How can 24 women run a fast attack sub?
Also none of them hold rank over LT.
Where will they get the crew to run this boat? It is not that easy and requires a number of skilled people trained as nuclear equipment operators, machinist, torpedos and then there is the diving and surfacing of the boat. This requires lot of experience to safely do it. I know being a Chief of the Watch, and eventually a Diving Officer. on a 8,000 ton boat (USS TRITON). This would require a bunch of split tails getting experience on other boats prior to that sub.
Tuna in a can jokes write themselves ....
You beat me to it...I’m retired Air Force, but no one rises to a command billet without years of preparation and training. I’ll defer to my Navy brothers, but is there any female submariner with the requisite experience to skipper a boat, serve as chief of the boat, or even a department head?
I realize women in the submarine community will gain more rank or experience by the time the Illinois gets underway, but how much experience will she have compared to her male counterpart, who is a Commander, with at least 14-15 years of experience by the time he becomes skipper of an attack boat? And, how much experience will that first female chief of the boat have in comparison to a male senior chief or master chief?
In Air Force terms, it sounds like the equivalent of promoting a flight commander to squadron commander.
I have no problem with an all-female crew on the Illinois, provided they have the same level of experience as the “mixed” crews on other boats.