The answer to your question, whether this would affect the operation of the submarine-— is in a phenomenal number of ways.. yes. Regardless of the preferences of the crewmembers, ie. sexual preferences, it is the interactions that would have to be controlled beyond usual capability in a normal social interaction. There is simply no room for error at 500 plus feet.
Here’s an example of just ONE internal defense: on a missile boat, the missile integrity officer on board on watch has a sidearm and a billy club— to defend the safety of the missiles in the launch tubes from one of the crew who might go crazy, despite all screening, or turn traitor or just turn revengeful for some slight. The officer has “shoot to kill” orders on a war footing to protect the 24 tubes each with a missile, each missile with 8 separately targeted re-entry vehicles of 475 Kilotons apiece. Taken from this vantage point it is far more than just “how will the guys and gals get along” it is.. “how will the critical mission be performed flawlessly do defend our nation?” And therein lies the crux of this discussion. Social engineering nuts, or recruiters trying to maintain their quotas cannot get around this basic question. It is why there will NEVER be females in a SEAL team. It’s not a video game and it’s not Star Trek with actors or something as idiotic as “Crimson Tide” movie.
Thank you for the information. It didn’t sound like a good idea but in Kansas with no experience with the Navy, what I presume to know isn’t the same thing as knowing.