Women Will Serve on Submarines, Navy Secretary Says

[Navy for Moms Admin]

Release Date: 10/7/2009 9:12:00 PM
By John J. Kruzel, American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Navy Secretary Ray Mabus said Oct. 6 women soon will serve on submarines, suggesting a reversal of the long-standing ban by the Navy.

Appearing on Comedy Central's "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart," Mabus signaled that the Navy is moving closer to allowing coed personnel on submarines.

"It will take a little while because you've got to interview people and you've got to be nuclear trained," he said, referring to prerequisite steps before a Sailor is assigned to a submarine.

Officials previously have cited a lack of privacy and the cost of reconfiguring subs as obstacles to allowing female crew members to serve aboard the vessels.

But Mabus is one of several top Navy officials recently to call for an end to the policy. The Navy secretary's comments yesterday amplify his previous endorsement of ending the ban.

"This is something the [chief of naval operations] and I have been working on since I came into office," Mabus, who was confirmed as Navy secretary in May, said last week. "We are moving out aggressively on this.

"I believe women should have every opportunity to serve at sea, and that includes aboard submarines," he told reporters following a tour of Northrop Grumman Corp.'s Newport News shipyard.

Navy Adm. Gary Roughead, chief of naval operations, acknowledged that special accommodations would be a factor in the decision, but one that's not insurmountable.

"Having commanded a mixed-gender surface combatant, I am very comfortable addressing integrating women into the submarine force," he said in a statement last month. "I am familiar with the issues as well as the value of diverse crews."

Roughead said he has been personally engaged through the years in the Navy's debate of the feasibility of assigning women to submarines.

"There are some particular issues with integrating women into the submarine force -- issues we must work through in order to achieve what is best for the Navy and our submarine force," he said. "This has had and will continue to have my personal attention as we work toward increasing the diversity of our Navy afloat and ashore."

Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, addressed the issue with the Senate Armed Services Committee last month.

"I believe we should continue to broaden opportunities for women," Mullen is quoted as saying in response to written questions posed by the Senate Armed Services Committee. "One policy I would like to see changed is the one barring their service aboard submarines."

Mullen, a champion of diversifying the services, said this month that having a military that reflects the demographics of the United States is "a
strategic imperative for the security of our country."

For more news from the Secretary of the Navy, visit www.navy.mil/local/secnav.

[Navy for Moms Admin]

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[Navy for Moms Admin]

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[Pat]

I have always joked that if females went on subs, that my son's sub would be found in Colorado or the Alps...major distraction for him.

[Navy for Moms Admin]

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[Navymom24055]

I like the way you put his..We have come a long way...as women..Who wants to take a step back..When we can only go forward...If there are women who wants to do this..More power to them..I say God Bless them all..

[stccst]

WOMEN ROCK!!!!!!....TY!!!!!!

[Patricia B. (Alex's mom)]

Michelle, your first line says it all. "If a woman can do the job, more power to her." This is one job, among a few, that I don't believe a woman can do. Its physically and mentally grueling and I really can't believe that any woman would even want to be on a sub, except to prove a point. As the wife of a cop, I have seen women become cops. I've seen them take the agility test right along side my husband. Their agility tests are different. Now if they can do the job, the agility tests should be exactly the same. They should be able to lift, carry, run, etc., just the same as the men. Then these same women who got the police jobs, have had to be "rescued" from terrible situations they got themselves into as cops. Its a danger to everyone. And I don't mean any disrespect.....there are many many jobs that could and should be co-ed. But there are some that just should not be.

[Navy for Moms Admin]

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[emily]

Hey, I have been an engineer for 35 years and fought the hard fight. However, the only way that this would work is to have all female subs. When was the last time you were on a sub or new how the submariners felt. They love women but think the mix would reduce efficiency.

[PandaBeary89]

I think this would be fine if enough women were qualified for separate subs. Subs are small enough that there will be SO many issues raised. If a woman gets pregnant during a deployment, can easily accuse (falsely or otherwise) of another sailor raping her, health issues of a pregnant woman, distractions... the point of the military is not to find the love of your life or make a child, it is a job. You don't go to work 9-5 m-f looking for your soulmate or for a baby mama or daddy. Since being in the military is your LIFE, a 24/7 job, it is not appropriate for men and women to be combined so closely with so many issues that can be raised and questioned. men and women alike would be distracted, particularly with how few women would be on a co-ed sub. these people haven't been touched in months... and as far as wives that know what that is like with their men having been deployed, I think we all know what that can do to us. It is safer and more respectable for submarines to not be co-ed, considering the very small quarters in comparison to a carrier.

[BunkerQB]

EricsWife,
My son is a nuke officer on a sub. He would not reup if the policy was to include women on fast attacks. What are the admirals making an issues out of this is looking for? Career advancement policy changes, perhaps? You have express the potential pitfalls perfectly. Please forward you advice to the admiral in charge of policy change.
Regards, B.

[Mary]

Being a Veteran of the US Women's Army Corp (many years ago while it was still in existence) all I can say is that it is great that the Military wants to afford opportunities for women. However, I don't believe that submarine duty is the right call.

I am all for the women serving our country, it is their freedom too, but let's face 97% (only a guess) of the facts. Women are not men, they were not designed that way and the Lord certainly didn't build us this way. I am a physically strong woman (three brothers - had no choice - LOL) but there are certain things men can do better due to their physical structure. I am certain there are also SOME women who can do certain physical things better than SOME men but on the overall - men are physically better and physically stronger.

Now when it comes to the mental focus and mental abilities, women do keep the same rank and some women are far better than men. I joined the Army many years ago not to compete with a man but just because I was damned proud of my country and wanted to let the world know it. I fought comments, sneers and laughs which made me walk all the more prouder and taller and I would like to think that I helped pave the way for some young women today because of my service, but let's be honest with ourselves - womens' rights of equal jobs is carrying a little over the line here. I too would not want a 5'2" 120lb woman to rescue me (someone who may be twice her size) and carry me out of a fire burning building all because she wants to carry the title of firefighter. I don't believe I would stand a chance of survival.

I am a mom, a woman and an advocate for equal pay for equal jobs and women should be given opportunities but I also believe that we have to use the smart heads that God gave us and think rationally on this subject and apply some basic common sense. I think the Navy needs to rethink their position on this one.

I agree also with the fear of pregnancy on board a submarine. If there were complications underneath the ocean HOW would they get that sailor out. Are they going to jeopardize the lives and location of our submarines on a critical call for the safety of one sailor (I would hope so because even one life is too much to sacrifice) but an impossible decision. Whereas on a carrier, she could be airlifted safely if the need should arise.

I believe the Navy has to look at the OVERALL impact and the well-being of ALL OF OUR SAILORS before making any hasty decision. I don't want my son on a sub with women and this is HIS mom talking.

Have a good night and let's pray that the Navy chooses the right decision for the right reasons!