Waller describes the culture of the post-Tailhook navy, viewed by old-timers as obscenely PC, but accepted as more appropriate by more recent pilots, but everyone on red alert against any hint of sexual harassment. Clearly though, the Navy is better for having done away with the stupid inanities of Tailhook activity. Submariners weren’t part of the sexual childishness that had become an aviator’s ritual, but discussions continue about the role of women on submarines. Several men Waller interviewed on the Nebraska, a Trident submarine, believe that with money and the will, the navy could easily make the adjustment, and that many of the arguments now used to keep them off just don’t make sense, but the money isn’t there, so for the foreseeable future it’s unlikely that submarines will ever see mixed crews.
Days are long on these subs, twelve to sixteen hour days being common. Study is constant and both officers and men are expected to learn as much as possible about their jobs and the workings of the sub. Drills are constant, all the way from simulating a crazed member of the crew holding another hostage, making an approach on an enemy submarine, simulating leaks, or even shutting down systems to see how the crew will react and fix the problem.
I just love the little technical details. For example, I was unaware that multiple factors affect the sub’s trim: the saltier the water, the lighter the sub; as it dives deeper the sub’s hull can compress as much as a foot, so the decks are hung on huge rubber washers both for silence and to accommodate the expansion and compression. Spare parts are moved around, food is consumed and expelled, all of these things affect the sub’s balance so “driving” one becomes a matter of experience and skill. Since they have no keel, they are incredibly rough on the surface and many get seasick. They all prefer being underwater where the sub’s motion is silky-smooth.
The depth to which the newer subs can dive is classified, but it’s well below 800 feet and because the hulls deform slightly while in harbor, a test dive to check for leaks is imperative at the beginning of each patrol that usually lasts about three months. Silence is imperative and all pipes and fittings are rubberized so that no noise might be transmitted to the outside where they could be heard by another sub or surface vessel, and there are signs all over the boat warning against slamming doors, dropping weights, or any loud noise; even slight noises like running water are prohibited during the really silent running. No Russian sub ever located a Trident.
The three month cruises are especially hard on the wives who are almost forced into cliques by the Navy. They are discouraged from building friendships outside the Navy family so as to lessen the chance of revealing secrets such as when a sub might be sailing or returning to port. Unlike surface ships’ crews there can be no communications between the men and their families. During periods of tension a medical emergency on the boat has to be dealt with by the ship’s pharmacy mate; no evacuations or communications with the shore are permitted. Each team of wives has an ombudswoman appointed by the captain and it’s her responsibility to help out with difficulties the wives might be having. It is a job taken seriously and can be quite demanding. It’s a rare day when they are not called upon to help out with problems that range from the mundane — paycheck problems or household repairs — to serious, e.g. the death of a child or severe illness.
Certainly one leaves this book in awe of those who make the grade and work at these very demanding job assignments.
