USS Maryland Submariners Visit Fort Meade Teen Center

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— Crew members assigned to the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS Maryland (SSBN 738) visited Fort Meade Teen Center at Fort Meade and spoke about submariner life during Maryland Fleet Week and Air Show Baltimore (MDFWASB) on October 4, 2018.

The sailors discussed a range of topics involving life on their boat, from the process of electrolysis to their sleeping arrangements. Lt. j.g. Bryan Cooley, from Sturgis, South Dakota remarked on the level of questioning his crew received.

“These kids were really, really smart and asked a lot of sharp questions,” Cooley said. “Speaking events like this gives us a great opportunity to inform kids on the Navy as a whole and we hope to inspire their curiosity and a drive towards science, technology, engineering and math.”

Maryland’s crew has been taking time to visit middle schools, vocational schools and after-school centers in order to educate school children on the Navy’s unique lifestyle. This particular after-school center is special as most of the students are Soldiers’ children.

“It was a refreshing perspective for the kids,” said Dayle Bowser, the center’s assistant director. “One of the kids actually came up to me during the presentation and thanked me for inviting the Sailors so that he could hear about another branch, since both his parents are Army. The Sailors were really engaging and did a great job answering the questions with the greatest amount of transparency.”

After the presentation, Sailors stuck around to answer questions one-on-one, and challenged the kids to ping pong, video games and billiards.

“I wish I would have gotten an opportunity like this when I was their age,” Sonar Technician (Submarine) Jacob Lane said. “I’m glad to be able to describe a different service to these young adults and give them a glimpse into some complicated systems. This group gets me excited for the rest of the crowds we’re going to get to talk to.”

Throughout Maryland Fleet Week and Air Show Baltimore, Oct. 3-9, U.S., Canadian and British navy vessels will be available for embarking visitors in the Inner Harbor, Fells Point and Locust Point. Service members will be participating in an array of other activities,

including: visiting local schools, conducting ship tours, attending receptions and sporting events, participating in community service projects and experiencing Baltimore.

MDFWASB is Baltimore’s celebration of the sea services and provides an opportunity for the citizens of Maryland and the city of Baltimore to meet Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen, as well as see firsthand the latest capabilities of today’s maritime services.