Qualifying as Diving Officer of the Watch

While leading communications aboard USS GEORGIA, Nathan pursued and completed qualification as Diving Officer of the Watch. In that role, he managed the submarine's ship-control team to maintain the ordered course, depth, and speed. He also directed adjustments to the ship's trim—its neutral buoyancy—to account for changes in speed, depth, water temperature, and ocean salinity. The qualification expanded his responsibility beyond his primary technical specialty and demonstrated disciplined decision-making, team coordination, and willingness to master a complex operational domain.

While serving as Communications Division Chief aboard USS GEORGIA, Nathan pursued qualification as Diving Officer of the Watch, an operational role outside his primary communications specialty.

The qualification required Nathan to master a complex, high-consequence operational domain and lead the ship-control team in maintaining ordered course, depth, speed, and trim as conditions changed.

Nathan studied the underlying systems and operating principles, trained through the qualification process, practiced disciplined decision-making, and learned to direct ship-control adjustments for changes in speed, depth, water temperature, and ocean salinity.

Leadership growth often requires moving beyond one’s established specialty. Cross-domain qualification builds broader judgment, greater empathy for connected teams, and a stronger understanding of how complex systems respond to changing conditions.