Navy Set to Crew Subs with Female Sailors

[Die Hard]

The most proficient and experienced army in the world consists almost exclusively of draftees (or more correctly termed: Conscripts).

[bj229r]

The most proficient and experienced army in the world consists almost exclusively of draftees (or more correctly termed: Conscripts).

Yah, but Israelis have something going on that the US likely never will--the very real possibility that their society will be erased by a mass of tanks and planes from half a dozen countries swarming across their border....every man, woman and child there is reminded of that daily--great motivating factor. Only thing US has coming across their border are future lawn-care professionals

[Saxman]

Only thing US has coming across their border are future lawn-care professionals

You're lucky I wasn't drinking anything, you'd have owed me a new monitor.

[sluggish]

As with most things of this nature, it is a very loud minority that pushes for female integration.  If all female naval personel were polled, they would probably overwhelmingly vote against sub duty.  Like everything else the military has done regarding female integration, rather than exclude the majority of women by requiring them to maintain the same physical standards as men, they will reduce overall combat readiness/effectiveness by allowing women to have lower standards so that the majority of them will be able to pass.  This type of "diversity" is not good for the military.

[texasmom]

I'm not in great favor of all the integration.  An all female sub would allow them to serve in that capacity if they wish to, without all the distractions that come along with the integration.  But what woman would want to be in such close quarters with that many other women?  Sounds like a lose/lose situation.

*edit*
If one were to go back and research the push for integration (which maybe I'll do someday if I decide that I'm willing to dedicate the time to it), it will probably be found that the staunchest advocates are the officers (women, of course) who have reached their cap of progression... but that if women were integrated into other areas, they could be placed in a leadership position that they weren't otherwise eligible for ~ hence:  they can continue to push their career upward.  I bet it's never to "advance" regular serving women... just the ones at the top.

[Die Hard]

Women should have the same opportunities and responsibilities as men... whether they like it or not. Same requirements as well.

[bj229r]

I'm not in great favor of all the integration.  An all female sub would allow them to serve in that capacity if they wish to, without all the distractions that come along with the integration.  But what woman would want to be in such close quarters with that many other women?  Sounds like a lose/lose situation.

*edit*
If one were to go back and research the push for integration (which maybe I'll do someday if I decide that I'm willing to dedicate the time to it), it will probably be found that the staunchest advocates are the officers (women, of course) who have reached their cap of progression... but that if women were integrated into other areas, they could be placed in a leadership position that they weren't otherwise eligible for ~ hence:  they can continue to push their career upward.  I bet it's never to "advance" regular serving women... just the ones at the top.

I've heard that several times as well

[Hap]

Women should have the same opportunities and responsibilities as men... whether they like it or not. Same requirements as well.

crazily wrong.

[sluggish]

crazily wrong.

Please qualify this statement.

[batch]

I just keep imagining so many scenes from submarine movies............ where they are in close proximity to an enemy sub........ everyone onboard is absolutely silent so as not to alert the enemies sonar........

then some female with PMS comes storming through the sub yelling "STOP LEAVING THE TOILET SEAT UP"

I know I know unrealistic........ but makes me chuckle thinking about it

[Stoney]

The most proficient and experienced army in the world consists almost exclusively of draftees (or more correctly termed: Conscripts).

I've trained with the IDF, and no disrespect to their elan and esprit, they're not the most proficient or experienced army in the world.  Fighting the Junior Varsity can make you look good--we should know.  And, I can tell you from personal experience that the gender issue is by no means a non-issue in the IDF.

My point Squire, was that the U.S. military is not compensating for a lack of bodies by aggressively recruiting women.  The hardest slots to fill right now are not occupational fields that are open to women anyway.  Combat MOS fields are seeing the highest turnover, and I mean grunts and such.  Women can't replace those bodies.  The fact that there are as many women volunteering for the military these days is a testament to the opportunity this country affords women.  

I'm not even arguing that women shouldn't be on subs, just that the transition will be difficult.  Those ships are not designed for mixed-gender crews, and the sub-surface Navy is certainly not experienced in dealing with the host of issues that arise from mixed-gender crews.  It would be better if the Navy made a decision that the next class of fast-attack sub will be designed with mixed-gender crews in mind, rather than wedging chicks into the boats as is.  Regardless, the decision is made--I just hope it is a better transition than some others have been in the past.

[Wolfala]

I dunno why I am saying this, but what the hell. If there is a risk of a pregnancy reducing the overall combat effectiveness of a deployed unit - why not mandate female deployment to have mandatory prophylaxis such as an IUD, Pill or Depo shot? The 1st and 3rd are fire and forget - or at least the 3rd can be administered by the medic onboard. Pills I can see being a problem with having to stock and remembering toejam during duty shifts.

Just seems like a good idea rather then leaving 30 guys short. Imagine if they were EWO's or something really necessary in a high threat environment.

[TwinEng]

I dunno why I am saying this, but what the hell. If there is a risk of a pregnancy reducing the overall combat effectiveness of a deployed unit - why not mandate female deployment to have mandatory prophylaxis such as an IUD, Pill or Depo shot?

Latest reports are that pregnant female sailors will not be allowed to serve on submarines.   And the women who do may be required to take the pill, in order to prevent pregnancy.

Studies have shown that the air inside a submarine can be very harmful to an unborn fetus.   Here is a link to a document about this issue:

http://cmrlink.org/CMRNotes/HPScott%20061200.pdf


An interesting fact from the above report by Admiral Hugh Scott is the fact that at any given time, 9% of the women serving in the Navy are pregnant.

Should pregnant women be allowed to go into combat??

I wonder if the Army's pregnancy rate is that high?


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[Nemisis]

Start your own thread for this.  It will help add to your post count.

Do you have some ax to grind I'm unaware of ?

[Stoney]

Your post that I quoted was completely unrelated to the issue being discussed.  So, I stated for you to start your own thread where you can discuss battleship armament.  I could just report you for hijacking, but we're all big boys around here.