Posted to the Facebook group, Submarine Bubblehead Brotherhood, by John A. Mason, on 10 April 2010 at 1530
When comparing the US submarine force to Canada’s (and of the other three nations which currently allow women to serve on board), keep in mind the following considerations:
1) US submarines generally deploy for longer periods of time. This is a concern because of socio-psychological impacts of mixed-gender crews being confined and isolated together for extended lengths of time. The impacts of this issue (among others) have yet to be fully researched.
2) The manning requirements of six submarines (as you know Australia currently has six Collins class submarines) vs. our 75 are different and must be taken into consideration. As you mention, Australia has had personnel position issues already. Manning considerations (NEC’s, crew replenishment, etc.) were explored in the 1995 SAPA study. (Available at link provided below)
2) Differences between FBM missions vs. fast attack missions. Submarine operations in the countries that do have mixed-gender crews are generally of a shorter duration and also likely to be conducted more closer to home vs. extended lengths of time out in the middle of the ocean (or under the ice or, dare I say, in someone’s backyard). There are many implications to this aspect of the comparison.
3) Cultural differences between our society and those of Norway, Canada, Sweden, and Australia. While cultural differences are something that could theoretically be changed/addressed, it would likely take quite some time to resolve these issues satisfactorily. During that time of ‘adjustment’, the submarine crews would likely be operating at less than optimal efficiency and thereby affect mission effectiveness negatively. This directly impacts our national security (and hence, that of our allies).
4) Our submarines are all nuclear powered. Australia’s submarines (and those of the other three countries mentioned above) are not nuclear powered. There are implications of nuclear power and the effects of a potential fetus that have not been fully explored and may be a cause of concern for both the mother and the child (and potentially navy liability issues).
Other documents are available here:
www.johnmason.name/women-in-submarines-controversy
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