The United States Navy recently commissioned its first submarine designed for “full gender integration,” according to a Fox News report from Sunday. The USS New Jersey was officially launched on Saturday during a ceremony held at the Naval Weapons Station Earle in Middletown, New Jersey. A video of the fast-attack Virginia-class submarine’s commissioning was shared by Navy veteran Glenn Mallo on his X account.
During the event, Cmdr. Steve Halle delivered a speech to the nearly 135 crew members aboard the submarine, emphasizing their role in operating “the most complex platform on the planet.” He expressed amazement and humility at what they have accomplished, highlighting the importance of professionalism, crew integration, and diversity. We have exceeded expectations at every turn and overcome every obstacle set before us,” Halle added.
Until now, no other U.S. submarines were designed to house both women and men. In 2010, then-Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates lifted the ban on women serving aboard submarines. The long-held belief was that limited living quarters and a lack of privacy would make gender integration challenging. However, the Navy is now moving forward with plans to integrate genders across various platforms by 2030.
A press release from June 2021 states that “by 2030, the goal is to have 33 different crews integrated with officers across all platforms and all homeports.” To facilitate this shift, adjustments have been made to increase privacy in washrooms and sleeping areas onboard the submarine. Furthermore, improvements have been made to enhance access to top bunks and overhead valves, as reported by NorthJersey.com.
As more submarines are designed with full gender integration in mind, it is expected that the Navy will continue to prioritize crew professionalism and diversity while adapting to these changes onboard their vessels.