Cooking UNDERWATER: Inside the Galley of a US Navy Nuclear Submarine

The Challenges of Cooking Underwater: Inside the Galley of a US Navy Nuclear Submarine

The life of a U.S. Navy submariner is not easy. These sailors live for months in a steel tube cruising through freezing cold water, surrounded by explosives, flammable materials, and even nuclear weapons. Even in peacetime they run the risk of terrible accidents. In wartime they risk being hounded to destruction by enemy ships and helicopters. But they eat magnificently well. If you don't believe me, then check out this video where we will tell you more about what a sailors eat on a nuclear submarine!

When you live under the sea for months at a time, food becomes not only a necessary part of the health of the crew, but it becomes a profoundly important psychological factor in their well-being too. The cooks on submarines are the elite in the Navy. They have to be able not only to prepare, cook, and bake all of the different types of foods for the various meals, of which there are four in a 24-hour cycle, but they have to do it in the smallest spaces imaginable.

#usnavy #aircraftcarrier #sailors

[thetinoshow]

As a former Army Grunt, I have nothing but love, admiration and respect for Cooks in any branch. You people are heroes, bravest of the brave.

[granthammond]

I wasn't a Submariner. But, I spent 40+ years, working on, or building them. And, I live close to the base, where I do most of my shopping. This story is spot on, about the eating habits on subs. BRAVO ZULU on this report.

[williewonka]

Served on US attack subs in the 1980s. The food aboard was generally pretty good, unless there was an extended period at sea. We once went 57 days, unexpectedly, and there was a lot of tuna casseroles and peanut sandwiches the last couple weeks. Luckily, there was no risk of running out of coffee.

[davidwolf]

As a Navy vet, I never had any gripes with our chow. God bless all of those who prepare these meals.

[brianlee]

I was once chatting with an ex-WWII submarine cook and he said the most difficult part of the job was doing it silently.

Every year there are a couple of videos of life cooking on NAVY vessels and I always enjoy them all.

[azdigbee]

So if cooking over open flame is do you show cooking on an open flame gas range ?

[chrisamadon]

I served on 2 submarines, and I can say that our food was great. Our cooks did a fantastic job

[fkchci]

Finally a military video that stays on topic. Thank You!

[politicsuncensored]

I was assigned to the sub base at Kings Bay when it opened. Everyday 24/7/365 the tender crew for the subs provided everything these folks needed. It was an amazing sight to see at times. Subs tied up port & starboard. We could be loading food to one sub and weapons to another sub. The cooks on the tender did a fantastic job. The tender had about 1, 200 crew, then the sub crews often ate on the tender during their 3 month overhaul. PJ

[timothywalker]

One of my favorite stories were about WW2 crews coming back to Pearl Harbor from patrol. They would line up for salads and get as much fresh fruit as they could get😂

[azpro]

Thank you to the culinary Chefs. My son, age 24, is currently on one of these Sub. It is good to know he is well taken care of!

[alanstrong]

One advantage: barometric pressure is much greater. Cooking time is a good bit less. Water boils at higher temperatures, cutting the cooking time by quite a margin.

[nicktant]

You’re speaking about submarines, however you are repeatedly showing the galleys of Aircraft Carriers.

[JeffDeWitt]

This is interesting but needed more editing. One of the clips showed a tile wall, which seems unlikely on a submarine. Later it shows a gas burner, followed by a comment that open flames are dangerous and not allows. Then we are told the cooking appliances can be electric and gas.

[protonneutron]

WRONG!!!! There are LOTS of fresh food loaded on subs. It gets used first. The person making this video is clueless

[petehayes]

I served onboard a nuclear submarine (USS JAMES MADISON. SSBN 627) back in th early to late 70s. While tied up along side the tender getting the boat ready to go on patrol the One day no one looked forward to was load-out day. That day was dedicated to loading ships stores (food) where almost the entire crew loaded the food by hand. It always amazed me about the quantity of food that was brought onboard. And, it all had to fit through a hatch not much larger than the shoulders of a large man. Try to imagine passing 35 pound cans of coffee and vegetables down a hatch...and you did this for much of the day. I understand that today's boats have hatches for loading foods and that it takes very few hands to get the food loaded. Good memories.

[johnj]

Love to see the food go around. Everything from it's shipping, preparation, and delivery to the personel. Appreciate the tediousness of making mealtime the most interesting and satisfying time, during dangerous work, or normal sea going conditions. Much admiration for the cooks!

[herbenevolence]

I always find it funny how many videos about submarines are about the food

[skipdavis]

i was 7 years usaf in the 80's. everyone in the military knows that submarine food is the best in the military, and to a man, i never met anyone who begrudged them that. everyone said: "they deserve it."