Navy veteran recalls working in submarine during Vietnam War

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) — Tom Schoening, a Navy veteran, shared his story of working in a submarine during the Vietnam War.

Schoening enlisted into the Navy in 1968. He went through two years of school to train for his position.

“I was a reactor plant mechanical operator,” Schoening said. “It’s a big long term for the guy who ran the engine room and helped turn all that steam into electricity and propulsion power to make the submarine go.”

During Schoening’s work in the submarine, he and his crew were sent to Vietnam to protect the surrounding U.S. fleets in enemy territory.

“Well, when you’re on a submarine and you’re cruising into the water at several hundred feet below the surface, every minute the same, it was six hours, and six hours of a phone booth would be harsh compared to my sleeping area there in my skid,” he said. “And I had to grab two electrical cables and pull up in to get to my sleeping face.”

Schoening expressed his dislike for being in a small submarine, but he still manages to find humor in the situation.

“That’s how tight quarters were,” Schoening said. “Learned to sneeze sideways because of my sneeze. Straight up. I hit my head on my reading light. So I had to learn to sneeze sideways in my sleep. And I found submarine life a little confining.”

Schoening completed more than four years with his fleet. After his time in the Navy, he switched careers to photography. Schoening is now retired and spends his free time getting involved in the community and spending time in nature.

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