Navy smart to sink sexism

Boston Herald ^ | February 27, 2010 | Bonnie Erbe

[ConservativeStatement]

The long-standing ban on stationing female sailors in submarines is about to become a thing of the past. This week the Pentagon sent a letter to lawmakers telling them of this change in Navy policy, adding that the first female officers will probably start appearing on nuclear submarines by next year.

This is one more step forward for women in the military, although the ban on females serving in certain combat positions still remains intact. Women now make up some 15 percent of the all-volunteer services, and have become crucial to keeping the nation’s military operational.

[wardaddy]

this writer-harridan is such a fruitbat she thinks Michelle Obama is a Stepford Wife

amazing...a product of Barnard

hard to believe one of my life’s loves taught there when we did the big city thingie

[SandRat]

[Salgak]

Come now, there’s a perfectly good method already: throw the moms in the Momsen hatch. .

[skeeter]

More idiocy from the social engineers.

I hope they're around to accept responsibility for their policies when the wheels come off.

[cquiggy]

I live right next to Fort Knox Ky and its almost automatic when you see a female in uniform you see an expectant mother. I really wonder how they will fit all those female sailors in the subs. It is after all common knowledge that every female in the military counts as a half soldier just like female half cops. Every time things go bad they call in male backup.

[SandRat]

So says DACOWITS.. really DACO-TWITS.

[brushcop]

Yeah Bonnie, roger that, IDIOT! Like many FReepers, I’m ex-Navy, was on two aircraft carriers and one destroyer and while the carriers are literally floating cities, the quarters are CLOSE and privacy? You’re still stacked in there.

We have some sub drivers on FR, they know...

[ConservativeStatement]

Last night, I went to MSNBC by mistake (I wanted to watch the Olympics on CNBC — the channels are side by side on my system).

I came across Rachel Maddow and I heard her praise San Francisco (on an issue, though I switched the channel almost immediately) and then she said “Opponents are afraid to see how good things are when liberals are in charge.”

Don’t liberals run such havens as Detroit?

[Bigg Red]

Only a liberal would think this is a good idea.

&&

Of course. Only a policy that negatively affects military readiness is improvement according to their world view.

[Castlebar]

Your post is wildly and dangerously inaccurate.

[napscoordinator]

Hopefully she married a Sailor who has morals so she does not have anything to worry about. Everyone is over 18 afterall and should act like adults and be professional.

[central_va]

Ah, a little advice, in the future with regards to threads that are military in nature, please do not post your comments . You sound ridiculous.

[truthguy]

This idiot is on one of the reasons for the death of Newspapers. Her stupidity is truly breathtaking. She has demonstrated that she doesn't just not understand the role of the military but also doesn't understand ships and especially submarines. The woman thinks the purpose of the military is to engage in social policy and not protect the country. This is stupidity at level so profound that it can literally kill you. She's as dumb as a box of rocks.

[ronniesgal]

that makes me NUTS! They should not have maternity camoflauge( iam sure that is mispelled!)

[rwa265]

How is it inaccurate?

[FrankR]

Women on submarines...here are my questions:

1. Will there by gynocologists on board?

2. Will the medics exam table be fitted with stirrups?

3. Will the sub's sewage system handle "pads"?

4. If she "starts" in her sleep, will her 'hot bunk' partner have to sleep in the mess?

5. Will the commander feel ok about radioing HQ that they must break off the mission to deliver a preggie to the surface?

6. How will the 7-day cycle of bloating and moodiness effect the rest of the crew in such close quarters?

7. If they make "accomdations" for women, how will it be divided? Half women, half men?

8. If the gender ratio changes, will the sub have to return to port each time for a sleeping quarters retrofit?

9. Will the "heads" be co-ed?

10. How will the "submarinettes" husbands feel about her on 6-month deployment with all those guys in close quarters?

Just a few questions that occured to me; they may be moot in some cases as the closest I've see a submarine is in the movies, but inquring minds want to know.

[olezip]

This is one more step forward for women in the military, although the ban on females serving in certain combat positions still remains intact.

This may very well be a step forward for some women. But it is several steps backward for military efficiency and effectiveness. Has anyone run the numbers for the cost of pregnancies? What are the statistics for pregnant sailors on board ships? What is the cost of the pre- and post-natal care? What is the cost of interruption of operations to evacuate the women?

What percentage of dissonance involve women, especially on board ships? I would guess close to 100%.

What is the historical and anthropological basis for women being banned from ships in the days of sailing vessels?

Why do Democrats avoid common sense when it comes to the military? Why do Democrats dangle funding threats to ensure that their pet social experiments come about? These programs have proved to be inefficient and ineffective, yet the Democrats keep pushing them.

[rwa265]

How is it ridiculous?

[central_va]

From somebody who is ex-navy, please shut up.

[stephenjohnbanker]

The Sequel.