Priorities Matter, Yet Navy Launches Gender Neutral Submarine

Rear Admiral (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, senior director of the Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation for the Foundation for Defense of Democracy, told Fox News Digital. Merchant Marines operate the many support vessels needed to keep the Navy running.

“The problem, of course, is the ships are at sea, away from home port 12 months of the year. So, you need two crews, we're desperately short of the number of people. There’s a lack of experienced merchant mariners to crew the ships, and this is really a clear danger to national security," Montgomery added.

The ships include two replenishment ships, one fleet oiler, a dozen Spearhead-class Expeditionary Fast Transports, and two forward-deployed Navy expeditionary sea bases – the USS Lewis Puller, based in Bahrain, and the USS Herschel "Woody" Williams, based in Souda Bay, Greece.

The Navy obviously has some legitimate concerns that it needs to address. However, what it has focused on is still an issue that does nothing to make it a more elite fighting force.

On Saturday, the U.S. Navy commissioned a new submarine. This particular vessel is unique because it is “Gender Neutral,” meaning it’s the first vessel in its fleet designed to fully integrate male and female sailors.

The USS New Jersey, a Virginia-class fast-attack submarine, was commissioned at Naval Weapons Station Earle in Middletown, New Jersey.

The New Jersey’s commanding officer, Cmdr. Steve Halle addressed the submarine’s crew during the ceremony.

"You operate the most complex platform on the planet, and you continuously strive for excellence. I’m amazed and humbled at what we have accomplished."

"Our superior professionalism is enhanced by our crew integration and our diversity. We have exceeded expectations at every turn and overcome every obstacle set before us."

So, what exactly does “Gender Neutral” or “Gender Integrated” mean? When the Navy lifted its ban on women in submarines in 2010, concern about the tight living quarters and lack of privacy prompted the Navy to retrofit subs and designate washrooms.

"The USS New Jersey was designed to accommodate both genders from the beginning, with features such as increased privacy in washrooms and sleeping areas," Vice Admiral Robert Gaucher, commander of Submarine Forces Atlantic, told NorthJersey.com. Access to top bunks and overhead valves was also designed with the height, reach, and strength of women in mind.

The nuclear-powered submarine was unofficially nicknamed "Jersey Girl," and its interior spaces were decorated with posters and memorabilia representing the state, including a guitar signed by Jon Bon Jovi.

I don’t know about you, but I’ll sleep much better tonight, knowing we now have a submarine that will allow women to be more comfortable. It’s incredibly comforting to know that access to top bunks and overhead valves was also designed with the height, reach, and strength of women in mind.

While China and Russia contemplate joining forces, and Iran has just placed satellites in orbit and is drawing closer to nuclear capabilities, have no fear. We now have the “Jersey Girl” Sub, complete with weaker valves, New Jersey paraphernalia, and an autographed Bon Jovi guitar.

Sleep well, America; the Navy obviously has its priorities in order.