Royal Edwin Sheeley born March 8, 1940, Kingston, NY.
After high school graduation From Wallkill Central High School in 1958 Royal went to Orange County Community College (OCCC) in Middletown , NY. Due to a turn down in the economy and loss of summer employment in the summer of 1960 he made the decision to join the military. Based on RES Bio: (Rev) December 8, 2020 2 information from a High School Classmate who was already in the Submarine Force he decided to join the US Navy as a volunteer for Nuclear Propulsion Training and the Submarine Force. Lieutenant Commander SHEELEY enlisted in the United States Navy in August 1960 as a Nuclear Submarine Engineering Program Trainee. After boot camp he attended Machinist Mate Class ASchool at Naval training Center Great Lakes Ill. After A-School he went to Submarine School in New London CT, after which he reported aboard USS Crevalle AGSS (291) and completed his enlisted qualification in submarines in February 1962 . While on board USS Crevalle he applied for the Naval Enlisted Scientific Education Program (NESEP) and in May 1962 when he reported to Naval Nuclear Power School he was informed that he was selected for the Navy Enlisted Scientific Education Program (NESEP). After a short College Prep refresher program at Naval Prep School, Bainbridge MD, in the Summer of 1962 he reported to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina, where he was a student majoring in Physics and Mathematics from September 1962 until June 1966. During this period he was promoted through the enlisted ranks to Machinist Mate First Class. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in both Physics and Mathematics and a strong academic background in American History and Political Science. In October 1966 he completed Officer Candidate School at Newport, Rhode Island, and received his commission as an Ensign in the United States Navy.
Lieutenant Commander Sheeley's duty assignments included tours as follows: Basic Training Great Lakes, IL; Enlisted Submarine School, Groton, CT; Initial Enlisted Qualification in Submarines as MM 3 (SS) on USS CREVALLE (AGSS-291); Nuclear Power School at Submarine Base Groton CT ; NESEP Student at UNC Chapelhill NC; Officers Candidate School Newport RI; Asst Operations, Officer, USS DOGFISH (SS-350); Student at Officers Submarine School ; Officer Qualification in Submarines and duties as Weapons Officer, USS IREX (SS 482);, Polaris Weapons Officers Course, Damneck VA; Weapons Officer USS THOMAS A. EDISON (SSBN-610) (BLUE Crew); Staff, Commander Submarine Development Group TWO Mk as 48 Torpedo Tactical Development Officer; Poseidon Navigators course Damneck VA; Navigation and Operations Officer, USS BENJAMIN FRANKLIN (SSBN 640) (BLUE Crew); and as Commanding Officer USS WATERFORD (ARD-5). LCdr. Sheeley retired from the US Navy in October 1981 with over 21 Years of service. Lieutenant Commander Sheeley military awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, Enlisted Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Medal, Sea Service Ribbon, and Navy Expert Pistol Marksmanship Medal. Fleet Ballistic Missile Deterrent Patrol Deceive with two gold and two silver stars representing 13 Deterrent patrols, Gold Submarine Officer Submarine Warfare Qualification Pin and Silver Enlisted submarine Warfare Qualification pin. Qualified in submarines both as enlisted and officer.
After retirement in 1981 LCdr Sheeley joined Analysis and Technology Inc. in Stonington, CT, where he was a Submarine Operations and Weapons System Analyst. Working under contract to the Naval Underwater System Command, (NUSC), Newport, RI. developing Submarine Combat Control System Operating Guidelines and training material for the deployment of the Tomahawk Missile Weapons System in the Submartine fleet. Upon retiring from AT&T in 1996, he and his wife Susan moved to Poultney, VTY where he became a substitute teacher at Poultney HS teaching Physics, Chemistry, Biology, general science, math and history.
He joined the Crippen Fellows Post #50 in Bomoseen VT, where he served in vsrious positions including post commander and adjutant for several years.
Department Commander 2009-2010; Al;ternate NEC 2011-2013 and National Executive Committeeman 2013-2015.
Member of the Vermont State Guard 2001-2008. 2007 promoted to Colonel as the 2d Battalion Commander stationed in Rutland.
Director of the Rutland County Community Emergence Response Team (CERT); Rutland County Emergency planning committee.
Organizations: VFW, Pawcatuck, CT; Green Mt Base, US Submarine Veterans Inc (Commander); Military Officers Assoc. of America; National Sojourners of Masonic Veterans organization.
