A new brand of veteran

Today is Memorial Day, a day when we celebrate and honor those who fought in various American conflicts with parades, services and barbecues.  Most of these honorees are men.  Many are women, but never has there been a possibility for a woman in this type of service...

Until now.

As someone who works in the power industry, I witness the fraternity of veterans every day.  Almost every story contains "when I was in the military..."  If you work in fossil, as I do now, you find lots of folks from the Army, Marines, etc... but if you work in nuclear, most of those folks were in the Navy.  And not just the Navy...they were on nuclear submarines.  They received the necessary training to operate a small, submersible version of the plants that generate 20% of our nation's power.

Submarines are very fraternal organizations.  The power industry in particular has a streak of "men only" running through it that can only be cured with the eventual retirement of that frame of mind (may it be soon).  Arguments against women's inclusion in the submarine missions include health effects of radiation on their reproductive systems, possible pregnancies, and their competence under pressure.  From today's Boston.com article:

“It won’t work,’’ said Joseph Shook, a retired Navy veteran from Texas who spent seven years on submarines. “I know from contact with a large number of submarine veterans, and current sailors and officers, over 99 percent do not wish to see it happen.

"Although not everyone may agree with the Navy’s decision to change the policy, allowing women to serve on submarines is necessary to maintain a high mission readiness,’’ Bruner said in an e-mail to the Globe.

"Women are earning more science and engineering degrees nationwide than men, the admiral said, which is a critical specialty aboard nuclear submarines. In addition, the submarine service affords women another avenue for advancement in a military that wants to retain good officers."

Congratulations, Elizabeth Hudson and Rachel Lessard.  Your courage has created a new form of American veteran, and a new crop of women in industry.  Others will follow.  Thank you.