Why can't women serve on submarines?

Question

I have a brother in the Navy and one in the Marines.

They both gave me an answer but I didn't like it.

Maybe I could have some objective answer, not from pathetic, sheltering brothers?

Folks, come on. Service people are professionals, no sex or lack of showering or such will go on. Be serious too.

Answer 1

This question and answer pretty much sums everything up, and unlike the other answers you've recieved here both the asker and the top answerer have extensive experience on subs.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Ai29Sp2uy6WQuUHfvvr6EBPty6IX?qid=20070120095050AAS1rtu

Put simply: women should not be on submarines until Americans are comfortable with men and women working together, sleeping together(not in the same bunks, but the same quarters), showering and doing basic necessities together. The idea of separate quarters on a submarine is not only very expensive, it branches into fantasy.

To understand what I mean, get a room and a roommate and draw a chalk line through the center of the room. That solves all your privacy issues without creating any division between you, doesn't it?...No, it doesn't solve either of these issues, you say? In fact it makes those issues even more problematic? Well, you would encounter a similar situation in attempting to rig everything separately onboard a sub.

Women who go on submarines should get to be submariners, and a major part of being a submariner is your connection/cohesion with your fellow submariners. This is a unique bond not seen in any other military force, and unavoidable if you are to have a strong crew.

People may give you other reasons, but they are invalid nonsense. Women could handle it, the public cannot.

Answer 2

While submarines are cramped and close, it is not too much for a mixed crew to adapt to. There are simple solutions to using the toilet and shower, such as not using them while fully unclothed. I was in the Navy from 1983-2003 and was fully expecting females to enter sub service before I retired.

I heard at one time from a senior officer that one reason for not allowing female crew members was the possibility of an ectopic pregnancy which would have serious health consequences as there are no medical doctors on board, just a corpsman. I have no idea if that was BS or not.

When females do enter sub service, there will be those who will have problems. Those that do, male or female will have to adapt or leave the service.

Ranb

Answer 3

It has more to do with accomodations more than anything else.

Making separate and private accomodations for both genders would require a major redesign of the entire submarine force. That is an expense that the military just does not feel comfortable with right now.

Answer 4

Can you imagine what would happen to a boat full of men when the only couple of women start getting "that smell" once per month? Thomas Dolby wrote a song about the result called "One of Our Submarines is Missing".

Answer 5

If you've ever served in the military, you'd know that men and women, as well as enlisted and officers, can not room together.
But...the new subs they are building are designed to house women, so if you're really gung-ho about it, just wait a few years.

Answer 6

submariners go down a lot and for long periods. i believe they consider women too much of a distraction in the tight quarters. Go for a carrier

Answer 7

The honest answers aren't the pretty ones. There are concerns about the confinement with men, amongst others. Interesting, actually, since test after test has proven that women are more resilient to claustrophobia than men.

Answer 8

how about a submarines fully commanded by a total woman's staff

Answer 9

Too tight of quarters. Remember you are of the oppisite sex.

Answer 10

They like the taste of seamen too much?