Greetings From The NJ Submarine Commissioning Committee
Greetings! As one of the newest Commissioning Committee members, it is an honor to represent the USS NEW JERSEY (SSN 796) and her crew as we prepare for a fabulous commissioning, one consistent with the importance of the event for the State of New Jersey, the United States Navy, and everyone who has worked diligently to support the construction and the commissioning of the newest Virginia class submarine to join the US Submarine Force.
We are all waiting patiently for the formal announcement of the date and location of the big event, but in the meantime, the Commissioning Committee continues to build awareness, develop strategic partnerships, and raise funds in support of the boat and her crew. If you or anyone you know is interested in partnering with us or sponsoring our initiatives, please reach out.
Members of the crew will be visiting the Atlantic City area from August 14-17 in conjunction with the Atlantic City Air Show. We hope many of you will be able to come say hello at one of the events during the week (see below). The Commissioning Committee will be there with official USS NEW JERSEY (SSN 796) merchandise and there will be plenty of great photo ops with the crew! We look forward to seeing you!
Get to know the boat's Sponsor -- Dr. Susan DiMarco
Happenings From The Boat!
Meet the new members of the command triad
Sailor of the Year! Brenden and Brenden
First Meal
Merchandise
Commissioning Week
Namesake Visit
Get to Know the Boat’s Sponsor
Dr. Susan DiMarco
The Secretary of the Navy is charged with designating sponsors for all United States Navy Ships. Sponsors play a unique role for the Navy. As they christen their ships, bestowing upon the vessel a name chosen by the Secretary of the Navy, they become an integral part of that ship’s history. The crew of the ship may change many times over the course of a ship’s life, but the Sponsor remains the same. The Sponsor’s role is an important one. She will participate in as many of the ceremonial milestones in the life of the ship as possible and her experiences will be memorable.
In her twenty-four years as a resident of northern New Jersey, Dr. Susan DiMarco has served on the board of directors for the Montclair Art Museum, the Mental Health Association of Essex County, and the Montclair Development Corporation. Susan was vice chair of the board of directors of Covenant House, an international, privately-funded childcare agency. She assisted Covenant House in opening Nancy’s Place, a residence for youth with behavioral health needs in Montclair, New Jersey in 2009.
Susan is a retired dentist with a degree from Georgetown University. She completed her training with a two-year postgraduate residency at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Care Center in New York City. Susan lives with her husband, Jeh Johnson, the former Secretary of Homeland Security, in Montclair, New Jersey. They have two adult children.
Happenings From The Boat
Meet the new members of the Command Triad
LCDR Andrew Hutchison
Executive Officer, PCU NEW JERSEY (SSN 796)
LCDR Andrew Hutchison is from Jonesboro, Arkansas. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. He also holds a Master of Science in Chemistry from the University of Maryland and a Master of Arts in Defense and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College.
LCDR Hutchison’s sea time includes two Western Pacific deployments and three strategic deterrent patrols. He is honored to have served with crews that earned the Meritorious Unit Citation, Battle Efficiency award, and STRATCOM Omaha trophy. He served in various division officer roles aboard USS NORTH CAROLINA (SSN 777) and as Engineer Officer aboard USS NEVADA (SSBN 733) (GOLD).
Ashore, LCDR Hutchison recently served as Junior Board Member on the Pacific Fleet Commander’s Nuclear Propulsion Examining Board. Previously, he was an instructor of chemistry at the Naval Academy.
STSCM Winfred “Keith” Cameron
Chief of the Boat, PCU NEW JERSEY(SSN 796)
Master Chief Cameron, a native of Shubuta, MS, enlisted in the United States Navy in July 1998. Following completion of basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, IL, he completed Basic Enlisted Submarine School and Sonar "A" School in Groton, CT.
In March of 1999, he reported to USS LA JOLLA (SSN 701) which was going through an overhaul at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, NH, but then changed home port to Pearl Harbor, HI. There he qualified in Submarines, Sonar Supervisor, and advanced to the rank of Second Class Petty Officer.
In December of 2002, he reported to Submarine Training Facility, Norfolk, VA, for instructor duty. Here he qualified Basic Instructor, Master Training Specialist, Command Fitness Leader; became Junior Sailor of the Year and advanced to the rank of First Class Petty Officer.
In February of 2007, he reported to Trident Training Facility, Kings Bay, GA, for Sonar "C" school.
In March of 2008, he reported to his second sea command, USS LOUISVILLE (SSN 724) which was going through an overhaul at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, NH, but then changed homeport to Pearl Harbor, HI. There he became Sonar Division Leading Petty Officer, qualified Chief-of-the-Watch, Duty Chief Petty Officer, Conventional Weapons Handling Supervisor, Diving Officer-of-the-Watch and advanced to the rank of Chief Petty Officer and completed his Sonar Division Leading Chief Petty Officer tour.
In March of 2014, he reported to Submarine Learning Center, Groton, CT, for intermediate duty. There he attended and graduated from the Prospective Sonar Leading Chief Petty Officer Course.
In July of 2014, he reported to Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, DC, for shore duty. There he was advanced to the rank of Senior Chief Petty Officer.
He reported to the USS GREENEVILLE in June 2017 as Sonar Division Leading Chief Petty Officer and Weapons Department Enlisted Advisor. He qualified Chief-of-the-Boat in 2019 and advanced to the rank of Master Chief Petty Officer in 2021.
He reported to Undersea Warfighting Development Center, Norfolk, VA, in August 2021 and assumed the role of Senior Enlisted Advisor and N7 Department Leading Chief Petty Officer.
He reported to PCU NEW JERSEY (SSN 796), in Newport News, VA, in May 2023 and assumed the role of Chief of the Boat.
His decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (4 awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (7 awards), and various unit and campaign awards.
Master Chief has three children, Javon and Xavier who live in Norfolk, VA, and Jordan who lives in Milwaukee, WI.
Sailor of the Year! Brenden and Brenden
Two sailors from the USS NEW JERSEY (PCU 796), Brenden Smith and Brenden S. Wilkinson, were recently recognized by the USS NEW JERSEY Commissioning Committee for their contributions to the ongoing construction of the United States Navy’s next Virginia Class submarine as the 2022 Sailors of the Year.
Sonar Technician Submarines First Class Petty Officer Brenden Smith hails from Davenport, Indiana. His superior performance as a member of Sonar Division onboard PCU NEW JERSEY(SSN 796) and standing a supervisory watch station in port and at sea were in traditions with the utmost high standard of the United States Navy. These superior duties earned him the title of PCU NEW JERSEY's 2022 Sailor of the Year./p>
Machinist Mate Auxiliary Submarines Second Class Petty Officer Brenden S. Wilkinson hails from Galveston, Texas. His superior performance as a member of Auxiliary Division onboard PCU NEW JERSEY(SSN 796) in achieving a high and efficient system turnover of shipyard systems in addition to supervising submarine qualifications of over 50 enlisted personnel were in traditions with the utmost high standard of the United States Navy. These superior duties earned him the title of PCU NEW JERSEY's 2022 Junior Sailor of the Year.
Congratulations to both of these dedicated sailors. Thank you for your service.
First Meal
Several members of the Commissioning Committee were honored to join Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. and crew of the USS NEW JERSEY (SSN 796) for its first meal.
“The first meal is a meaningful milestone in the submarine’s construction as it represents the start of what will be thousands of meals served aboard New Jersey as the crew prepares to bring her into the fleet,” said Jason Ward, NNS vice president of Virginia-class submarine construction. “We understand the important mission ahead for New Jersey and we look forward to delivering this critical asset in service of the nation.”
The menu included some of the crew’s voted favorites, such as barbecue brisket, baked catfish, cornbread, accompanying side dishes, and coveted “hard pack” ice cream.
Merchandise
It is time to shop! The official USS NEW JERSEY (SSN 796) online store is now LIVE! Show your support and raise awareness about the upcoming commissioning of the newest NEW JERSEY! Challenge coins, mugs, hats, blankets, and much more (and more to come!!)!!!
As we await the official announcement regarding the date and location of the commissioning, we can start getting excited about this historic event and the week of activities that lead up to it.
The commissioning is the final (and most special) of the ceremonial events that mark the construction of any new ship. The event itself, as well as impact on the crew, is described in detail on our social media posts dated July 12th.
This particular commissioning will have the added appeal of recognizing the State of New Jersey (for which it's named) and honoring the legacy of the two previous ships named NEW JERSEY, BB-16 and BB-62
The commissioning ceremony is the culmination of a week honoring the crew, the boat, the state, and its people. In a word, it's about celebration. Let's review the week:
Early in the week - the crew works with the state and local communities.Community service projects, public relation (outreach) events, and group tours fill up the day. The crew enjoys New Jersey hospitality.
Families arrive mid-week, and our focus expands to celebrating the efforts of the crew and their families. These people form the backbone of the ship.
Dignitaries, officials, major sponsors, and others join the celebrations on Friday.A series of carefully planned events will allow these people to honor the submarine and crew.
The commissioning ceremony is always on a Saturday morning. It is open to the "registered" public. ;Keep watch for instructions on how to register. Following the ceremony there is a reception for all, and a chance to tour the submarine.
After departing the port, the submarine and crew will get back to their defined mission: supporting the freedoms that we all enjoy.
Details around the date, location, and specific events are "in development." We will communicate information as it evolves. ;Stay tuned!
Namesake Visit
As introduced in our first newsletter, crew visits allow us to support the Navy's "Namesake Program" by bringing the crew to New Jersey. They learn about New Jersey (its history, its culture, its trademarks) and residents get to meet the submarine sailors who are serving our country. Over 100 crew members have participated in ten trips to date.
The crew is coming back in August! Eight sailors, led by STMC(ss) Keith Cameron (Chief of the Boat) will experience the southern part of the state, centered around the Atlantic City Air Show.
Numerous events will fill an action-packed schedule, including:
Youth outreach - visits to the Boys and Girls Club and the Egg Harbor Township Police Activities League.
Public Outreach - meet the crew at:
Our booth at the Air Show - Aug 16th from 11 to 3
An event at the Millville Army Air Museum - Aug 15th from 5 to 7
Military related items, including
A tour of the submarine's big sister - BB-62
A tour and "meet and greet" at DC Fabricators in Florence - a contractor who has contributed to the building of this fine ship.
A session with the NJ National Guard, at the 177th Fighter Wing
There will be pictures and descriptions following this crew visit available on our website and social media platforms.
Thank You to Our Most Recent Donors
DC Fabricators Carol Marquez USAA Cecilia and John Kennedy Anonymous
Greetings! As one of the newest Commissioning Committee members, it is an honor to represent the USS NEW JERSEY (SSN 796) and her crew as we prepare for a fabulous commissioning, one consistent with the importance of the event for the State of New Jersey, the United States Navy, and everyone who has worked diligently to support the construction and the commissioning of the newest Virginia class submarine to join the US Submarine Force.
The Secretary of the Navy is charged with designating sponsors for all United States Navy Ships. Sponsors play a unique role for the Navy. As they christen their ships, bestowing upon the vessel a name chosen by the Secretary of the Navy, they become an integral part of that ship’s history. The crew of the ship may change many times over the course of a ship’s life, but the Sponsor remains the same. The Sponsor’s role is an important one. She will participate in as many of the ceremonial milestones in the life of the ship as possible and her experiences will be memorable.
Several members of the Commissioning Committee were honored to join Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. and crew of the USS NEW JERSEY (SSN 796) for its first meal.
As introduced in our first newsletter, crew visits allow us to support the Navy's "Namesake Program" by bringing the crew to New Jersey. They learn about New Jersey (its history, its culture, its trademarks) and residents get to meet the submarine sailors who are serving our country. Over 100 crew members have participated in ten trips to date.
