Navy wives don’t like idea of women on subs
Robin McGovern teaches in the male-dominated field of neuroscience and likes to think of herself as “a strong and independent woman.” But as the wife of a local submariner, she has reservations about allowing women to serve aboard submarines.
”It’s such tight quarters and they’re gone for very long periods of time. It gets lonely for the wives and the guys,” said McGovern, whose husband is an officer on the USS Providence (SSN 719). “They have to deal with temptation, but does it need to be that close?”
Part of her says it would be great if there were female submariners, McGovern said, but “as a wife of a submariner, it makes me a little uncomfortable.”
Adm. Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Gary Roughead, chief of naval operations, and Navy Secretary Ray Mabus have all said recently that they want women to serve in the Submarine Force.
But several wives of local submariners said mixing genders in a small space for long periods of time would likely lead to problems.
Stephanie Williams, whose husband is an officer on the USS Pittsburgh (SSN 720), said, “I trust my husband, but it’s nice to know it’s just the guys there. I’ve read articles about the co-ed bases in Iraq that have to offer birth control and have ultrasound machines because of the relationships that occur. That’s just what happens when you mix genders.”
The Day
9/30/9
Magnolia Tribune
