A third generation submarine officer received his gold dolphins (submarine warfare insignia) in a ceremony held on the mess desks of the Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine USS Boise (SSN 764), May 30.

Lt. j.g. Bryan Tobin was pinned by the Boise Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Chris Osborn, while Executive Officer, Lt. Cmdr. Mark Allen proctored the time-honored ceremony.

"This qualification means so much to me," said Tobin. "It's one thing to be able to set a goal and achieve it, but to know that my achievement makes me a contributing part of the team -- that's undeniably valuable."

"It's an honor to share in this special moment and award a junior officer that has such close ties with the submarine forces' history," said Osborn. "Not only did he earn his place within our submarine history, but he is personally carrying on a tradition that runs deep in the Tobin family."

Unbeknownst to the Chesapeake native, Tobin's father anticipated him reaching this goal and provided Allen with a set of dolphins to be used during the pinning ceremony.

These dolphins were first earned by his grandfather, Jim Tobin, in 1943 while serving aboard USS Steelhead (SS 280) during the early years of submarine combat in World War II. These dolphins were later pinned on his father, Bob Tobin, in 1978 while serving aboard USS Alexander (SSBN 617) (Blue).

Since Jim and Bob earn their dolphins as enlisted Sailors, Bob had the dolphins electroplated with gold so that his son would be able to wear the same set.

Now, 38 years after Tobin's father was pinned and 73 years after his grandfather was pinned, Tobin was being pinned with the same set of dolphins that they wore.

Tobin was unaware of the historical significance of his newly inherited dolphins.

"Being able to wear a piece of my family's history only adds to the sense of pride I have for accomplishing this goal," said Tobin.

The submarine warfare insignia, known as "dolphins" or "fish," is a uniform breast pin worn by enlisted Sailors and officers of the United States Navy to indicate that they are qualified in submarines. The pin's design consists of the bow view of a submarine with bow planes rigged for diving, flanked by dolphins. To qualify, a Sailor must complete a qualification card, pass a test and a board. During each of these tasks the Sailor must show a working knowledge of damage control, navigation, propulsion, combat, electronic and auxiliary systems. The qualification board is made up of senior Sailors who are considered experts on their systems.

Tobin's grandfather was buried at sea on July 31, 2011, from the bridge of Boise. His grandson joined the same ship four years later.

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