Crew Update

CAPT Heath Johnmeyer, Commanding Officer, PCU District of Columbia (SSBN-826) greets youngster at the 2024 Official Army-Navy Block Party at The Yards Park.

Lieutenant Groshek, the Electrical Assistant onboard PCU District of Columbia (SSBN-826), reenlists EMN1(SS) Kwame Boahene for 6 years.   During the reenlistment ceremony, every Sailor reaffirms their Oath of Enlistment.  YNSCS(SS/DV) Eric D. Opitz stands by with Petty Officer Boahene's reenlistment paperwork.

PCU District of Columbia's (SSBN-826) Commanding Officer, Captain Heath Johnmeyer, and Lieutenant Groshek, the Electrical Assistant, present EMN1(SS) Kwame Boahene with a his nuclear Enlisted Supervisor Retention Pay (ESRP) check.  The U.S. Navy's ESRP program provides a retention incentive for nuclear trained supervisory Sailors with highly specialized skills who are willing to make the Navy a career choice.  The ESRP program became effective 5 November 2004; skills must be defined as a "critical skill" in accordance with 37, U.S.Code section 331.  Congratulations Petty Officer Boahene and thank you for your dedicated service to our Navy and our nation!

Captain Heath Johnmeyer, Commanding Officer, PCU District of Columbia (SSBN-826) presents Lieutenant Junior Grade Daniel R. Beaird with the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (Gold Star in lieu of the Third Award) for meritorious service while serving as the USS George Washington (CVN-73) Repair Officer from November 2021 to December 2023. The medal was created 11 January 1944 to recognize heroic or meritorious achievement or service performed in a manner above that normally expected, and sufficient to distinguish the individual above those performing similar services

MMN2(SS) Gracie Machin, Captain Heath Johnmeyer, CCSCM(SS) Mark Shipley, EMN1(SS) James Nirva, and EMN1(SS) John Foy stop by the USS District of Columbia Commissioning Committee’s display during the Naval Submarine League Annual Symposium & Industry Update 13 -14 November.

Captain Heath Johnmeyer presents ITN1(SS) Mikel R. Treece with a Commander, Submarine Group TEN Citation recognizing him as the Sailor of the Quarter for the Fourth Quarter 2024 for his outstanding performance of duty while serving as the Information Warfare Leading Petty Officer onboard PCU District of Columbia (SSBN-826).

Captain Heath Johnmeyer presents PCU District of Columbia (SSBN-826) Sailor of the Year to  EMN1(SS) James Nirva with a Commander, Submarine Group TEN Citation recognizing him as the Sailor of the Quarter for the Third Quarter 2024 for his outstanding performance of duty while serving as Engineering Department Training Assistant.

PCU District of Columbia (SSBN-826) Chief's Quarters after Chief Petty Officer (CPO) Pinning this year. Each year the United States Navy selects the best and brightest First Class Petty Officers for advancement to Chief Petty Officer. The CPO pinning ceremony is public recognition of the most significant career milestone for our Navy’s enlisted ranks.

MMNC Bolin and EMNC Smith grilling on 826 Day (August 26 in honor of PCU District of Columbia’s hull number, SSBN-826).

Rear Admiral Robert E. Wirth, Commander, Submarine Group TEN, presents EMN1(SS) John W. Foy with a Commander, Submarine Group TEN Citation recognizing him as the Sailor of the Quarter for the Second Quarter 2024 for his outstanding performance of duty while serving as the Electrical Division Leading Petty Officer onboard PCU District of Columbia (SSBN-826). Former Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Zumwalt, established the Sailor of the Quarter/Sailor of the Year program in 1972 as a way to recognize "...individuals at each command who symbolize the pride and professionalism inherent in the outstanding performance of many Navy Enlisted Personnel."

Rear Admiral Robert E. Wirth, Commander, Submarine Group TEN, presents MMN2(SS) Gracie J. Machin with a Commander, Submarine Group TEN Citation recognizing her as the PCU District of Columbia (SSBN-826) Junior Sailor of the Quarter for the Second Quarter 2024 as a result of her outstanding performance as the Reactor Laboratories Division Leading Petty Officer.

PCU District of Columbia (SSBN-826) Chiefs and Officers visit the World War II  Memorial in Groton, CT.

EMN1 Bonk, MMN2 Braun, MMN2 Hoyt and ITNC Barnes represented SSBN-826 at the 2024 Joint Women's Leadership Symposium 25-28 June.

As part of the Pinning Ceremony, Command Master Chief Gary Stephenson of Submarine Base New London, Groton, CT places a Senior Chief Petty Officer Combination Cover on newly pinned YNSCS (SS) Eric Opitz. Senior Chief Opitz' family and Captain Heath Johnmeyer, Commanding Officer, PCU District of Columbia (SSBN-826) look on. Senior Chief Petty Officers are selected as a result of their technical expertise, superior administrative skills, and most importantly, their superb leadership ability; they make up just 2.5% of the total enlisted force of the Navy.

Captain Heath Johnmeyer, Commanding Officer, PCU District of Columbia (SSBN-826) pinning on Senior Chief to YNSCS (SS) Eric Opitz

Captain Heath Johnmeyer presents MMN2 Samuel T. Boudreau with his Good Conduct Medal (First Award).  The Navy Good Conduct Medal (NGCM) was established by the Secretary of the Navy on 26 April 1869 to recognize the "all-around" good Navy enlisted person, well qualified in all phases of conduct and performance.