That’s what I figured. The patrol will be interrupted. But it’s not really an issue for the Navy anymore. They’ve learned to expect the disruption.
I didn’t expect my comment to provoke such strong reactions. Allow me to expand on my comments, and if I am wrong, please let me know specifically what is wrong. Don’t just call me inaccurate or idiotic or ridiculous and leave it at that. Educate me on my errors.
First, I am not saying I agree with women being on subs, I was just commenting on what would happen if they were and one turned up pregnant.
My first hand experience is limited to a three day Tiger Cruise along the Atlantic Seaboard in the Boise. My son is a submariner, though, and I have a limited understanding of what goes on during a deployment based on what he has told me through the years. My knowledge is further limited to attack subs; boomers operate differently.
Maybe a little knowledge is dangerous. But I do know that attack submarines make scheduled stops during a six month deployment. They can carry only enough food to last about six weeks. I have been told by my son that if there is an immediate need for a sailor to get off the boat, they will meet up with the nearest surface ship. He also told me there is only one person on the sub with limited medical experience. I believe that person is called an Independent Duty Corpsman (IDC).
My speculation about what would happen is based on the premise that a woman who turns up pregnant would be in the very early stages of pregnancy. This would allow sufficient time to make arrangements to get her off the sub at the next scheduled port call. But if something happened that required immediate attention while the boat was in the middle of the ocean, they would have to meet up with the nearest surface ship.
Saganite asked “I wonder if the Subs will have to surface or put in to offload their preggies?” If those of you calling me wildly and dangerously inaccurate, ridiculous, or an idiot still don’t agree with my answer, please let me know what I have wrong.