U.S. Navy Commissions First Gender-Integrated Submarine

The USS New Jersey, designed to accommodate both male and female sailors, joins the fleet as a symbol of progress and diversity.

The USS New Jersey, a Virginia-class fast-attack submarine, was commissioned at Naval Weapons Station Earle in Middletown, New Jersey.
This is the first U.S. submarine built with gender-neutral accommodations, including enhanced privacy in washrooms and sleeping areas.
The submarine's design includes modifications like easier access to top bunks and overhead valves, addressing the needs of female sailors.
The move follows the 2010 lifting of the ban on women serving aboard submarines, aiming for 33 integrated crews by 2030.
The USS New Jersey is the third Navy ship named after the state, following notable battleships that served in WWII, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.