Quick Hit:

The U.S. Navy officially commissioned the USS New Jersey on Saturday, its first "gender-neutral" submarine designed to fully accommodate both male and female sailors.

Key Details:

• The USS New Jersey, a fast-attack submarine, was commissioned at Naval Weapons Station Earle, New Jersey, with a crew of nearly 135 Navy personnel.

• The submarine, the first in its class designed to fully integrate male and female sailors, features gender-neutral living accommodations, such as supposedly enhanced privacy in washrooms and sleeping quarters.

• Commanding Officer Cmdr. Steve Halle praised the crew during the commissioning ceremony for their professionalism and diversity, which he said had “exceeded expectations” and strengthened the team’s overall performance.

Diving Deeper:

On Saturday, the U.S. Navy commissioned the USS New Jersey, the first "gender-neutral" submarine in the fleet designed to accommodate both male and female sailors from the outset. According to a report from Fox News, the Virginia-class fast-attack submarine was introduced during a ceremony at Naval Weapons Station Earle in Middletown, New Jersey.

The USS New Jersey's commanding officer, Cmdr. Steve Halle, addressed the crew during its commissioning, making note of the vessel's superior "diversity." "Our superior professionalism is enhanced by our crew integration and our diversity," Halle remarked, noting how the ship’s mixed-gender crew had met every obstacle with success. 

The integration of genders on the USS New Jersey comes after the 2010 decision to allow women to serve on submarines, which previously posed logistical issues concerning privacy and tight living quarters. In response, earlier submarines were retrofitted to provide separate washrooms and sleeping areas for female sailors. However, the USS New Jersey was designed from the start with gender integration in mind. As Vice Admiral Robert Gaucher, commander of Submarine Forces Atlantic, explained, the submarine’s accommodations feature increased privacy in washrooms and bunk spaces to meet the needs of both male and female sailors.

Nicknamed "Jersey Girl," the submarine also carries memorabilia celebrating the state of New Jersey, including a guitar signed by rock legend Jon Bon Jovi. The nuclear-powered vessel is 377 feet long with a beam of 34 feet, capable of diving to depths greater than 800 feet and reaching speeds of over 25 knots. It is the third Navy ship named after the state, following the historic battleship BB-62, which saw action during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.