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

EP14: An officer and a gentleman (part 1) 20.06.2014

Dana McIntosh grew up with a Navy chief, World War II submariner.  Dana went the officer root and ended up in an interesting interview with Adm Rickover. Dad's Diary Sea Devil Reunion with Dad Sea Devil Plankowner Dad's Retirement Sea Devil Reunion Group Dana and Lisa Today

EP13: Bill's parachute packing Mom 13.06.2014

Bill's 88 year old Mom discusses family, meeting her husband, packing parachutes in WW2 and her impressions of a sub.  She also tells Bill her favorite podcast episode. Me needing hair tape for my ears Mom and Abby Dad in the 40's Bootcamp Graduation Mom at Coney Island

EP12: Hugging a missile tube while it hocks a loogie 06.06.2014

Ed Andre started out in a divorced family spread out between two states.  He joined the Navy and became a Fire Control Technician Ballistic (FTB)  and the rest is history. Checkout his business: http://www.brevardtechsolutions.com/ Ed's Wedding Having fun. Ed and his wife today

EP11: Saving the boat with a mattress and cutting the captain's hair 30.05.2014

Kevin Stewart cut one too many lawns and joined the Navy just before September 11th.  He learned to navigate the ship and cut the captain's hair in rough seas. Kevin dancing USS Miami, note the fairwater planes are under the water. Kevin today  

EP10: A Shipyard Nest and the Bone Band 23.05.2014

Jeff O'Donnell has his PhD now, but he was once a lowly reactor operator on a boat without a reactor.  He served along with Bill Nowicki, Rory Buchanan, Bob Burchfield and the rest of the crew of the Minneapolis St. Paul. Soccer Team Bone Band Practice Jeff and Kathy O'Donnell today

EP9: A submarine is safer than anywhere 16.05.2014

Harry and Dennis Ostrum grew up in a chaotic family.  Harry and Dennis ended up escaping the chaos by joining the Navy and volunteering for submarines.  It is only then that they felt safe. Harry and Donna     Harry and Dennis today   Checkout this article about Submarine Sea Stories. http://www.voxelectro.com/bill-nowicki-submarine-stories/

EP8: KGB stalker and drunk on grapes 09.05.2014

Steve Hallquist loves everything submarines. He shares some of his many stories from his time aboard submarines during the height of the Cold War including his encounter with a KGB agent.     USS Shark SSN 591 hat modified to describe frustration with equipment failures Shark leaving Toulon, France     Steve Hallquist today

EP7: Boomers, noisy shrimp and cleaning torpedo tubes 02.05.2014

Gordon Allen told his parents at 23 he was joining the Navy after reading Hunt for Red October.  This decision was met with "restrained disappointment", but Gordon never looked back. USS Georgia trident missel launch Gordon after getting out of the tube. Gordon and Alicia Allen today.   Covert Sailors on Amazon. https://www.nowickimedia.com/covert sailors

EP6: Shipyard Pizza Thrower and Hawaiian License Plates 25.04.2014

Bob Burchfield grew up in rust belt and decided to go into the Navy and volunteered for submarines to be unique.  His first days in the shipyard and his time on the sub were a whirlwind of craziness and fun you are sure to enjoy. Don't Miss an Episode! Subscribe Below: Using something else? Copy this address: ––– https://www.nowickimedia.com/feed/podcast/ –––

EP 5: Permission to bang and dragging string 18.04.2014

Mike Reed is British and was on a diesel and nuclear sub and enjoyed the diesel more.

EP4: Fighting about cutting a grapefruit 12.04.2014

Rory Buchanan grew up in California, lost his Dad and was set adrift. He found the navy and the nuclear program and he credits it with saving his life.  Rory is in the front middle (Bill is just behind him to the left with the mustache). Rory Buchanan today  

EP3: Swimming With Sharks and Hating Fresh Air 06.04.2014

Bill Nowicki grew up in a large family listening to his Dad talk about the Navy.  After a year working at Friendly's, Bill decided it was time to join the Navy.   Submarine breaking through the ice. http://inspiring-innovation.com Meron Bareket's free Podcast Bootcamp!

EP2: Billion Dollar Boat Driver 03.04.2014

Jody Durham grew up in a small town in East Texas. He listened to his Dad and Grandfather talk about their time in the  Navy and the action they witnessed.  He was fascinated by it, and decided to join the Navy himself during the Cold War. USS Los Angeles   Three Generations of Service   Some of Jody's submarine brothers Second place scraggliest beard contest

EP1: Family Grams and Popcorn 31.03.2014

Clayton Wetzel talks about his reasons for joining the Navy and volunteering for submarines.    He relives what he went through and some stories like: becoming a Blue Nose (crossing the arctic circle for the first time), running out of food, steering the boat and a bunch of other topics.        

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