Timely Submarine Attitudes Forged by Unparalleled Necessity

Men and women serve three years in the IDF in combat positions, while women in non-combat positions serve two. The IDF requires women who volunteer for combat positions to serve for three years because combat soldiers must undergo a lengthy period of training, and it is in the interests of the IDF to get as much use of that training as possible. Women in combat positions are also required to serve as reserve for several years after their dismissal from regular service.

Following regular service, men may be called for reserve service of up to one month annually, until the age of 43-45 (reservists may volunteer after this age), and may be called for active duty immediately in times of crisis.

Israeli women have been combat pilots although this service was stopped for a time due to women's problems pulling Gs. In 1977 the Israel Defense Force precluded any more women from pilot training. The mission of the Israeli military and its manpower goals, economics, and the country's survival are the prime concerns of the country in determining personnel policies.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) includes one submarine flotilla. This volunteer, elite unit was founded in 1951, barely three years after the founding of the IDF and Israel itself.

Primary puposes of IDF's submarines are:
Attacking
Covert intelligence gathering
Supporting other units

Women are allowed to serve in 83% of all positions in the military, including Shipboard Navy Service (except submarines), and Artillery. Since 1993, homosexuals have been allowed to openly serve in the military, including special units (does not appear to include submarines, but really do not know for sure).

In a recent interview, chief commander of the IDF's submarine fleet, Colonel Yoni, who is personally involved in selection of each volunteer in his unit, speaks of the people under his command with admiration and appreciation. When it comes to the service of the fairer sex on submarines, he is not a amenable to encouraging news for women.

Stated like a man devoted to defending his country rather than bowing to lawyer's political correctness, Yoni explains (Hat tip: The Sub Report) :

"Why should we venture into something that has failed in a large part of the fleets in the world, where there is even more lenience on these issues?... Is it worth breaking the fabric created between combatants on the submarine? They are under a lot of pressure as it is," he concluded.

Like the United States Israel is assured of envy and hatred by ubiquitous enemies. Unlike some (mainly women and liberals) in the U.S., however, Israel harbors no pretenses about the folly of diluting the strength of its most advanced, secret war machine fleet.

Agreement with Col. Yoni in no way minimizes the ability and service of women which has been immense in every U.S. conflict. A perfect example of women's non-combat submarine role is made here, by the first female pilot of the Alvin, Cindy Van Dover.

The popular image of an Israeli female soldier holding a machine-gun in her arms is an exaggeration. Though female soldiers enhance the character of the IDF, they never really had any combatant role....According to the latest figures (1988), women still serve in less than 40% of the general military jobs. source

So, what do you think?