Peace Time: September 2, 2002

Archives

It's lonely, and often boring, on U.S. nuclear submarines, which have traditionally gone out on cruises lasting up to three months. In the last few years, the subs have gotten limited access to email (limited by how often the sub could come close to the surface and lock in a satellite for sending and receiving messages.) This has been a major morale booster for sub crews. Also welcome has been the introduction of DVD movies. Movie studios contribute DVD versions of their movies to the navy and each sub carries about 400 movies. Increasingly, sailors have been bringing their own laptop computers on board. A popular activity with the laptop is playing games. Noting this, a trade group representing console game manufacturers has donated enough game consoles so that each nuclear sub can have one. For different types of console were donated (PlayStation, PlayStation 2, Xbox and GameCube) plus 1700 games (76 different titles) so that each boat will have a wide selection. As soon as the navy sorts out which games go with which type console, the goodies will be distributed. The games will be more appreciated than the consoles, as sailors often bring those to sea with them as well. One game console per boat might hurt morale more than help it ("hey, I'm almost finished, just one more level")

 


Article Archive

Peace Time: Current 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 1999 


X

ad
0
20

Help Keep Us Soaring

We need your help! Our subscription base has slowly been dwindling. We need your help in reversing that trend. We would like to add 20 new subscribers this month.

Each month we count on your subscriptions or contributions. You can support us in the following ways:

  1. Make sure you spread the word about us. Two ways to do that are to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
  2. Subscribe to our daily newsletter. We’ll send the news to your email box, and you don’t have to come to the site unless you want to read columns or see photos.
  3. You can contribute to the health of StrategyPage. A contribution is not a donation that you can deduct at tax time, but a form of crowdfunding. We store none of your information when you contribute..
Subscribe   Contribute   Close