Submarine LDO Assumes 'Silver Eagle' Title

GROTON, Conn. (NNS) -- The distinguished title and responsibilities afforded the Navy's most senior limited duty officer (LDO) changed from one Sailor to another June 28 during a retirement ceremony at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Fla.

Capt. Richard Verbeke, commanding officer of Regional Support Group (RSG) Groton, assumed the title of Silver Eagle from retiring Capt. Gerry Slevin who was assigned to Defense Information Systems Agency, Special Operations Command.

"I've never imagined getting to this point in my career. To have been around this long and to make captain, I've been very fortunate," said Verbeke who has actively served in the Navy for 36 years.

The "Silver Eagle and Horse Shoe" award is held by the most senior LDO in the Navy across all designators and is passed down to the next most senior individual at the conclusion of the current Silver Eagle's active service.

"[This award] can be whatever you want to be," said Verbeke. "There are some who let it sit on a desk...and there are those who take leadership and responsibility within the community to provide guidance and assistance."

Verbeke enlisted in the Navy in 1977 as a nuclear-qualified electrician's mate on submarines and worked his way up to the rank of chief in seven years. After two years in the Chief's Mess, he received his commission through the LDO and warrant officer program and has worked in submarine maintenance ever since.

"I believe the LDO and warrant officer program is very critical and very important to the submarine force," said Verbeke. "That expertise and experience, which the LDO's can bring with the knowledge that they have from the operational side, is paramount to keeping the submarines operational."

LDO and warrant officers make up approximately 20 percent of all submarine officers and are heavily relied upon for their expertise in maintenance and technical areas.

When asked to give advice to younger Sailors today, Verbeke said, "Always be prepared for someone to knock on your door or to call you with new opportunities. You never know when they're going to arrive, and they have arrived many times in my life and have altered all my plans in a heartbeat. And they've always been for the better."

RSG Groton serves as Commander, Submarine Force's direct waterfront representative. The command is responsible for directing, assigning, and monitoring the accomplishment of repairs and modernizations for the submarine squadrons at Naval Submarine Base New London.

Verbeke plans to retire from the Navy in 2015 and complete 38 years of active duty service.

For more news from Commander Submarine Group 2, visit www.navy.mil/local/Subgru2/.