The U.S. Navy's top submarine commander visited Naval Submarine Base New London Feb. 16 to meet with students and instructors from the Naval Submarine School, support organizations, and crews of submarines homeported in Groton.

During several all-hands' calls Commander, Submarine Forces Vice Adm. Joseph E. Tofalo thanked the submarine community before speaking about the importance of submarines in the Navy and world affairs, current challenges, and his vision of the Submarine Force's future.

"Thank you for everything that you do," said Tofalo. "There are a lot of smart people in this audience and you could do anything that you want, but you made the choice to don the cloth of our nation by joining the Navy and serving in the submarine force."

Tofalo talked about the cohesion between the chief of naval operations' "A Design for Maintaining Maritime Superiority," and his "Commanders Intent for the U.S. Submarine Force and Supporting Organizations."

Both documents focus on four prioritized lines of effort.

"A Design for Maintaining Maritime Superiority" focuses on: (1) strengthen naval power at and from sea (2) achieve high velocity learning at every level (3) strengthen our Navy team for the future (4) expand and strengthen our network partners.

The Commander's Intent focuses on four prioritized lines of effort: (1) provide ready forces (2) employ the force effectively (3) develop future capability (4) empower our people, the foundation of our strength.

Both documents call for building the forces of the future through improved technology, practices, systems, and training.

Tofalo expanded on ways to empower our people by discussing current innovations in training, efforts in rating modernization, and harnessing the best ideas through high velocity learning.

He described a maritime environment of increased competition and a submarine force that is evolving its tools and training to meet those challenges.

"You are part of the submarine service during an important and exciting time," Tofalo said.

The submarine force commander reserved the last portion of each all-hands call to answers questions from Sailors. Questions ranged from personnel issues to challenges facing the submarine force of the future.

Listening to the submarine force commander was especially enlightening for one young Sailor. Seaman Chemanuel Colon is a culinary specialist who is about to graduate from Basic Enlisted Submarine School and join the fleet.

"When I first volunteered for subs, I didn't really grasp the importance of being part of the submarine service and what an honor it is," Colon said.

For more news from Commander, Submarine Forces, visit http://www.navy.mil/.

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