander, Submarine Group TEN Citation recognizing her as the PCU District of Columbia (SSBN-826) Junior Sailor of the Quarter for the Second Quarter 2024 as a result of her outstanding performance as the Reactor Laboratories Division Leading Petty Officer.

PCU District of Columbia (SSBN-826) Chiefs and Officers visit the World War II  Memorial in Groton, CT.

EMN2 Bonk, ITNC(SS) Barnes, MMN2 Braun, MMN2 Hoyt stopped by former Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Honea's office during their DC visit. Master Chief Honea served as the Navy's 16th MCPON serves as the senior enlisted advisor to the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), responsible for acting as the primary spokesperson for enlisted Sailors on matters of quality of life, training, and welfare, advising on policy, representing the Navy at events, and advocating for the enlisted force to senior leadership and Congress, promoting Navy values and ensuring effective communication from the deckplate to the Pentagon. 

While attending the 2024 Joint Women's Leadership Symposium, Chief Barnes, along with Petty Officers Hoyt, Braun, and Bonk, stopped by the Pentagon’s Hall of Heroes, a room dedicated to honor Service Members awarded the Medal of Honor for exceptional acts of valor. Opened in 1968, the Hall holds the name of the 3,500+ men and one woman who’ve received the Medal of Honor since the Civil War. The SSBN-826 Sailors are standing in front of replicas of the Army, Navy, and Air Force’s version of the Medal of Honor.

PCU District of Columbia's (SSBN-826) MMN2 Braun, EMN2 Bonk, MMN2 Hoyt, and ITNC(SS) Barnes meet former 33rd Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Lisa Franchetti, during the 2024 Joint Women's Leadership Symposium (JWLS) 25-28 June. JWLS provides an opportunity for service members to meet like-minded people, share practices on leadership, and find mentors.

EMN2 Bonk, MMN2 Braun, MMN2 Hoyt and ITNC Barnes represented SSBN-826 at the 2024 Joint Women's Leadership Symposium 25-28 June.

As part of the Pinning Ceremony, Command Master Chief Gary Stephenson of Submarine Base New London, Groton, CT places a Senior Chief Petty Officer Combination Cover on newly pinned YNSCS (SS) Eric Opitz. Senior Chief Opitz' family and Captain Heath Johnmeyer, Commanding Officer, PCU District of Columbia (SSBN-826) look on. Senior Chief Petty Officers are selected as a result of their technical expertise, superior administrative skills, and most importantly, their superb leadership ability; they make up just 2.5% of the total enlisted force of the Navy.

Captain Heath Johnmeyer, Commanding Officer, PCU District of Columbia (SSBN-826) pinning on Senior Chief to YNSCS (SS) Eric Opitz

Captain Heath Johnmeyer presents MMN2 Samuel T. Boudreau with his Good Conduct Medal (First Award).  The Navy Good Conduct Medal (NGCM) was established by the Secretary of the Navy on 26 April 1869 to recognize the "all-around" good Navy enlisted person, well qualified in all phases of conduct and performance.