Groton — Sixty-eight officers, Class 15070, graduated from the Submarine Officer Basic Course on Nov. 25.

Cmdr. John Strunk, executive officer at the Naval Submarine School, was the guest speaker.

Ensign Mark Colby received the L. Y. Spear Award and a gold watch in recognition of his overall superior academic performance as the basic course honor graduate.

Ensign Christopher Linich received the Admiral Andrew I. McKee Award, given to the graduate who displays excellence in the submarine systems and diving trainer portions of the course and who demonstrates superior performance in the areas of submarine design and safety.

Ensign Ethan Scully was recipient of the Naval Submarine League Tactical Excellence Award for achieving the greatest understanding of target motion analysis (TMA) as measured by demonstrated proficiency in plotting mechanics and fire control system operation.

The Submarine Officer Basic Course is ten weeks in length and teaches officers the theory, instruction and operation of nuclear-powered submarines.

In preparation for their first submarine assignment, officers receive intensive instruction in areas including shipboard organization, damage control, submarine safety and escape procedures, submarine weapons, fire control and sonar systems in order to be a fully contributing member of a ship's wardroom from the day they report aboard.