Sexual Politics Connect the dots, and the picture that emerges is one of politically-motivated capitulation. And the submariners didn't even have a sex scandal. Then a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, Rep. Schroeder was a mistress of sexual politics. Boorda promised to push Schroeder's feminist agenda, including the assignment of women on submarines. Plans were not implemented, however, because of monumental obstacles that remain unchanged today.
Close quarters magnify all problems and resentments.
One berth is used by two or three men on a rotational basis. There is little privacy, and body contact is usually unavoidable during maintenance, training drills, and any emergency. Setting aside preferred accommodations for the use of women would be a serious blow to crew morale. Stress is unavoidable on each sailor and his family. We should not impose more.