Rick Raw: Women on Submarines–Navy’s Last Female Gender Barrier Dives into The Deep

By Rick Grant Commentary rickgrant01@comcast.net

The grizzled old warriors of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCOS) are now ordering doubles at their Washington watering hole. Yes, they are still reeling over the eventual repeal of "Don’t Ask Don’t Tell." Head of the JCOS, Admiral Mullen has finally endorsed allowing gays to serve openly in the military. Well, he was under orders from his boss, Bill Gates, Secretary of Defense.

Now, before the hubbub over the openly gay issue has died down, it was announced May 1, 2010 that 11 women who are graduating from the Naval Academy have been selected to be the first female members of the elite Silent Service Submariners.

Submarines were the last bastion of male only service. Women now serve on all classes of Naval vessels. However, the special circumstances of serving on nuclear submarines, that spend six months or more submerged, had always been a tough barrier to break through.

Even on the larger Trident and new class of attack subs, crew quarters are cramped. Privacy is non-existent, and other issues were bantered about as discouraging allowing women aboard these high-tech vessels.

The Naval Academy has chosen these 11 female pathfinders for their high functioning intelligence and their superior technical knowledge. Yes, "the times are a changing" in the U.S. Military which has always been slow to institute social change happening the rest of society.

In 1948, President Truman integrated the U.S. Military by executive order. But it was years before the racial tensions were resolved. Now with an all-volunteer service, the last female gender barrier has finally fallen. Women are still not allowed in combat, but they end up in firefights because of the guerilla tactics of the enemy. Anywhere in Afghanistan or Iraq is a potential battle zone.

Traditions die hard in the military and having women aboard or captains of Naval vessels has been fraught with problems. One female captain was relieved of command for abusing and humiliating her junior officers. In other words, she was fired for being a raving bitch.

Accommodating women aboard submarines will be difficult. Some interior design changes will have to be made, like separate latrines for women. But because of room limitations, it will not be impossible to provide separate sleeping areas for females. So, adjusting to having women aboard a sub for many months will be tricky.

However, these 11 female submariners have been trained to be leaders and endure the sacrifices that are required aboard submarines.

"I am not doing this to be a trailblazer. I see us being just like our male counterparts, and I think we’ll be accepted the same way," says Marquette Ried one of the chosen 11 Naval Academy graduating class.

All well and good, but in reality, the Silent Service is a tight community and those who cannot hack it are booted out. In contrast, serving in subs opens doors for ambitious officers who go on to be promoted to high ranking positions.

These women will be under tremendous pressure to perform as well as, if not better, than their male counterparts. Clearly, there will be tension–sexual and otherwise. Estrogen will flow through the air ducts along with testosterone and oxygen.

Young horny guys hunkered down in tight quarters will be tempted to establish emotional and sexual relationships with the female crew members. Putting males and females together for six months or more trapped in a steel tube could end up with little submariners. Of course, as on other vessels, female Naval personnel who get pregnant while at sea are discharged.

Sexist speculation aside, all eyes of the Navy brass will be on these brave women. Not only will they have to continually meet the high standards of submarine service, but they’ll have to put aside their feelings so this can work. The young men serving with them will have to tow the line and not get involved with the female crew.

Ah yes, but human nature is at work here, and hormones will be in the air. Having a coed crew under these circumstances will test the professionalism of the personnel–both male and female. "Dive, dive" may take on another connotation. (sexist pig) Anchors away!