For Those in Peril Under the Sea

(Washington, D.C.): The tragedy playing out beneath the Barents Sea as time runs out
on the
hapless crew of Russia’s Oscar II submarine, Kursk, is a forceful reminder of the grave dangers
and enormous sacrifices expected of those who serve in submarine services all over the world.
While the Kursk was designed and, presumably operated, to threaten American surface and
subsurface naval forces and targets ashore, everyone can share in the hope that those of its crew
still alive will somehow escape the mortal peril they now face in the black depths of that cold
ocean.

This terrible incident also offers a fresh focus for an initiative that militant feminists
have been
pushing of late — aimed at foisting upon an unwilling U.S. Navy the requirement to integrate
women aboard American submarines. There are — as noted in the following letter from a former
female naval officer published on 31 May 2000 as a letter to the editor in the New London,
Connecticut newspaper The Day — compelling operational considerations for rejecting this
idea.

These considerations, to say nothing of the undesirability of needlessly placing
American women
in the sort of harm’s way currently being faced by those manning the Kursk, should ensure that
the “Silent Service” remains an all-male force. The Nation owes a debt of gratitude to Rep.
Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD) for his leadership in Congress in connection with an initiative in the
Fiscal Year 2001 defense authorization bill that ensures there will be no hasty, politically driven
decision to do otherwise.

The Day, 31 May 2000

Common Sense Should Rule on Subs

by Patty Marr

As a female, 1986 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, including two years of sea time, I do
not
agree with the recent attempt to assign women to submarines. I can speak from experience that
“women-at-sea” is no success story. If we truly want to debate this issue, we need to get away
from slogans and start discussing facts.

Fact: Average women do not have the upper body strength of the average man. There are a
few
“amazons” out there, but the Navy must accept the average. This fact is acknowledged by the
lower physical readiness test standards. I passed all my tests, but could not lower a submersible
pump into a flooded space. Who would you prefer in wartime?

Fact: Pregnancy and sea time are incompatible. Women have the right to bear children
(obviously), and if they become pregnant, they must eventually depart the ship. Submarines with
their added restrictions to medical facilities, must have 100 percent crew readiness, even in
dental health.

Could you imagine a monthly pregnancy screening for women assigned to submarines? In
my
experience, I was the division officer for 60 people, of which 6 were women, and three of those
were removed during deployment for pregnancy. Pretty good, right? Where are all those
impressive Navywide statistics?

Fact: Close quarters with mixed crews produces romantic relationships. Our culture has
given up
on sexual purity, so why do we expect people will magically become “professional” and
abstinent once they are recruited? Shipboard romances happen, affect good order and discipline,
ruin marriages under stress from military separations, and are punished in the Navy. I know- I
was there.

The Navy discriminates-against obesity, illness, disability, age and yes, sex. The military’s
mission is to effectively fight wars, not be an equal opportunity employer pandering to every
special interest group.

Maybe we should make submarines handicapped accessible too. I hope our military
commanders
have the courage to stand up against this pressure just as they need to in the heat of battle.

The writer currently runs a tight ship with a crew of seven children.