April 22, 2024
Dwayne Smalls is our newest Veteran of the Week!
Sonar Technician Submarines First Class (SS) Dwayne Smalls is the son of a Navy Veteran. He grew up and attended public schools in Hollywood, SC. He entered the U.S. Navy in 1990 and after completing recruit training, he attended Basic Enlisted Submarine School (BESS) at Naval Submarine Base New London, CT before completing Sonar Technician Submarine “A” and “C” Schools in San Diego, CA.
STS1(SS) Smalls was assigned to USS Hammerhead SSN-663 in Naval Station Norfolk. While there, he completed the personal submarine qualification program that culminates in being designated as “Qualified in Submarines” – earning the right to wear the coveted Silver Dolphins Insignia and take on all the responsibilities that go with it. After decommissioning, he transferred to USS Phoenix SSN-702. When he finished his sea tour, he attended Sonar Technician AN/BQQ-6 “C” school at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, GA before reporting to USS West Virginia SSBN-736(G). Upon completion of this sea tour, he returned to New London, CT for instructor duty. While there he was selected to teach instructor training. During this time, he qualified as a Master Training Specialist (MST) Instructor. As an instructor, he taught, developed, and qualified those individuals who possessed advanced knowledge, skills, and abilities that enhanced the delivery of quality education and training in the Navy. He then reported to USS Boise SSN-764 where he was assigned as the Command Career Counselor, Ship and Department Training Officer and LPO for the Sonar division. As a collateral duty he was also selected as the 1st Lieutenant and supervised Deck Division. Under his leadership, the ship was awarded the Deck Seamanship White “D” Award, the Golden Anchor Retention Excellence Award, and completed multiple deployments culminating with a 7-month deployment where the submarine surfaced at the North Pole.
STS1(SS) Smalls' final duty station was Naval Ocean Processing Facility (NOPF) Dam Neck, VA where he was awarded Senior Sailor of the Quarter and was on the dean’s list while earning his associate degree in Supervision and Management. After retirement, he moved back home to SC and completed his BS in Human Services and MS in Community Counseling Psychology. He has worked as a Behavior Modification Specialist and Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor.
Smalls currently works at One80 Place as the Veteran Outreach Coordinator. One80 Place is a non-profit organization, in partnership with the VA, which provides housing services and assistance to end Veteran homelessness. In this role, he conducts outreach activities and provides community-based case management to homeless Veterans and families.
In his spare time, he can often be found volunteering at his church and at local civic events in his community. He enjoys traveling, reading, spending time with family, and helping others.