Bill Nowicki

Submarine Sea Stories | Ever wonder what it's like to spend the cold war under water with 100 other guys?

Arts EN ↓ 64 episodes

During the height of the cold war when Ronald Regan called the Soviet Union the evil empire, Bill Nowicki was in the Navy. He was a nuclear-trained electrician's mate aboard the Los Angeles class fast attack submarine, the USS Minneapolis / St. Paul (SSN 708) with 100 highly trained shipmates. These are the memories of those difficult (and sometimes hilarious) times told by the men who depended on one another for their lives.

Author

Bill Nowicki

Category

Arts

Podcast website

www.nowickimedia.com

Latest episode

Aug 11, 2025

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Episodes

EP38: 2nd grade detention to striker, Tim Sullivan 27.08.2015

Tim Sullivan was an outlier.  He went against his parent's wishes and joined the Navy on a whim.  He became a striker, which means he started painting the boat.  In fact he painted his name on the fairwater plane and really made a name for himself. Checkout Tim's book on Amazon!   Hot Run by T. Steven Sullivan Tim Sullivan Diver Let's get together! Tim and his family today

EP37: Jersey boy submariner and Sub Vets National Commander, Tom Conlon 11.01.2015

Tom Conlon was born and raised in the garden state of New Jersey. As a boy, submarine TV shows excited him so he joined the sub service when he was old enough. While never good in school, Tom found he loved learning from his shipmates.  He served as a torpedoman aboard the USS James K. Polk and the Francis Scott Key and was discharged in 1973 after 7 years of service. After the Navy, he continued...

EP36: Sonar dog fighter and listening to the ice 18.12.2014

Andrew Fletcher went three years in college and freaked out when he had $5,000 in debt.  He ended up joining the Navy and trained as a Sonarman, one of the most important jobs on the boat (read Hunt for Red October if you don't believe me). Andrew discusses why surface ships ARE targets for submarines and some cool stuff you may not know about the noisy ocean. I know you will enjoy this episode! F...

EP35: Women in a snake ranch and smoke boat sister, Nancy Yockey Bonar 05.12.2014

Nancy Yockey Bonar became fascinated with submarines thanks to her brother, Captain Harry Yockey.  You'll love Nancy's explanation of submarine living is like when compared to a 3 bedroom house with 135 house guests! Tee Shirt to help the show and look cool doing it. Nancy Yockey Bonar Getting underway with number 10 cans Some of Harry Yockey's exploits. Captain Harry Yockey

EP35: Message from Bill and some great old episodes 21.11.2014

Bill provides some information on upcoming episodes and new initiative to help vets! Transitioning Vets Checkout some funny previous episodes: Clayton Wetzel, Surviving on Popcorn Jody Durham, Billion Dollar Boat Driver Rory Buchanan, Grapefruit Fighter Mike Reed, Pulling a String Bob Burchfield, Hawaiian Special Enjoy!

EP34: Boston native, submariner, tank guy and detective 13.11.2014

Ken Westhaver grew up in the tough streets of South Boston.  He wanted to be on a submarine so bad he could feel it.  Thrown aboard the Minneapolis / St. Paul was the beginning of a career that took him to the Constitution (Old Ironsides), a tank and finally to the Boston Police where he currently serves as a detective. Enjoy this fun filled interview. One of Boston's finests! Proudly displaying h...

EP33: Submariner, A-Gang Chief, and Former Knucklehead Cage Fighter 07.11.2014

Darryl Jackson grew up on the tough streets of Newark, New Jersey.  He was a standout athlete in school, but ended up in trouble with the Navy being a great choice to avoid possible jail time.  He had a few rough years, but with good mentors, he turned it all around.  A sailor of the year and quick learner and made chief and now mentors troubled sailors and his future looks brighter than ever.  He...

EP32: Active duty chief, submariner and submarine rescuer 31.10.2014

Raul Robles is a chief on a mission.  He has 15 years serving aboard fast attack submarines and deep submergence rescue vehicles.  Raul balances his work and home life with his wife, Amy Robles and their 3 year old daughter. Amy has a popular blog womanenriched.com and a podcast, The Family Knot , targeted toward military spouses.   Daddy's little girl USS Mystic Chief Robles and Amy

EP31: Adapt, improvise and overcome: an ET story 24.10.2014

Mike Fieser is a winner.  Besides being and Nuc ET and now a photographer, he won a radio contest to guess his profession.  He came up with the ET version of another day at the office.  Mike reads the winning entry and tells you what it all means… Mike Fieser today  

EP30: RADM Chuck Beers, Captain my Captain, where did the butter go? 17.10.2014

Radm Chuck Beers (retired) was a submariner as his dad before him.  He eventually became the commanding officer of the USS Minneapolis / St. Paul, SSN 708.  He discusses Starve X 1985, the Butter Liberation Front and the new Virginia Class Subs. Dolphin Scholarships (must have served 8 years on submarine service and qualified) Rear Admiral Beers Chuck Beers, his wife and son the aviator  

EP29: The lean submariner and coach, Bob MacPherson 10.10.2014

Bob MacPherson is the Lean Submariner , he know efficiency!.  He started out as a submariner by chance and did not put in his best effort – to start.  After leaving and having the steel industry collapsing in Pennsylvania, he re-joined the Navy and chose to make the most of it.  He ended up as a warrant officer and helped a large group of people change their lives for the better. His favorite and...

EP28: We've dated for 3 weeks, let's get married and have 4 kids! 02.10.2014

Kurt Jarrio, a 20 year submariner was a hard partying, somewhat crazy plankowner aboard the USS Minneapolis / St. Paul.  He was tied up by robbers, robbed again outside a pizza place.  He landed his wife after just a few days meeting her back in the 80's.  They are still together with 4 successful kids who each have served or are serving in the military. Great guy, great family, great American (an...

EP27: Scamp Smells, Saturn Bologna and Barking Squids 26.09.2014

Rich Hust grew up scared he was going to end up in Vietnam doing something he might not like.  Instead, after leaving jail, he walked into the Navy recruiter's office and signed up.  That night, he left for boot camp and started his Navy career.  The Scamp was his first designation.  Rich gives some vivid details on the sights and more importantly smells of this water restricted boat.  WARNING, if...

EP26: First Naval Academy grad and Sub Captain 18.09.2014

Dave Butler grew up in a small town in Louisiana.  By a twist of fate, he was handed a Naval Academy appointment.  As a midshipman, he was first assigned to a surface ship and thought better of it.  He ended up on a diesel submarine and never looked back.  Dave relives his career including his influences, challenges and triumphs. Dave back in the day. USS Minneapolis St. Paul, SSN 708 launch. Dave...

EP25: Boomer sailor sleeping between the missile tubes 12.09.2014

Rich Damm was born and raised on Long Island and decided to join the Navy.  He spent several years working as a ballistic missile tech and transitioned to become a successful entrepreneur and owner of 636solutions a tech company that caters to small businesses. 636 Solution's logo Off crew party   Rich and his family today

EP24: Tank commander, wine taster and entrepreneur 05.09.2014

John Colley is a boarding school and Cambridge University graduate who became a tank commander. He went into finance and eventually became a entrepreneur and the Six Minute Strategist. Lt Colley Troop Huntsman John Colley today   http://jbdcolley.com/   Veterans resource. http://jbdcolley.com/olp019/

EP23: Kicked out after 30 years! Fred the Nuc (FTN) talks about his storied career 28.08.2014

Fred T. Needham (FTN) joined the nuclear Navy way back and saw a lot of changes over the years.  He met his wife and got engaged in a week.  After 30 years of service he was forced to retire.  Fred talks about the FTN fan club, why submarines are the best, and what he thinks about women on submarines. FTN Fan Club Fred's retirement ceremony

EP22: Wooden wheels and iron men, Bear Claw and Jaws, eating shark and crash dives 22.08.2014

David Helms grew up in a large family in Nebraska.  Being a ballistic missile submarine sailor was his dream since he was in the 6th grade.  He got his chance after almost failing out — twice.  Then the real adventures began, eating shark shot by a machine gun and surviving a crash dive after a shipmate lost it. All in a day's work. USS Henry L. Stimson, SSBN 655 USS Henry L. Stimson, SSBN 655 Dav...

EP21: Fish battering, horse racing and playing golf on a British sub 08.08.2014

Wedding day Steve Norman is a British guy who looks back at his time on the sub as a great time.  The people, the mission, he misses it all.   Family grams Steve Norman is a British guy who looks back at his time on the sub as a great time.  The people, the mission, he misses it all. Steve's grandad John.       Mess Dinner menu HMS Victorious leaving snowy Scotland. Steve today at the submarine mu...

EP 20: Yeoman, author and actor 01.08.2014

Gannon McHale grew up in New England.  He attended great schools but decided to enlist in the Navy to avoid the Vietnam draft.  He served aboard USS and lived to tell many tales and captured them in a book, Stealth Boat which chronicles his time on USS Sturgeon. Gannon McHale is now a New York City based character actor who has worked on Broadway, in Regional Theatres, Tours, TV and Film, includin...

EP19: Russian submariner on the show! 25.07.2014

Nikolay Teplyakov went on his first submariner at the age of three.  He eventually became a chief engineer.  Nikolay discusses daily life aboard a Russian ballistic missile submarine and a submariner's true enemy, the sea. International Submariners Association http://www.isausa.org/ Chief Engineer of the Tula (K-114), Nikolay Teplyakov

EP18:Ho, Ho, Ho, I'm escaping a submarine 18.07.2014

Dave Bowman grew up in Oklahoma but was hooked to joined the Navy when he was taught to sail as a youngster.  Eventually he found his first love, the USS Michigan and as you know, you never forget your first love. Grip and grin Dolphin Ceremony Beauty Contest master of ceremony Dave Bowman today

EP17: Bubbleheaded Lawyer 11.07.2014

Tom Weiss grew up in Michigan and was of age during the Vietnam War.  He joined the Navy like his Dad before him.  After joining, he missed Woodstock (too tired, his buddies went), failed his electronic tech school but kept on going.  He ended up on the submarine the USS Gurnard and received his dolphins a few days before he was discharged.  Those dolphins sit on his law office desk, one of his gr...

EP16: An Airdale with the heart of a submariner 04.07.2014

Airdale friends, Tony Martin, Mark Carter and Brian Janssen Dad's retirement with the family: Steve, Mark and John Carter from left to right Mark Carter spent 20 years stalking submarines in an airplane.  But, like his dad before him, he loved submarines and was made an honorary submariner after spending a week on board a sub standing a sonar tech watch.   Mark Carter, submarine hunter Mark Carter...

EP15: An officer and a gentleman (part 2) 27.06.2014

Dana McIntosh continues his interview and discusses a water in the people tank problem and what it is like being an ex submariner.

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