Episode 6: Neal Stratham – 60 Days Underwater: Life Inside a Nuclear Submarine

In this episode of So There I Was, Travis sits down with retired Navy veteran Neal Stratham to explore a military career unlike anything most people can imagine. As a nuclear machinist mate aboard the USS Alabama, Neal spent years operating nuclear reactors, living underwater for months at a time, and serving on one of America’s most critical strategic deterrence platforms. Neal shares what life is really like aboard a ballistic missile submarine—from 18-hour workdays and sleeping just feet from missile tubes to spending nearly two months submerged without seeing sunlight. He explains the intense training required to become a nuclear operator, the culture of the submarine force, and why Hollywood rarely gets submarine life right. The conversation also covers: * Serving aboard the USS Alabama * The Navy’s nuclear training pipeline * Life during and after 9/11 * Submarine camaraderie and culture * Recruiting in rural Kansas * Military transition and civilian careers * Mental health and asking for help * Leadership lessons from 21 years of service Packed with humor, perspective, and stories rarely heard outside the submarine community, this episode offers a fascinating look into one of the military’s most unique professions. The post Episode 6: Neal Stratham – 60 Days Underwater: Life Inside a Nuclear Submarine first appeared on Womack C3.