Homeport

As I draw an end to this series of articles based on my recent journey to Reflect, (Re)Discover, and (Re)Connect, it seems fitting to write this last episode from my Navy “homeport”, Groton, Connecticut; the last leg of this extended road trip.

While I was in the Navy and served on the USS Groton (SSN 694), homeport for me was Groton – the Submarine Capital of the World. According to the Town of Groton, “Groton became known as the Submarine Capital of the World when the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics delivered 74 diesel submarines to the Navy in World War II. This was followed in 1954 with the launch of the USS Nautilus, the world's first nuclear-powered submarine, now permanently berthed at Goss Cove near the Submarine Base.” Naval Submarine Base New London (which sits on the Groton side of the Thames River) is “home” for all US Submariners – every submariner spends some part of their career in Groton. While I was stationed in Groton, home for me was Groton Long Point – a small borough in the town of Groton that according to the 2010 Census had a year-round population of 518. The purpose of my recent visit to Groton was not to visit the submarine base, but to reflect further on our military family and spend time with “my first family” of submarining.

When I was a Midshipman in the Naval ROTC at Vanderbilt University, I was trying to find my way; I wanted to fly jets and my initial interest was in the Marine Corps. Part of the summer training program for Midshipmen is to spend one week with each of the major warfare communities – Surface Warfare, Aviation, Submarine Force, and the Marine Corps. During that summer training period in 1984, I was fortunate to gain exposure to each of the warfare communities which informed my selection. As important for my development, a Vandy friend and fellow Midshipman, invited me to spend a long weekend in Bangor, Washington, where his family was stationed. While I grew up around veterans and was part of a veteran family, Ian was part of a currently serving Navy family – a Submarine Service family.

Ian’s dad, Gordon, was a Navy Captain. In the summer of 1984, he commanded Submarine Squadron 17 and Submarine Group 9 – the first eight submarines of the Ohio Class were part of Group 9. Captain Lange was a member of one of the early cohorts of Naval officers selected by Admiral Rickover to form the nuclear Navy. He was easily the most senior Naval officer I had met at that point in my training, and before arriving at their home I was appropriately intimidated.

Within moments of arriving at the Lange home I was immediately put at ease by a warm and generous welcome from Ian’s mom, Carole, and Teddy the family English sheepdog. The weekend with the Langes was the first real introduction to military family life that I had experienced. I was captivated by the items that decorated the home – collected from the many places the Langes had lived and served. I was amazed by the stories of moves from coast to coast, since I spent all my youth in one city. I was hopeful to hear some Cold War sea stories; and disappointed to find Captain Lange embodied the "silent service." I also learned that every Navy family (at least submarine families) keep a squeegee in the shower! Mostly, I was impressed by the strength of the family connection. While I sensed that sea service, and particularly submarine service, would be challenging – the Langes seemed to me a family that I would want to emulate.

The Lange family has a tradition of Naval service. Across three generations, starting with Ian’s dad, there are nearly 100 years of service in the U.S. Navy. What that figure doesn’t capture is the service of the Lange family members who did not put on the uniform each day. Like every military family – the service of the service member requires support and sacrifice by all members of the family. The Lange family supported one another, and even before Ian and two of his three siblings began active service – their entire family sacrificed.

Like most military families – the Langes moved frequently; Gordon and Carole lived in 18 different houses over the course of a 30 year career. According to the Department of Defense (DoD), the average military child moves six to nine times in a school career (3 times more frequently than a non-military child). What I learned about Ian and his siblings – and many military children – is their ability to quickly adapt to new environments and make friends. These are learned skills that build resilience.

Carole Lange, a Vassar College and Columbia University educated English teacher, had to interrupt her teaching career because of Gordon’s service. Carole’s experience is like that of currently serving military spouses. According to DoD’s 2019 Spouse Survey, 22% of military spouses in the workforce were unemployed (36% are not in the labor force); a pre-COVID figure that was unchanged since 2012 while unemployment in the US declined from 8% to 3% during the same period. A more recent, and pre-COVID, report from Hiring Our Heroes found the military spouse unemployment rate may have increased by 10%.

While her formal career was disrupted, Carole remained actively involved in education. She was not just involved, she led – serving on Boards of Education, as a substitute teacher, PTA President, room parent, Sunday school teacher, etc. While in Washington state, she led a political action group to gain in-state tuition for military dependents. She was always in the lead for a hail, or farewell party. Carole was the Military Spouse of the Year in 1972.

Carole did more than adapt, she served: our country, our Navy, the submarine community, and her family. She supported Gordon in his career, as well as the families under his command. The Langes always referred to, “their service.” It was always, “we” – a partnership in service. Carole lived the Navy Core Values: honor, courage and commitment.

Carole and Gordon raised a military family that contributed another 65 years of Naval service beyond Gordon’s. While this is common in the military community, it’s uncommon in America. According to Department of Defense data, only 29% of age eligible youth qualify for military service, and 80% of those who serve are military connected. Ian went on to have his own successful military career and thriving military family.

While military life has its challenges, and the Langes faced many of them, their family is an example of a military family that approached each challenge as an opportunity, and each opportunity as a gift. The Langes developed and demonstrated resilience, but as a family they are more than resilient: they are strong, faithful, happy, optimistic and flourishing.

Since that summer of 1984 – Ian’s family and my family have become close, very close. We have laughed, debated, cried, celebrated, and mourned together. One thing I learned from the Langes is that while homeport is a place, home – particularly for a military family – is where family is. My family has been blessed to be at home with the Langes. 

In memoriam: Carole Carlson Lange, March 9, 1935 – January 31, 2021.