Sub Training Welcomes Women

A couple weeks ago I posted a two part article about the Navy opening most all jobs to women, and some of the questions, objections, and concerns that such a move has raised. Now, an article was released by the Associated Press notes that the Navy has welcomed their first class of female officers in submarine training school. There had been a ban on women in this field, but with its recent appeal, this is the first class of women who started training this month to serve on submarines.

Eight women are in that first class, and the graduating members of that class will go on to serve on submarines. The previous ban on women serving on sub crews was based mainly on the issues and thoughts that it would not be a wise thing to have a co-ed crew serving in such close quarters for long periods of time. So the question is, what has changed? Why is that theory no longer of any concern?

William Kenny is the Naval Submarine School spokesman, and he states that no changes in the lodging or classroom at the school have been put into place. The eight women will join the 74 men who are also attending the class, and graduates could be assigned to the crew of guided-missile and ballistic-missile submarines.

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead told one military news site, "Having commanded a mixed gender surface combatant, I am very comfortable addressing integrating women into the submarine force. I am familiar with the issues as well as the value of diverse crews. This has had and will continue to have my personal attention as we work toward increasing the diversity of our Navy afloat and ashore."

The Navy did announce that they will be designing the next wave of ballistic-missile submarines to better accommodate female crew members. Plans are in motion to determine exactly what kind of changes will be required, but would include separate sleeping quarters and bathrooms. The issue of space is a major concern in adding such requirements. The change seems to mainly be required for accommodating female enlisted members, as they state that no major modifications would be needed to support female officers.

Jeff McCormack resides in Virginia Beach, VA. where he works as a web designer by day. In his off time he is a husband, father, and musician. Aside from being a freelance writer for this Armed Services Jobs blog, he also seeks to assist in career choices and information by contributing to other Nexxt blog site.