Posted on 02/24/2010 7:59:45 AM PST by meandog
Women to Serve on Subs, Gates Tells Congress
By Donna Miles American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Feb. 23, 2010 - The Navy plans to repeal its ban on women serving on submarines, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates has informed Congress.
Gates signed a letter Feb. 19 informing Congress of the Navy's plan to lift the policy, which it intends to do through the phased-in assignment of women to submarines, Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell confirmed today.
The secretary endorsed the plan, the brainchild of Navy Secretary Ray Mabus, Morrell said.
No change can take effect until Congress has been in session for 30 days following the notification, Navy Lt. Justin Cole, a Navy spokesman said.
Mabus, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead and other Navy leaders have looked closely at the issues involved with integrating women into the submarine force, including close working conditions and accommodations, he said.
No funds will be spent to reconfigure submarines to accommodate female crew members until the Navy Department presents the phased-approach plan to Congress.
Mabus has been a strong proponent of the policy change since being confirmed to his post in May.
"I believe women should have every opportunity to serve at sea, and that includes aboard submarines," he told reporters in October. Roughead, in a statement issued in September, said his experience commanding a mixed-gender surface combatant ship makes him "very comfortable" with the idea of integrating women into the submarine force.
"I am familiar with the issues as well as the value of diverse crews," Roughead said.
The integration of women into the submarine force increases the talent pool and therefore, overall submarine readiness, Cole said.
"We know there are capable young women in the Navy and women who are interested in the Navy who have the talent and desire to succeed in the submarine force," he said. "Enabling them to serve there is best for the submarine force and our Navy."
The policy change – and the Navy's ability to work through the issues involved -- is not without precedent, he noted. In 1993, the Navy changed its policy to permit women to serve on surface combat ships.
Have they studied how being confined on a submarine will effect women’s menstual cycles?
Swampsniper - I get the impression you really really like women. LOL
My first thought too...
I can't retire soon enough. (126 days left)
I wonder what the sub would do if it was on a mission that required it to stay submerged for an extended period of time and they had to deal with a live birth on board?
I can save that study money and tell you that they all will get in sync and for 4-5 days that that sub will be in purgatory.
I may be a closet muslim!
On our beloved old diesel boats back in the 60s...no showers, usually only a basin of water to wash with once a day. And as a lower-ranking and non-rated, non-qualified seaman you "hot racked" and "messed cooked". There was little room in the passageways and you squeezed in after battery for meals in two shifts. It was also very much a locker room with a lot of naked bodies running around (wouldn't mind seeing women here but bet they would mind seeing men back then). There are still countries (Dutch, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Poland, Russia, Japan, S. Korea etc.) that operate diesel boats because they are quiet. We have only one left: USS Dolphin.
I was just thinking the same thing - I remember my husband talking about the stench. lol
Now that I’m retired from the military, I don’t care if gays or women are all over the battlefield. It was extremely difficult to find appropriate entertainment during the off hours but now the military will provide that entertainment. It will now be built into the ranks. These policies will make it less likely that soldiers, saliors, marines and airpeople will miss their deployments. Deployments should last longer and they will now be able to “grow” the force without too much trouble. Ya gotta love it!!!
My wife and I talked about this last night. How about an all female ship or sub. Once a month raise the papa, mike, sierra flag and leave that ship the heck alone.
They do get in sync, it is a fact!
One that finds living in a 300+ foot nuclear powered phallic symbol irresistible.
And multiply that by however many women are on one sub together, because cycles synchronize -
There’s seaman all over the place.
One would think that nuclear subs that are underwater for long periods of time may have to surface more frequently to tend to pregnancies.
PMS symptoms
mood swings
irritability
depression
anxiety
angry outbursts
confusion or fuzzy thinking
tearfulness
fatigue
insomnia
incredible urge to rise and hover at launch depth followed by the release of all nuclear assets at random targets
changes in libido
overeating
cravings, especially for salty or sweet foods
alcohol intolerance
acne
hives
abdominal and pelvic cramps
bloating
weight gain
headaches
menstrual migraines
breast swelling and pain
edema (visible swelling, particularly in the hands, feet and legs)
asthma
sinus problems
sore throat
worsening of chronic conditions like arthritis and ulcers
difficulty with coordination, being more prone to accidents
dizziness, decreased balance
heart pounding (palpitation)
nausea
fainting
urinary problems
I got to go through the USS Cavalla in Galveston, Tx. It is a WWII sub. REAL cramped quarters and lots of stuff sticking out to whack your head on. I’ve got a lot of respect for the guys who lived in that thing.
My Son is currently on a sub and he said a while back his boat came under the Navy’s microscope because too many Sailors put in to leave the sub.
Sub duty is all volunteer duty. So I guess one can unvolunteer. May be career limiting though.
I wonder how many Submariners will unvolunteer when women are assigned to their sub?
The policy gives a totally new meaning the phrase “hot bunking”
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