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(eight awards)
The Strategic Deterrent Patrol Pin is awarded to all sailors who perform a strategic nuclear deterrent patrol onboard Ballistic Missile Submarines.
The typical deterrent patrol is approximately 60-80 days long.
During the patrol period a ballistic missile submarine remains continually submerged (i.e. underwater), hiding in large expanses of ocean, ready to launch it's missiles upon orders from the President of the United States. Nobody except those onboard the ship know where the ship is! even the pentagon! The Pentagon and the President only know the large block of ocean that the submarine was sent to hide in. The intent is that the submarine remains hidden from any potential enemy which could destroy it prior to launching is nuclear missiles.
Individual stars are added to the pin for each patrol performed.
I have performed 8 patrols with a cumulative time under water of over two years.
Some ballistic missile submariners have spent 12-15 years of their life underwater. My hat is off to these gentlemen.
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