You are the commander of a SSBN and you get the command from the pentagon under Trump's administration to launch nukes, what will you do?

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Will you launch?

  • Yes, Always obey the chain of command

    Votes: 10 38.5%
  • No,. Go Rogue

    Votes: 16 61.5%

  • Total voters
    26

pauldun170

Diamond Member
Sep 26, 2011
9,142
5,089
136
I actually worked with nuclear weapons when I was in the Navy during the late 60's, as at the time aircraft carriers carried hundreds of tactical nukes from 20 Kilotons to multiple megaton yields. Clinton removed all nukes from surface ships in 91.

My take away is if WWIII is fought with nukes, WWIV will be fought with sticks and stones. I would absolutely refuse to launch a first strike.

I'm assuming you had not had your coffee prior to your post

Clinton was inaugurated as President of the United States on January 20, 1993. The fleet was being de-nuclearized before Clinton took office because it was stupid to maintain that when the Soviet Union disappeared.

George Bush was the once who announced in 1991 that non strategic nuclear weapons were being ditched from the fleet.
In 1994, the Clinton administration announced that nukes would be restricted to attack subs

The posture review that occured in 94 can be summarized here
 

pcgeek11

Lifer
Jun 12, 2005
21,632
4,685
136
I asked a missileer this very question. He said that the crew would know that it was a real launch while doing it.

Yes they would know that it was not a drill or test.


Yeah, probably don't want to flood the tubes unless it was an actual launch I guess. And there is probably some kind of warm up for the missiles or something. In other words things you wouldn't miss happening on the same boat as you.

You don't flood the missile tubes. LOL

A rough synopsis:
You pressurize them with air at 2 to 4 psi above sea pressure before you open the hatch or else that hatch ain't opening. There is then a diaphragm ( old system ) or closure ( newer systems ) that separates the missile from the water. At launch the diaphragm/closure is blown using detonators and det cord to cut it into pieces and the missile is launched with high pressure steam generated by a small rocket motor and a cooling chamber. It then travels to the surface in a bubble. Once it reaches the required velocity and travel requirements it ignites its own rocket motor first stage and takes flight. After it is launched and the umbilical(s) are disconnected there is no changes that can be made.
 
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balloonshark

Diamond Member
Jun 5, 2008
6,580
3,059
136
Remember, the person giving the orders is already safe and sound under a mile of rock with enough food and water rations to last them years. You, your crew and everyone else you know will be fucked. Care to change your vote?
 

dainthomas

Lifer
Dec 7, 2004
14,635
3,509
136
Capt Hackman would definitely nuke everyone, but XO Denzel would hide the launch key and get punched in the face while the captain tells racist stories about horses.
 
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pcgeek11

Lifer
Jun 12, 2005
21,632
4,685
136
Remember, the person giving the orders is already safe and sound under a mile of rock with enough food and water rations to last them years. You, your crew and everyone else you know will be fucked. Care to change your vote?


Nope.
If we are commanded to launch the US has already been fucked.

Do you want to change your vote?
 

HomerJS

Lifer
Feb 6, 2002
36,730
28,908
136
The EAM Messages do not come from the President directly. EAMs are issued from the National Military Command Center at the Pentagon or by the alternate if the NMCC is destroyed. In the event they are both destroyed it is send via the National Airborn Op Center.




Then you wouldn't have to worry about it as you would never be a Submarine Captain on an SSBN.
Here's one for you if you'll take it.

You get a call from the White House directly. I know the orders may not come that way but I'm sure they can communicate with SSBN's. If Trump being commander in chief personally gave that order, would you follow it?
 

BarkingGhostar

Diamond Member
Nov 20, 2009
8,409
1,617
136
I guess I could feel good about nuking all those Trump properties ... both foreign and here at home.
 

spacejamz

Lifer
Mar 31, 2003
10,868
1,516
126
Here’s what goes into a president’s decision to launch nuclear weapons


4:36 discusses the 'Barman' scenario which is what the OP is probably talking about...
 

pcgeek11

Lifer
Jun 12, 2005
21,632
4,685
136
Here's one for you if you'll take it.

You get a call from the White House directly. I know the orders may not come that way but I'm sure they can communicate with SSBN's. If Trump being commander in chief personally gave that order, would you follow it?

It doesn't work that way. The president don't "call" a submerged submarine. The only coms are via a floating wire ( radio communication one way ) when you are on alert status.

No, it would not be a legal order EAM.
 

JEDIYoda

Lifer
Jul 13, 2005
33,986
3,320
126
Here’s what goes into a president’s decision to launch nuclear weapons


4:36 discusses the 'Barman' scenario which is what the OP is probably talking about...
That is not even close to what happens!
Here is what happens --step by step....
1) Trump is told that the soviets have launched a ballistic nuclear missle attack!
2) Trump picks up the res phone and calls his handler - Putin!
3) Putin picks up the phone and asks Trump hows the weather?
4) Trump says to Putin -- I thought we were butt buddies?
5) Putin says to Trump we are butt buddies. No bend over and grab your ankles and kiss your butt goodbye!
Laughing can be heard throughout the Kremlin. After all Putin had Trump on speaker phone@!!
 

mikeymikec

Lifer
May 19, 2011
18,600
11,288
136
That is not even close to what happens!
Here is what happens --step by step....
1) Trump is told that the soviets have launched a ballistic nuclear missle attack!
2) Trump picks up the res phone and calls his handler - Putin!
3) Putin picks up the phone and asks Trump hows the weather?
4) Trump says to Putin -- I thought we were butt buddies?
5) Putin says to Trump we are butt buddies. No bend over and grab your ankles and kiss your butt goodbye!
Laughing can be heard throughout the Kremlin. After all Putin had Trump on speaker phone@!!

Step 5 is incorrect. Putin says those aren't Russian nukes, check the radiation signature when they hit and you'll see, and it would be a really bad idea to respond until you have all the facts, and then to remember our deal and pray that he doesn't alter it any further.

Step 6 is Trump announcing to the world that he believes Putin over his intelligence services, again.
 
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Feb 4, 2009
35,245
16,716
136
Here’s what goes into a president’s decision to launch nuclear weapons


4:36 discusses the 'Barman' scenario which is what the OP is probably talking about...

Well in this scenario San Francisco is F’ed. No way is the President putting any of his properties in jepody because NK is prepping a Nuke to hit San Fran.
 

MtnMan

Diamond Member
Jul 27, 2004
8,960
8,191
136
I'm assuming you had not had your coffee prior to your post

Clinton was inaugurated as President of the United States on January 20, 1993. The fleet was being de-nuclearized before Clinton took office because it was stupid to maintain that when the Soviet Union disappeared.

George Bush was the once who announced in 1991 that non strategic nuclear weapons were being ditched from the fleet.
In 1994, the Clinton administration announced that nukes would be restricted to attack subs

The posture review that occured in 94 can be summarized here

Oh my, forgive me.... I had the date wrong... but CLINTON took the nukes off US Navy surface ships.

Oh and since nitpicking is where you get excited, occured is spelled occurred.
 

pauldun170

Diamond Member
Sep 26, 2011
9,142
5,089
136
Oh my, forgive me.... I had the date wrong... but CLINTON took the nukes off US Navy surface ships.

Oh and since nitpicking is where you get excited, occured is spelled occurred.

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