Provided by U.S. Navy Office of Community Outreach
A Bristow, native is serving aboard USS New Mexico, one of the world’s most advanced nuclear-powered submarines.
Lt. j.g. Matthew Nilsen joined the Naval ROTC at Old Dominion University in 2018. Today, Nilsen serves as a submarine officer.
“I wanted to do submarines because I thought it was a unique way to serve my country,” said Nilsen. “I was thankful to earn a Naval ROTC scholarship to pay for my college.”
Nilsen attended Patriot High School and graduated in 2014. Today, Nilsen relies upon skills and values similar to those found in Bristow to succeed in the military.
“I learned to work with a lot of different people from different backgrounds in Bristow,” said Nilsen. “I learned how to lead people playing sports, and still carry lessons from my coaches today. My father was a submarine captain in the Navy, and the life lessons he taught me, especially about leadership, inspired me as a person. What he learned in the Navy is something I wanted to be a part of. The importance of hard work and the never-give-up attitude.”
These lessons have helped Nilsen while serving in the Navy.
Known as America’s “Apex Predators!,” the Navy’s submarine force operates a large fleet of technically-advanced vessels. These submarines are capable of conducting rapid defensive and offensive operations around the world, in furtherance of U.S. national security.
There are three basic types of submarines: fast-attack submarines (SSN), ballistic-missile submarines (SSBN) and guided-missile submarines (SSGN).
Fast-attack submarines are designed to hunt down and destroy enemy submarines and surface ships; strike targets ashore with cruise missiles; carry and deliver Navy SEALs; conduct intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions; and engage in mine warfare. The Virginia-class SSN is the most advanced submarine in the world today. It combines stealth and payload capability to meet Combatant Commanders’ demands in this era of strategic competition.
The Navy’s ballistic-missile submarines, often referred to as “boomers,” serve as a strategic deterrent by providing an undetectable platform for submarine-launched ballistic missiles. SSBNs are designed specifically for stealth, extended patrols and the precise delivery of missiles. The Columbia-class SSBN will be the largest, most capable and most advanced submarine produced by the U.S. – replacing the current Ohio-class ballistic-missile submarines to ensure continuous sea-based strategic deterrence into the 2080s.
Guided-missile submarines provide the Navy with unprecedented strike and special operation mission capabilities from a stealthy, clandestine platform. Each SSGN is capable of carrying 154 Tomahawk cruise missiles, plus a complement of heavyweight torpedoes to be fired through four torpedo tubes.
Strategic deterrence is the Nation’s ultimate insurance program, according to Navy officials. As a member of the submarine force, Nilsen is part of a rich 122-year history of the U.S. Navy’s most versatile weapons platform, capable of taking the fight to the enemy in the defense of America and its allies.
Serving in the Navy means Nilsen is part of a world that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.
“With more than 70 percent of the planet being water, we need a strong Navy to protect our nation on all sides,” said Nilsen.
With more than 90 percent of all trade traveling by sea, and 95 percent of the world’s international phone and internet traffic carried through underwater fiber optic, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity and security of the United States is directly linked to a strong and ready Navy.
Nilsen and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“I’m proud of our most-recent deployment, and personally, I’m proud of earning my submarine warfare qualification because this is when we join the brotherhood to be part of the crew,” said Nilsen.
As Nilsen and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.”
“There’s a sense of pride serving my country and serving something that’s bigger than myself,” added Nilsen. “The crew on this sub are what makes this job what it is. They’re the reason I love coming to work. The camaraderie aboard the sub is why I enjoy being part of the submarine community.”
