After Naval Academy graduation in 1927, Irvin served in Atlantic and Asiatic fleets. In 1932 he attended submarine school and then reported to the USS S-48, in which Lieutenant H.G. Rickover was XO. Irvin served in various submarines in the late 1930s and early 1940s and commanded the USS Nautilus (SS-168) during three war patrols in middle of World War II. She provided photo reconnaissance of beaches at Tarawa, Apamama, and Makin prior to invasions. He later commanded Submarine Squadron Two; was CO, Service School Command at Great Lakes; attended the Naval War College; and served on SubPac staff and as liaison between CinCNELM and Commanding General U.S. Forces Austria. While Commander Service Force Pacific Fleet he initiated automatic data processing and was involved in planning for Naval Support Activity Danang. From 1965 to 1967, commanded the Pacific Area of Military Sea Transportation Service.