USS Boise Presented Battle "E" Award

By Kevin Copeland, Commander, Submarine Force Atlantic Public Affairs

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- The Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Boise (SSN 764) was officially presented the 2010 Battle Efficiency (Battle "E") award during a ceremony aboard Naval Station (NS) Norfolk, Va., Feb. 11.

Capt. Frank Cattani, commander, Submarine Squadron (COMSUBRON) 8; formally presented the award to Cmdr. Brian Sittlow, USS Boise commanding officer; Lt. Cmdr. John Croghan, USS Boise executive officer; and MMCS(SS) Stephen Capps, USS Boise chief of the boat; and the Boise crew, during the ceremony on Pier three.

"It is my distinct pleasure and honor to present the Battle 'E' award today," said Cattani. "Boise had an outstanding year. You demonstrated the highest state of readiness by displaying unmatched resiliency, leadership, hard work, and commitment to excellence.

"Boise is a great ship, but the award is really about you – the crew. Your personal excellence is the foundation of your operational excellence. Your sustained superior performance in a challenging operational environment while on deployment was second to none. Boise is truly, 'A One Ship Fleet,'" said Cattani.

The Battle "E" competition is conducted to strengthen individual command performance, overall force readiness, and to recognize outstanding performance. The criterion for the award is the overall readiness of the command to carry out its assigned wartime tasks as a unit of the Atlantic Submarine Force, and is based on a year-long evaluation.

One submarine from each submarine squadron in the Atlantic Fleet is recognized. The awards are presented by the commodore of each squadron to the submarine under their command which has demonstrated the highest level of battle readiness during the evaluation year.

"Boise is very proud to receive the 2010 COMSUBRON Eight Battle "E," said Sittlow. "This award means a lot to the crew. It signifies submarine force and fleet-wide recognition for all the hard work that went into making 2010 a very successful year for the ship, particularly our recently completed deployment.

"Although there is never a shortage of teamwork and a sense of 'ship, shipmate, self' in the submarine force, an award like this adds even more pride and a sense of importance to our day-to-day work. It also re-establishes high standards for continued hard work, and hopefully more success in 2011."

The USS Boise executive officer amplified his commanding officer's reaction on receiving the award.

"To be recognized by the submarine force leadership for the hard work of every member of the crew is definitely a highlight in my career," said Croghan. "This is my fourth ship and my first Battle 'E'. "A ship can't win this award without a fundamental understanding of the importance of the camaraderie and teamwork that it takes to execute the daily mission of a submarine.

"Less than a year before our deployment, Boise was in the shipyard with half-a-dozen hull cuts. The feeling of accomplishment after completing all of the inspections, certifications, and training required to successfully deploy on time in such a short period after the shipyard is tremendous.

"I have been fortunate to be a part of the some very talented crews, but the teamwork we have on Boise is definitely a key ingredient in making optimum use of the talents of every man on board. Every man contributed to our successes in 2010, and every man understands that he is accountable to the man next to him on the team to make the ship a success," said Croghan.

In addition to the Battle "E" award, Boise was also presented the Medical "M," the Supply "E," the Communications "C," the Navigation "N," and the Engineering "E".

"This kind of significant recognition of a job well done can be a rally point in establishing esprit-de-corps and unit cohesion," said Capps. "When Sailors feel like they are part of something special, they want to be involved, and when everyone is involved, morale and the things that coincide with it improve. These awards are confirmation that the men of Boise did an outstanding job at the highest of all standards. We all like to think we do a great job, but this confirms it."

All submarine force command Battle "E" winners were announced via Navy message by Vice Adm. John M. Richardson, commander, Submarine Forces announced the winners Jan. 1.

"The competition for these honors was, as always, extremely keen," stated Richardson in the message. "These awards should be a source of great pride to each and every crew member. Bravo Zulu."

For more information on the Submarine Force visit the Submarine Force Atlantic web site at www.sublant.navy.mil.