Hi everyone, today is Tuesday, July 27th (date recorded). This Saturday we will celebrate the christening of PCU 795, the Hyman G. Rickover. As a reminder, we’ll be webcasting the ceremony live on our external EB website beginning about 9:30 a.m.
Today on the podcast it is my pleasure to introduce a very special guest—and only the second person who’s ever joined the podcast who is not an EB employee—the Ship Sponsor for Rickover, Mrs. Darleen Greenert. Welcome to the podcast Darleen, and thank you for giving us the opportunity to speak with you informally before the christening ceremony this weekend.
DG: Well it’s great to have this opportunity. I really appreciate it; it’s good to be here. Thank you.
To start, I’d like to thank you for your service to our country. You’ve been a part of the military, specifically the Navy, in a variety of roles for the last 42 years as a veteran and as a Navy spouse. Let’s talk about the path of your career.
DG: I was a school teacher by trade and just wanted something different. I tried my hand at officer training school and got through it—I’m surprised sometimes! First duty station brought me out to Hawaii. It was really great to be out there. Jon (Admiral and former Chief of Naval Operations Jonathan Greenert) and I have had three tours there, so to go back to Hawaii is always a dream. I met Jon out there, and just appreciated the opportunity to meet a submariner. Being from Michigan, I hadn’t even seen a submarine; that was unique for me. We were able to get together and make it work for 40 years now.
Congratulations on your time in service to our country and on 40 years of marriage to Admiral Greenert. We very much are honored by you being the sponsor for Rickover. Our employees got to know you better through your remarks at the Rickover keel laying ceremony back in 2018. If you would, please share your perspective about the role our shipbuilders play in keeping our nation and our sailors safe.
DG: Kevin, thank you for this opportunity. I get emotional; I don’t remember all of what I said back then, but I’ve been told that my message got out there. I have to share something with your audience that today I am a new grandmother. Our granddaughter Willow was born to my oldest son Jonathan in Italy where he and his wife and family are serving. It’s those opportunities—without their father, if your shipbuilders had not built the incredible submarines that he has been on, I wouldn’t be here saying that I have a beautiful granddaughter. We wouldn’t be the family that we are. The submarine that your shipbuilders build carries family in and out for decades. I can’t overestimate that—for decades, in and out, moves into an area, moves out of an area. But when they go down deep, that’s a lost horizon to most of us. I think we know more about people who go out in space than we do about those who serve underneath on submarines. I just can’t thank them enough for the little things they do to make sure that my husband and my family are safe. And then I can expand it to the rest of the submarine force and their families. I just can’t say how grateful I am to have an opportunity to share that.
I think there’s an enormous amount of pride and patriotism in the work that we do here at Electric Boat. You feel it before you even see it when you come to work here. We’ve got a purpose statement that we live by and that really resonates with me: we deliver the advantage that protects our Sailors, our Families, and our Freedom. You and I feel the same way about the work we do and the importance to our country, to our sailors, of course, and to all of the families who wait for either their sailors or for their shipbuilder to come home from work every day.
Changing subjects to something that is a little sad—as we head into the ceremony this weekend, we were saddened to learn that Mrs. Rickover passed away just a few weeks ago, on July 5th. A tremendous loss just before our ceremony; she was the sponsor for the first submarine named for her husband and said that she thought of the sailors on the 709 as her children. Would you give us any recollections of Mrs. Rickover you wouldn’t mind sharing?
DG: First and foremost, I have big shoes to fill, even though she was a very petite person! Her reputation as a sponsor is unparalleled, unmatched, at least that I know of. I did not know Eleonore personally until later on. The story that I’d like to share is classic Eleonore, Mrs. Rickover. When the Secretary asked me to be the sponsor, I turned to Jon and said, “I can’t say yes unless it’s OK with Mrs. Rickover. She’s legacy to me and somebody that I admire. So Jon went to visit her and ask permission, and of course she gave her blessing because that’s what she would do for the families and for the ship. She would do what she felt was best for her submarine, and she’s now given me the opportunity to help her families. When you say things like she felt that they were her children, yes, they were her children for sure. She treated them with love and respect and tried to do as much as she could for them. They say the sponsor is the heart of the submarine; she was the heart of her submarine.
And now you get to be the heart of the 795 Rickover. On Friday, you and your family will tour the boat, and we can’t wait to have you here in the yard. You also have a chance to connect with the crew. Tell us what that means to you and your family.
DG: It is family—I feel like it already. I know their limitations, I know their schedule. The crews have so much to do. You see your spouse, or your father or your mother a little bit less often. My heart is out to those that have their longer hours, their dedication. Those of us that served on submarines and their families have gone through this. They’re in my prayers; I want them to be strong and safe.
Thank you so much for joining us today. We look forward to seeing you on Friday and of course getting the ship christened on Saturday. I will say that the crew of the Rickover is fortunate to have you as their sponsor. For all of us here at Electric Boat, we’re honored to have you as the sponsor of this important submarine. Thank you for joining us Darleen.
DS: Thank you for this opportunity. To all the shipbuilders, please thank each other and your families for your contribution because it makes a difference. It was great to talk to you.
It was great to talk with you as well. That’s all for now everybody; we’ll talk again soon.
One Week Left—Let’s Claim the Torch! AHA Eastern Connecticut Heart Walk: Final Countdown
We are just one week away from the 2026 AHA Eastern Connecticut Heart Walk on October 3, 2026, at UConn Avery Point and this is our moment to finish strong. We’ve built incredible momentum, and now we’re within striking distance of something big. Right now, Electric Boat is holding second place, behind Mohegan Sun by...Continue reading→
803 Section 2B/5 Transported from Quonset Point to Groton
PCU Arizona’s (SSGN 803) Section 2B/5 was successfully delivered to Groton from Quonset Point. At 184 feet in length, this section – which includes the Virginia Payload Module (VPM) – is the largest Virginia-class shipment ever transported. Arizona, the first submarine to incorporate VPM, will be about 460 feet long upon final construction. Section 2B/5...Continue reading→
Remembering September 11
On September 11, 2001, the Twin Towers of downtown Manhattan’s World Trade Center and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., were targeted in a series of coordinated attacks that would leave an everlasting imprint on our country’s psyche. As the events unfolded on that Tuesday morning, nearly 3,000 people lost their lives, over 600 were injured...Continue reading→
EBECSA Celebrates 75 Years — Nominate EB Employees Past and Present for Recognition
This year, the Electric Boat Employees’ Community Services Association (EBECSA) proudly celebrates its 75th anniversary. EBECSA was founded in 1951 by EB employees who wanted to create a dedicated, organized way to support nonprofit health and human service agencies in the communities where we live and work. What began as a small employee‑driven effort has...Continue reading→
Atlas Plaque Unveiled, Honoring Plank Owners at South Yard Ceremony
Employees who have worked on Atlas, EB’s new state-of-the-art floating dry dock, gathered in the South Yard on Wednesday, Aug. 26, to unveil a new bronze plaque recognizing the contributions of its plank owners. The event celebrated the teams who helped bring Atlas from Bollinger Shipyards in Louisiana to its arrival in Groton earlier this year. Atlas will play...Continue reading→
Neighbors Meet with EB to Discuss Noise, Lighting and Other Quality of Life Topics
Nearly twenty neighbors of Electric Boat’s Groton shipyard joined company leaders Aug. 25 for a community conversation focused on their quality‑of‑life concerns related to the South Yard Assembly Building (SYAB) and Atlas, the new floating dry dock. The Mayor of the City of Groton, Jill Rusk, also attended. Residents said they appreciated the chance to talk...Continue reading→
Rayha Report Ep. 26: Waterford Campus Groundbreaking
EB President Mark Rayha reports from the groundbreaking of the new Waterford Campus, where innovation, engineering and workforce development will come together to support our mission. The new facility will help train hundreds of shipbuilders daily as EB continues to grow for future production demands.
Waterford Campus Groundbreaking Marks EB’s Next Step in Innovation and Workforce Growth
Electric Boat officially broke ground Friday on the Waterford Campus, launching the transformation of the former Crystal Mall into a center for innovation, engineering and high‑tech workforce development. EB President Mark Rayha underscored how the project will reshape the way the company designs, tests and builds submarines. Innovation is the key, he said. “There’s an opportunity to...Continue reading→
Powering HeartStrong 50: Thank You, EB Teams—Let’s Keep the Momentum Going!
Thank you to our incredible EB Heart Walk teams, our community partners, and everyone who joined the American Heart Association (AHA) Torch Journey photoshoot. Your enthusiasm and dedication made this milestone truly special. Now let’s keep our HeartStrong 50 energy going—our goal is 50 teams and $50,000 raised for the 2026 AHA Eastern Connecticut Heart Walk on October 3 at UConn Avery...Continue reading→
Speed Cameras to be Installed in the City of Groton
The City of Groton Police Department announced that automated speed enforcement cameras will be installed at several locations throughout the city. The cameras will be installed after the required 30-day public notification period, which began on Aug. 7, 2026. Camera locations: Mitchell Street Thames Street Clarence B. Sharp Highway (Route 349) Police said the purpose...Continue reading→
