Submariners’ Advocacy Group

We are an association of veteran Submariners, all having earned and received the US Navy designation of “Qualified in Submarines” (SS). All our Board Members, Founders, future Advocates, and first contact associates have been there and done that on US Navy submarines, wherever “there” was and whatever “that” may have been. We have undertaken the arduous Submarine Qualification Program, been tested and tried by our shipmates, and found to be worthy of the moniker “Submariner.”

All advocates of the Submariners’ Advocacy Group (SAG) are committed to being a voice for all of our Brother and Sister US Navy Submariners. Submariners share a very unique bond forged in the depths of the oceans. We cannot adequately describe the experience to those who have never experienced life inside a submarine. Often, some aspects, knowledge, and specifics can never be shared with anyone outside of those who have served in the Silent Service. There is no membership application to fill out. You are eligible to be a part of the SAG because of the Dolphins you wear on your chest, you are “Qualified in Submarines,” you are a Submariner. If you are a Submariner you are automatically included.

SAG will be engaging the services of our future Affiliated Healthcare Professional Partners. These partners will be specialists in diving deeper into health issues that may be associated with our duties onboard US Navy submarines, specifically, Pulmonologists, Cardiologists, Oncologists, Dermatologists, Toxicologists, Ear-Nose-Throat specialists, Neurologists, and more. While these partners may not have served on submarines, SAG will provide them with all the information necessary to assist them in assisting Submariners.

SAG will seek Affiliated Research Partners to analyze the nationwide Submariner Registry and the data collected from US Submariners throughout the nation or wherever they may live. These Research Partners will be institutions with outstanding reputations and world-class research facilities. Further, SAG will be seeking partnerships with Veteran Service Organizations to leverage their services to assist veterans. This will include lobbying to get legislation passed addressing proper VA services, recognition of submarine-connected disabilities, and additional research conducted to better care for and protect all Submariners, both veterans and active duty.

These sound like lofty, “pie in the sky” goals, and they are. Yes, this won’t happen overnight and will require concerted efforts from all of the SAG team, but nothing will stop SAG from becoming the strongest voice on behalf of our Brothers and Sisters who voluntarily served in the US Submarine Force. We are the Elite of the Fleet and deserve elite recognition and services.

Goals

  • To create, publish, and distribute a Veterans Service Officer Reference Guide to Submarine Terms, Equipment, and Chemicals making it available to all Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs) and VA Certified Veteran Service Officers at no cost.
  • To create a nationwide registry of Submariners for health issues and trend analysis.
  • To conduct appropriate research to identify and be able to communicate with all US Navy Submariners, their families, and survivors.
  • To establish working partnerships with VSOs, submarine-related organizations, universities, research institutions, and other identified entities as required to accomplish the Mission, Vision, and Goals of SAG.
  • To solicit and gain support from US Navy submarine commands, and Congressional delegations for the VFW Resolution for the Creation of New Patrol Insignias.
  • To create an electronic library of all research and study materials, Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs), research and study proposals, and all applicable documentation associated with atmospheric contaminants and by-products, nuclear reactor and weapons radiation, and identified connected health concerns.
  • To work with US Congressional delegations on the creation of appropriate submarine-related legislation.
  • To provide services to Submariners, their families, and survivors.

Officers

Chairman / CEO
  • Stanley Martinez
    • Board of Directors / Founder
Secretary / SAG Rep - Pearl
  • Rodney Boucher
    • Board of Directors / Founder
President/Executive Director
  • David Bozarth
    • Board of Directors / Founder
Vice President
  • Jeffrey Eiler
    • Board of Directors / Founder
Vice Chairman
  • Charles Sanders
    • Board of Directors / Founder
Treasurer / CFO
  • Dana Widmayer
    • Board of Directors / Founder
  • Jack Brewer
    • Board of Directors / Founder
  • Randy Engness
    • Board of Directors / Founder
  • Bruce Tarleton
    • Board of Directors / Founder
  • Jerry Lainhart
    • Board of Directors