I personally do NOT like it or ‘approve’ BUT if they went through the same tests, mental AND physical, passed all their Quals etc fine.
My gut tells me some corners were cut here.
Now for all those that are predicting ‘instant doom’, they have been aboard for 15 months and it would be hard to believe they ‘kept it in tact’ till they got their dolphins.
If they ‘earned’ them going through the same routine as their male counterparts, they are to be congratulated.
I personally ‘blew my head up’ in the 105’ free ascent tank and was thereby disqualified from Submarine Service so I may be a tad ‘envious’ here - even though I understand they haven’t done the ‘blow and go’ for many a moon now.
it's not a case if they can pass a test but more of a case of morale... wives at home will not be pleased and that will translate to the husbands in the crew where a happy home life is VERY important to a happy crew and if they are having sexual relations with crew members, those not getting it will not be happy either...
it's a case of do they bring something needed and positive to the efficiency and well being and of the running the boat or is it just another social experiment