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The U.S. Navy announced on April 29 that it will recruit women for the first time into its submarine force. For the past 20 years, the Navy has allowed women to serve on its surface warfare ships, but submarines were off-limits. Submarines are cramped spaces with no real privacy, and blending the sexes in such close quarters for an extended period was seen as risky.
But times have changed.
According to Reuters, "Women account for about 15 percent of the more than 336,000 members of the U.S. Navy."
The Voice of America News interviewed Rear Admiral Barry Bruner:
The reason it's available to women is that we can give them privacy," said Admiral Bruner. "So we're finally where we can do it. And I'm pleased that the submarine force is headed down this path."...
Still, the subs have close quarters, and some of them spend months under the sea. Admiral Bruner says preparations to put women on the submarines include re-emphasizing training, for men and women, aimed at avoiding sexual harassment, improper onboard relationships and related problems. But the admiral, who is a career submarine officer, says he does not expect serious problems...
Although the policy change was made official on Thursday, the first women will not climb down into submarines with their duffel bags until the end of next year. There is a lengthy selection and training process ahead for women who decide to apply for the submarine force.
Major contributing factors to the optimism are that there will only be 19 women selected for training for this duty, and they will all be officers. If they succeed, enlisted women will follow. The first actual assignment will not be until 2012.
Bunk areas for officers are in groups of three, so, initially, two or three women will be assigned to each ship. The US Navy site reports:
"Today, women earn about half of all science and engineering bachelor's degrees," said Vice Adm. John J. Donnelly, Commander, Naval Submarine Forces. "There are capable women who have the interest, talent, and desire to succeed in the submarine force. Maintaining the best submarine force in the world requires us to recruit from the largest possible talent pool."
Implementing the policy change will begin by assigning three female officers in eight different crews of guided-missile attack (SSGNs) and ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs). The assignments involve two submarines on the East Coast and two on the West Coast, each of which is supported by a Blue and Gold crew. More living space is available aboard these platforms, which will require no modification, permitting the Navy to move quickly on integrating female officers in submarines.
Reactions have been widespread. One site reports that among the biggest group of people with concerns are Navy wives. Wifey from Wife of a Sailor, who is, herself, a Navy Reserve Officer, says:
I’ve seen a lot of debate on this. Many people -- both Sailors and wives -- are very negative toward this. Many embrace it. The Navy is definitely trying to get the word out and talk to Sailors and their families about it. In fact, the Admiral of the sub group had a town hall meeting for families to discuss it....Now, I know many women are worried that their husbands will be tempted to cheat. Let me reiterate: only officers are being integrated and only 19 of the top candidates will be allowed to go on submarines. That’s pretty cream of the crop. These women are going to be so career-focused they are not going to want to mess anything up. Besides, we all know they are going to be living in fish bowls and they are going to be out to show that women can do this...And while we are on this topic… women, if you are worried that your man might cheat because he’s cooped up for several months with other women, let me say this: you have more to worry about in your marriage than this happening. Because let’s face it, if a guy (or girl for that matter) wants to cheat, or has the capacity to cheat, he’s going to whether he’s on the boat or on land. And just remember, they also get port calls… plenty of opportunity to cheat if they want to.
Jen, who is a Seaman Recruit in the Navy and blogs at Jen's Navy Times says:
Now I wouldn't want to serve on submarines myself, but
