The submarine emblem of expertise is two dolphins swimming toward a bow-on view of a submarine. The Dolphins are coveted by submarine personnel and each man that reports to a submarine is expected to study each of the boat's systems until mastery is achieved. A submarine qualification notebook was completed and a practical examination given before the crew member was deemed to be qualified in submarines. The process from officers was essentially the same except that submarine tactics, navigation and ship-handling was added to the curriculum. For officers the examination consisted of an oral test on a submarine other than his own and a one week practical examination at sea on a third submarine. This was the process in the days of the diesel powered submarine.

In 1960 most diesel powered submarines were converted Fleet Type boats. The systems in one submarine were pretty much alike in another submarine. This was a comfort to the qualified submariner who could be assigned to another boat and step aboard with a knowledge of the boat's systems.

In 1918 the process of qualification was simpler, because the submarines were simpler. Having said that, it was not easy to become qualified on the L, O and R boats. The written requirements were not as thorough as for the Fleet Type boats and GUPPIES, but the examinations were just as tough.

Nuclear powered submarines and the explosion of electronic and computerized functions in modern boats means a dramatic change in the qualification process. The modern American submarine is so complex that no one man can possibly learn the intricate complexities of equipment. Furthermore, the nuclear propulsion system requires difficult land-based training and thorough knowledge of the power plant before the crew member every steps on board his boat. Rates common to diesel sailors have been absorbed into the rate of electronics technician.

Qualification in modern submarines means something different than the designation a half century ago. And to a lesser degree qualification in the mid twentieth century meant something different than it did during the First World War. The Submarine Qualification, Then and Now project examines three qualification notebooks, one from 1918, one from 1960 and one from 2005. It traces the development of the qualification process from its infancy to the modern concept of what it takes to be a qualified crew member of a Trident class submarine.