Extremely Harsh Criticisms Directed Toward a Sitting Submarine Rear Admiral

During the panel-style forum discussion, entitled “Military Women’s Policy Update,”one of the key topics discussed was the policy change regarding women serving aboard submarines. The forum was ominously held during the 7th Annual Fall Leadership Symposium and Career Workshop at the Women in Military Service for America Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery Sept. 25.

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Not only historic, a Lady's Symposium was groundbreaking for any branch of the United States military. What a stand-up gentleman you are!

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Let's hope your assumption is correct, Adm. Bruner, for if not, injury to the world's current premiere submarine force will be immeasurable. Unless immeasurable is what mixed-gender supporters have been hoping, how well, if at all, have you considered the worst-case harm of such a course change?

“I am absolutely convinced that putting women on submarines is the right thing to do,” he said. “There’s no doubt in my mind. It’s not because it’s politically correct. It’s because the mission of a submarine is to put ordnance on target — that’s what a submarine is supposed to do. In 1966, men earned 75 percent of the technical degrees. In 2006, women earned 51 percent of the technical degrees. To be a nuclear trained officer you have to have a technical background.” - Rear Adm.Barry Bruner, commander, Submarine Group 10.

If, in contradiction of longstanding submarine tradition, Adm. Bruner turns out to be WRONG, navy recruiting prospects for male submariners will diminish markedly and in the near term (6-12 years), perhaps irreversibly.

Bruner also said that even though diminishing recruiting goals have impacted the submarine community, maintaining quality officers and Sailors remains paramount for the Navy, regardless of gender.

If Admiral Bruner is correct, the submarine force will become more robust, and more of a force to be reckoned by our potential enemies than at any time since WW2. If Adm. Bruner's premise fails, which in the opinion of many is more likely, the submarine force will be weaker than at any time since the Cold War.

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The second panel of the forum was entitled "Leading Ladies: Peak Performers Shattering Boundaries". Comprising a vital defense force of "Leading Ladies" is not only undaunting to our enemies, it fairly invites ridicule, testing, and ultimately, attack. "...[P]utting women on submarines is the right thing to do,” Bruner said. “There’s no doubt in my mind. It’s not because it’s politically correct."

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Of course, Admiral, if the decision you support is not politically correct, it is clearly due to military brilliance like yours. We can only pray, therefore, that contrary to recent submarine history (RAN), human nature, and traditional belief that you are sorely mistaken, that you will emerge magically correct. Otherwise, your days of infamy will only be surpassed by the plight of your countrymen and women no matter where you choose to retire in seclusion.

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Submarines are always silent and strange.