Bob Sommer - Vice Commander
Bob Sommer spent 30 years in the U. S. Navy, with 17 years enlisted and 13 years commissioned service. Advancing from E-1 to E-8 Bob was an Enlisted Submarine Qualified Radioman. He qualified on the USS Barbel (SS-580) in 1963 and served on USS Cusk (SS-348) and USS Gudgeon (SS-567). After 3 years on Embassy Duty in Rome, Italy, and completing several schools, Bob had his first tour, as a Radioman, on USS Simon Bolivar (SSBN-641) Blue Crew. After completing his undergraduate degree at Baptist College in Charleston, SC, he served as a Senior Chief Radioman at Mobile Technical Unit Ten in Charleston, SC. He was then transferred to USS Simon Bolivar (SSBN-641) Blue Crew as the Chief of the Boat. While on patrol, Bob was notified he was selected for commissioning as a W-2 Warrant Officer. Bolivar was sent to the yards in Portsmouth, NH for overhaul, where Bob was commissioned. His first assignment as a new Warrant Officer was to the USS L. Y. Spear (AS-36) where he served as both R-3 (Electric Repair) Division Officer and R-4 (Electronics Repair) Division Officer. During his three years on L Y Spear, he deployed for 6 months to the Indian Ocean, qualified as Surface Warfare Officer, advanced to W-3 Warrant Officer and was selected and promoted to LTJG in the Limited Duty Officer Program. His next assignment was to Commander Submarine Force Atlantic (COMSUBLANT) as the Force Electronics Officer. During this tour he advanced to LT, and was transferred to New London, CT to Submarine School as the Electronics Training Department Head and as the Director, Submarine Surveillance Equipment Program (SSEP), working directly for COMSUBLANT. After 4 years at SubScol, Bob’s final tour of duty as a Lieutenant Commander was as the Officer in Charge of Mobile Technical Unit Four, Groton, CT and Mobile Technical Unit Four Detachment, Newport, RI. Bob retired after 30 years of active service.