The U.S. Navy made history on Saturday by commissioning its first-ever coed submarine, the USS New Jersey, marking a new era of inclusivity beneath the oceans’ surface.
“USS New Jersey (SSN 796) is now commissioned and ready for service!” the Navy proudly announced in a post on X. “The Navy’s latest Virginia-class submarine joins the fleet.”
USS New Jersey is the “first fully integrated submarine built for both male and female sailors” in the 100-year history of submarines, according to the video posted by the Navy.
“It is an honor that we are the first to have this slice of that particular narrative,” one woman who appears to be a member of the Navy said in the video.
It’s “a testament to the strength that diversity brings to our Navy,” the voiceover in the video said.
Men and women will operate the sub “side by side” for the first time, “united in purpose, skill and determination,” the voiceover proclaimed.
The video noted that the addition of the USS New Jersey to the Navy fleet is “a symbol of progress” that is “breaking barriers as it protects our shores.”
“New Jersey is representative of the future of the submarine force and integrating this boat is a long time coming,” the woman in the video said.
“This is really the first time that the Navy is truly planning for the future regarding manning and taking advantage of the entire population for finding those rare humans that can be and should be submariners,” a second woman in the video, who also appears to be in the Navy, said.