Submarine Radiomen — Radiomen qualified in submarines (RM(SS)) — served aboard diesel-electric and nuclear-powered submarines throughout the Cold War, operating the very low frequency (VLF) receiving systems, high frequency (HF) transmitting systems, and communication equipment that kept submerged submarines in contact with fleet command. RM(SS) ratings worked in the submarine radio room — a confined space within the submarine pressure hull — monitoring communication circuits, copying traffic, and maintaining the radio equipment during submarine patrols. Submarine Radiomen working in radio room spaces aboard submarines constructed during the WWII and Cold War eras accumulated sustained background asbestos exposure from the asbestos-containing pipe insulation and interior construction materials in the radio room and adjacent crew spaces of submarines built during the period when asbestos was standard submarine construction material.

Submarine Radio Room Asbestos

RM(SS) ratings in submarine radio rooms accumulated sustained asbestos exposure:

  • Radio room pipe insulation and interior construction — the radio room spaces aboard WWII-era fleet submarines and early Cold War conventional submarines (SS class) and nuclear submarines commissioned in the 1960s and early 1970s were constructed within the submarine pressure hull using asbestos-containing pipe insulation on the radio room utility systems and asbestos-containing interior construction materials in the radio room overhead and bulkhead construction. RM(SS) ratings working watch-on-watch in the confined submarine radio rooms accumulated sustained background asbestos exposure from the asbestos-containing radio room construction throughout their submarine assignments
  • Submarine interior construction throughout hull — the submarines aboard which submarine Radiomen served — WWII fleet submarines, Guppy conversions, Barbel class conventional submarines, and early nuclear submarines — incorporated asbestos-containing interior construction materials throughout the submarine pressure hull. Submarine Radiomen living and working aboard submarines constructed with asbestos-containing interior materials accumulated background asbestos exposure from the submarine construction in the crew berthing, mess, and working spaces in addition to the radio room space

Submarine Communication System Electronics

RM(SS) ratings maintaining submarine communication electronics encountered asbestos insulation:

  • VLF receiving system electrical insulation — the VLF (very low frequency) receiving systems used by submerged submarines to receive fleet communications incorporated electrical components and wiring with insulation materials consistent with the electronics manufacturing period. RM(SS) ratings performing maintenance on submarine VLF communication systems encountered electrical insulation materials in the communication system electronics during maintenance operations
  • HF transmitter system electrical insulation — the HF radio transmitters used by submarines when surfaced or at periscope depth incorporated electrical wiring and component insulation materials consistent with mid-twentieth century electronics manufacturing. Submarine Radiomen performing transmitter maintenance encountered electrical insulation materials in submarine HF transmitter systems during maintenance

VA Claims for Submarine Radiomen

VA presumptive service connection under 38 CFR § 3.309(d) covers asbestos exposure from Navy submarine service. Submarine Radiomen who served aboard submarines constructed with asbestos-containing interior materials and have since been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or asbestos-related lung cancer may qualify for VA disability benefits.