Can civilians purchase a submarine from military surplus site?

In theory... YES. There are currently 22 former US Submarines in civilian hands as Museum ships or Memorials. USS Pampanito (SS-383), a Balao-class submarine, was a United States Navy ship. She completed six war patrols from 1944 to 1945 and served as a Naval Reserve Training ship from 1960 to 1971. She is now a National Historic Landmark, preserved as a memorial and museum ship in the San Francisco Maritime National Park Association located at Fisherman's Wharf. An AVERAGE citizen isn't going to be able to purchase one to "OPERATE" though... aside from the cost, the US Military and Law Enforcement folks are VERY leery about what a sub COULD be used for. The FBI spends a fair amount of time keeping an eye out for the Colombian Drug Cartel... who tried to purchase an old Foxtrot class diesel submarine from the Russians !! BACK to the cost issue though... operating the diesel engines alone would cost roughly $500 an HOUR. Not to mention the cost of hiring and training a crew to operate ...  more