Page 25 - Mariner Winter 2023 Volume 65 Issue 3 Jan

“I have missed being a part of a crew, and

solving problems together as a team.”

of a U.S. Navy submarine. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass By May of 2017 Cowan was serving as the Engineering
Communication Specialist 1st Class Brian G. Reynolds) Officer aboard the Virginia-class fast-attack submarine
USS Texas (SSN 775). On Texas, she enjoyed seeing
On Nov. 12, 2022 Cowan became the executive officer the difference in attack submarine missions compared
(XO) of the Gold Crew of the Ohio-class ballistic missile to her previous experience aboard a ballistic missile
submarine USS Kentucky (SSBN 737), making her the submarine. Cowan observed that regardless of the plat-
first woman to serve as XO of a U.S. Navy submarine. form, working as a team with the other Sailors on board
was essential to mission success. “A lot of submarining
Cowan was in the first cohort of women to serve aboard is communicating with others and understanding the
submarines. After graduating from the University of people-to-people dynamic in a stressful environment,”
Washington in 2010, she received her first set of orders Cowan explained.
to attend Nuclear Power School in Goose Creek, South
Carolina, the first of many schools required for submarine After Texas, Cowan served at Commander, U.S.
officers. The Nuclear Power School curriculum covered Submarine Forces Pacific Fleet as the Force Radiological
topics like math, physics, chemistry and nuclear reac- Controls Officer. When she was selected to serve as an
tor technology, and after completing Power School she XO, she began the Submarine Command Course at the
attended Naval Prototype Training Unit and Submarine Naval Submarine Training Center, Pacific.
Officer Basic course. Then Cowan, along with the rest of
her classmates, reported to submarines across the Navy as While the mantle of being the first at something may
division officers. weigh heavy at times, Cowan takes it all in stride and
remembers the inspiring words of one of her grandfathers,
Cowan’s first boat was the Ohio-class ballistic missile sub- who told her, “If anybody’s going to do it, you gotta show
marine USS Maine (SSBN 741) (Blue). Over the course ‘em how to do it right.”
of three years, which included three-and-a-half strategic
deterrence patrols, she served as the Main Propulsion Her passion for what she does is visible when she speaks.
Assistant, Damage Control Assistant and Tactical Systems She talks about submarining as a verb, and fondly remem-
Officer. “I started in the engine room, which is where we bers the many ‘we really just did that’ moments she’s
build our foundation,” said Cowan. “It teaches officers to shared with her shipmates underway. While some may
trust their enlisted counterparts and also have ownership relish shore duty, she’s genuinely excited to be going back
of and in a watch team.” to a boat. “I have missed being a part of a crew, and solv-
ing problems together as a team,” said Cowan.
One of Cowan’s favorite memories from her division offi-
cer tour is from a duty day, when she found herself mak- Cowan had this to say to anyone considering the silent
ing rounds at night as the Engineering Duty Officer and service: “I, we, need smart talented people like you. If you
Ship’s Duty Officer. Her ship was in dry dock at the time, are good with team success, the submarine force is for you
and as she walked around and under the nearly 600-foot as well. It’s going to challenge you in ways you won’t find
submarine she thought to herself, “I can’t believe it is my anywhere else on the planet.”
job to be in charge of this!”
As of November 2022, women Sailors are assigned to 28
Following her time with Maine (Blue), she served as the operational submarine crews. Based on overall retention
Assistant Nuclear Programs Coordinator at Naval Service rates and high accession source interest, the Submarine
Training Command in Pensacola, Fla., and then attended Force plans to integrate 33 submarine crews by 2030.
the Submarine Officer’s Advanced Course in Groton,
Conn. in preparation to serve as a department head.

The Naval Enlisted Reserve Association 25