Let women work on subs, Navy secretary says
Women should be allowed to serve aboard submarines, and the Navy is “moving out aggressively” to make it happen, according to the service’s top civilian.
“I believe women should have every opportunity to serve at sea, and that includes aboard submarines,” Navy Secretary Ray Mabus said Thursday in a statement to Navy Times.
His comment comes one week after Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Michael Mullen told congressional lawmakers he thought it was time to end the ban against women on submarines.
Mullen’s successor, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead, also said he is “very comfortable” addressing the crewing policy.
The statements have set off significant on-line discussion among naval personnel.