From Groton grad to Navy submarine commander

If you graduated from Groton High School (GHS) in 1999, you may have known Michael Brown. He played soccer, played in the concert and jazz bands and was a member of both Student Council and National Honor Society before he headed off to Norwich University in Vermont with a full-ride Navy ROTC scholarship.

Brown’s parents, Paul and Nancy Brown, were certainly delighted about that!

Michael earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Norwich in 2003 and graduated as a Gravely Scholar from the Naval War College in 2010 with a master’s degree in national security and strategic studies.

Many will remember Nancy, as she was a primary teacher at Groton Elementary School for 30 years before retiring. Both she and Paul are bursting with pride over Michael’s most recent accomplishment — becoming the commanding officer of the USS Hampton (SSN 767), a Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine homeported at Naval Base Point Loma in San Diego, California.

Michael has been on active duty in the United States Navy for the past 18 years as a career submarine officer. He served on four different submarines, two submarine support staffs and multiple other training and higher headquarters staffs before taking command of the USS Hampton.

“My dad served as a sonar technician on a submarine during the height of the Cold War before attending college and later serving in the Air National Guard for 27 years,” Michael said. “I joined the Navy due to heritage and adventure. My family has a long history of serving and fighting for this country dating back to before the American Revolution. In some ways, it was my sense of duty and heritage that encouraged me to pursue a military career.”

Michael mentioned that all his uncles served in the Navy, his grandfather was a Marine in the South Pacific during World War II, his great-grandfather was a Marine during World War I, and his sister and brother-in-law are both in the Army. But he was never pressured by his family to join the military.

“Ultimately, it was the sense of adventure and wonderment I received listening to the tall tales and sea stories of my elders that cemented my intentions of serving,” Michael said. “I wanted to share in the adventures abroad, and it was my dad’s time in the Navy and his mentorship that led me to join the submarine force.”

Michael explained that the submarine force and nuclear Navy have a strict adherence to robust training, reliance on skilled operators, resilience and expectation of the highest standards associated with the safe operation of nuclear reactors and ships at sea.

“Throughout my career, the Navy has ensured that I maintain formal and practical operational advantage through advanced education and increasing opportunities to lead and mentor sailors,” Michael said.

Michael said his best memory of his service so far was meeting and marrying “a girl I met at Best Buy.”

“I was a division officer on USS Pittsburgh, was bored, went to Best Buy and met a pretty girl in the movie section,” Michael said. “Beth and I chatted. I bought her coffee and eventually got her phone number. I felt like I was the luckiest man in the world.”

A year and a half later, they were married, and Michael said he proposed to Beth via “sailor mail” (submarine force email).

“Beth and I have had the opportunity to travel extensively,” Michael said. “Together, we have been able to visit many destination locations. I have traveled to over 50 countries. A common phrase in the Navy is, ‘Join the Navy, see the world.’ I am a living testament to that, and my wife has been my best friend, adventure companion and my rock.”

Michael is grateful that the Navy has provided his family the ability to explore various cultures. He said he has gained “a newfound sense of pride and duty in what our nation has to offer.”

“There is nothing more important to me than the people I have met on this journey,” Michael said. “The stories and culture they bring with them have helped enrich my own understanding of what is important in life and taught me the value of balance and fulfillment at work and in my personal life. While many serve in the Navy for many different reasons, they all seem to have a common goal of providing for their families and securing a better future, much like me. These friendships we have forged during this journey have made serving all the more worth it. I passionately care about my fellow shipmates, their families and their journey.”

Michael said there is no greater tour in a submarine officer’s career than that of a commanding officer.

“It is an incredible job,” he said. “I am very blessed to be where I am. I could not have done it without the support of my wife and family and the many shipmates I have had the honor to serve alongside throughout the years. Taking command of USS Hampton is the culmination of more than 18 years of hard work, humility, growth and perseverance and formal recognition by the Navy that my dedication is appreciated and my skills are seaworthy.”

Michael is looking forward to training his crew to overcome the obstacles they will face while on deployment and is excited to work with the other components of the Navy and Marine Corps to further advance the Submarine Force’s warfighting capabilities.

“I am honored to mentor and lead the next generation of sailors and commanding officers,” Michael said.

As part of his speech at his Change of Command ceremony as he took command of the USS Hampton, Michael said this:

“To the American people: Like you, Hampton is comprised of individuals from all walks of life, backgrounds and experiences. Though our beliefs and politics may differ, our passion for building a better future for our families is common. Where there is room for compromise in politics, there is no margin for freedom. There is nothing more important to us than peace, which is why we are prepared for war. Few understand the enormous responsibility of operating a naval vessel at sea, especially the challenges of operating a submarine. The commitment, talent and resolve of the Hampton crew should give you a sense of peace and make our adversaries wary. We are warriors of the deep — we are Hampton men.”

“As Michael’s parents, Paul and I are so very proud of his tireless efforts and accomplishments as he serves this great nation,” Nancy said.

Groton on the Inside appears every week in Tompkins Weekly. Submit story ideas to editorial@vizellamedia.com or text or call Linda at (607) 227-4922.  

In brief: 
 
Thanks from Scottland Lights and food pantry 

Scottland Lights, the incredible Christmas light show with music that syncs with the lights at the home of John and Beth Scott, 411 Peru Rd., had its last show on Jan. 8 for the 2021 season, and they are already working on some exciting new additions for Christmas 2022!

The Scotts and Jessamine Stone, the Groton Food Pantry (GFP) coordinator, would like to extend their thanks to all who contributed financially to the GFP via the donation box on the right-hand side of the Scotts’ driveway during the light show. The Scotts were delighted to present Stone with a cashier’s check in the amount of $872, which will help provide needed food for many in our community.

Chicken at the Legion 

The Groton American Legion Post 800 will offer its Famous Chicken Barbecue once again Feb. 5 beginning at 10 a.m. until sold out.

Chicken dinners include a half chicken, salt potatoes, baked beans, roll and a brownie for $10. Chicken halves only are $8 each. To pre-order, call (607) 898-3837.

Also at the Legion 

Thursday Grill Nights are from 5 to 7 p.m. and are open to everyone. It’s a nice way to get out and enjoy a reasonably priced meal, prepared and served by volunteers, with all profits going to the post.

Regular menu items include Hoffman’s hot dogs, hot or sweet Italian sausage with peppers and onions, and Angus sirloin hamburgers or cheeseburgers. Other offerings, such as chicken or pork sliders, rotate on different weeks, as do the side dishes. They might be French fries, salt potatoes, casseroles, soups and more. Desserts are also available and are different each week. Main dishes range from $3 to $6; desserts and sides are $2 each.