About Us
Vision Statement
Bring together the people of the great State of Idaho and the Officers and Crew of the USS IDAHO to celebrate in exemplary fashion the extraordinary honor of having a ship of the line named for the state. Create a bond between the people of Idaho and the sailors of the submarine that will last throughout the life of the ship and beyond. Recognize with great honor, the men and women that have served and will serve throughout the history of the land we now call Idaho.
Esto Perpetua
Mission Statements
Serve as the State’s agent for the planning, preparation, funding and conduct of traditional and celebratory lay down, christening and commissioning activities under the guidelines of the Secretary of the Navy.
Plan and conduct a statewide outreach of social, informative and educational activities to create the bond between the people of Idaho and those who serve in defense of our great state and nation on the USS IDAHO.
Identify and implement a sustainable program so that the crews of the USS IDAHO, from the first crew to all future crews, see tangible ongoing support from the people of Idaho to the crew and families.

We are responsible for any habitability improvements aboard the submarine to make the long and isolated missions more comfortable, better quality of life and to improve the aesthetics. All to reflect IDAHO's beauty, spirit and culture for the crew and all visitors that may tour the submarine over its life.
We also have specific roles and responsibilities related to the boat's christening and of course the commissioning into the fleet - the highlight of any Navy warship's life. We expect to host several events during the week of commissioning ranging from 150 to 1,500 participants, depending on the event.
One of our priorities is to fund, through the existing Dolphin Scholarship Foundation, some educational assistance scholarships for the sailors or their dependents in order to demonstrate our gratitude and tangible support of their sacrifice.
With our small and widespread population, we may not have the fundraising advantage compared with commissioning committees in other states with large populations. But this is Idaho, where great things happen. We're being creative and preparing a broad campaign in each of Idaho’s regions. We have a budget and fundraising target of more than $500,000 by the time the USS IDAHO is commissioned.
Thank you again for your interest in the USS IDAHO Commissioning Foundation, the Commissioning Committee and our work. I hope you will feel free to share this website with others who may be interested in helping us ensure that crews of the USS IDAHO, now and in the future, know that we are with them as they represent Idaho’s courage, values, history and culture in defense of our nation. And please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.
USS IDAHO News
Idaho Public Television to examine 'Idaho's Nuclear Navy'
November 30th, 2023
This year marks the Naval Reactors program's 75th anniversary — Aug. 4 marked the actual birthday — which launched as a joint Department of Navy and Department of Energy organization responsible for all aspects of the Navy’s nuclear propulsion. The history of Idaho's Nuclear Navy at the Department of Energy's desert site west of Idaho Falls dates to the program's inception. Construction on the nuclear propulsion plant prototype S1W at the Naval Reactors Facility began in 1950. The S1W served as the prototype for the first nuclear-powered submarine, the USS Nautilus (SSN 571), according to the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program. The USS Nautilus first went to sea in 1955.
PCU IDAHO Is a Whole Ship
October 25th, 2023
PCU IDAHO (SSN 799) is a whole ship. The crew and Electric Boat shipyard workers are celebrating their accomplishment of getting all of the sections connected in October 2023.
Idaho Public Television's Idaho Experience Will Air Documentary on Idaho's Nuclear Navy on Dec. 3, 2023. Premieres in Idaho Falls on Nov. 30.
October 12th, 2023
Idaho Public Television reporter Aaron Kunz is producing a documentary on the development -- and retirement -- of three nuclear propulsion prototypes A1W, S1W, and S5G that were developed for submarines at the Naval Reactors Facility (NRF). Click here to watch the preview.
USS IDAHO Events
USS IDAHO Christening Information
August 25th, 2023
Please complete short survey to let us know if you are considering attending the christening and what factors may affect your decision.
USS IDAHO Change of Command Ceremony
December 1st, 2022
USS IDAHO Will Welcome a New Commander to its Pre-Commissioning Unit Commander Randall Leslie to take the helm from Commander Nicholas Meyers
Advisory Board

Chairman
Advisory Board

Vice Chairman
Advisory Board

Chairman - Corporate Fundraising "SUB" Committee

Chairman - Audit "SUB" Committee

Chairman
Crew and Family Support "SUB" Committee

US Navy (ret)


US Navy (ret)

US Navy (ret)


US Navy (ret)


US Navy (ret)


US Navy (ret)


US Navy (ret)

US Air Force (ret)


US Air Force (ret)


US Navy (ret)


US Navy (ret)


US Navy (ret)

US Navy (ret)

Crew/Family Support SUB Committee
US Navy (ret)


Crew/Family Support SUB Committee
US Navy (ret)


Corporate Fundraising "SUB" Committee


Corporate Fundraising "SUB" Committee

Corporate Fundraising "SUB" Committee

Corporate Fundraising "SUB" Committee

Corporate Fundraising "SUB" Committee

Corporate Fundraising "SUB" Committee

Public Relations Official

Corporate Fundraising "SUB" Committee

Corporate Fundraising "SUB" Committee



Commissioning Committee
Foundation Board of Directors

Chairman of the Board
Co-Founder
CAPT US Navy (ret)


Treasurer
CDR, US Navy Veteran


Secretary
Co-Founder
Fire Control Technician Ballistic Second Class (FTB2), US Navy Veteran


North Idaho Regional Chair
Captain US Navy (ret)

Southwest Idaho Regional Chair
Musician Second Class (MU2) US Navy Veteran MU2

Southeast Idaho Regional Chair

General Counsel
SSGT US Marine Corps Veteran

Chairman Emeritus
Co-Founder
LCDR US Navy (ret)

Vice Chairman
Open
Southcentral Idaho Regional Chair
Open
Executive Committees
Marketing & Public Affairs Committee

Public Affairs Committee Chair
Joel Kennedy
Social Media
LCDR US Navy (ret)


Public Affairs Officer
Col USAF (ret)

Historian
Merchandise Manager
Electricians Mate Nuclear First Class (EM1) US Navy Veteran


Rick Gilchrist
Newsletter Contributor
CAPT US Navy (ret)
Planning Committee

Don Curry
Chairman Planning Committee
EMC US US Navy (ret)


Jim McMahon
Vice Chair Planning Committee
CDR US Navy (ret)
Membership Committee
Chair Membership CommitteeOpen
Brett Blethen
Vice Chair Membership Committee
Maj US Air Force (ret)
Fundraising Committee
Chair Fundraising CommitteeOpen
Finance Committee

Chairman Finance Committee
LCDR US Navy Veteran

Regional Committees
North Idaho

North Idaho Regional Chair
Captain US Navy (ret)

South Central Idaho
Tony Kevan
Vice Chair Southcentral Idaho Region
South West Idaho
Southwest Idaho Regional Chair
Musician Second Class (MU2) US Navy Veteran MU2
Bob Brady
Vice Chair Southwest Idaho Region
Lieutenant US Navy veteran

Ron Dale
Treasurer Southwest Idaho Region
South East Idaho

Southeast Idaho Regional Chair

Vice Chair SE Region
Captain US Navy (ret)


Vice Chair Central Area SE Region
Captain US Navy (ret)

Vice Chair Southern Area SE Region
EMC (ss) US Navy (ret)

Proclamations & Endorsements




Committee Crest
The Crest of the USS IDAHO Commissioning Committee contains icons of the State of Idaho and the US Navy submarine force.
USS IDAHO SSN 799 is the official name and hull number of the future submarine names for Idaho.
The five gold stars represent that this submarine will be the fifth ship to be named USS IDAHO in the history of the navy.
The red, white and blue represent the iconic license plates of the state.
The submarine is depicted sailing on Lake Pend Oreille with the mountains in the background. Lake Pend Oreille is home to Acoustic Research Detachment Bayview, which is the Navy’s Premier Acoustic Laboratory and where the acoustic stealth technology of USS IDAHO was developed.
The outlines of the State and State Seal can be seen on the left and right. The moniker "Gem of the Fleet" comes for the namesake being known as the Gem State for its rich mineral resources and 72 different kinds of precious and semi precious stones that can be found throughout the state.
About the Artist
Nicole Hulse is a sophomore at Idaho State University. She plans to get her Bachelor's in Business Administration at ISU and currently double majors in marketing and management. As a marketing intern at ISU's College of Business, she also designs promotional material as well as run the college's blog. In between full-time school and work, Nicole enjoys creating art as a hobby and gets commissions from those who would like to buy her paintings. Her grandfather, Electricians Mate Chief Donald Hulse, served on six submarines during his 20-year navy career.
Contact Us
USS IDAHO Commissioning Foundation Inc.
PO Box 6077
Boise ID 83708