The U.S. Navy has moved one step closer to ending the policy that bans women from submarines.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates sent letters to Congress notifying them of Navy’s desire to deploy women. The letters support “a phased approach to the assignment of women in submarines”, one military official told Fox.
If all goes to plan the Navy will institute a policy change after both sides of Congress have had 30 “in session” days to consider it. If lawmakers object they’ll have until mid-April to pass a law that specifically bans women on subs, otherwise it becomes Navy policy.
It ‘s already clear that at least some house members will object, according to a congressional source. Another possible objection could come from Navy wives, but the military already has plans to conduct outreach programs to that specific group.
Currently there are no women in the military assigned to submarines. Women do board subs on some occasions, but almost never on longer trips.
The plan calls for women to be phased in slowly, starting with more senior officers on the larger subs. Women only began serving on surface ships in 1993.