Women on US Submarines.
Yes, women are allowed to serve on nuclear submarines in the U.S. Navy. This was not always the case, but the policy changed in 2010. The decision was made by then-Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and was part of a larger effort to expand opportunities for women in the military. Initially, the change only applied to officers and was later expanded to enlisted sailors. As of my knowledge cut-off in September 2021, women continue to serve on U.S. Navy submarines.
There were several reasons given historically for not allowing women to serve on submarines.
Privacy and Living Conditions: Submarines are known for their cramped living conditions. The lack of privacy was a concern for both men and women. Submarines did not have separate living facilities for women, and redesigning them to include such facilities was seen as logistically challenging and expensive.
Prolonged Deployment: Submarine deployments can last for several months at a time, and this was considered to pose unique challenges and stressors.
Health Concerns: Historically, some raised potential health concerns, such as the effect of a high-pressure, high-carbon dioxide environment on female reproductive health. However, these concerns have been largely debunked by medical research.
Cultural and Institutional Resistance: Like many other industries, the military has a history of gender-based exclusion and discrimination. This was reflected in the resistance to allowing women to serve on submarines, which was, for many years, a male-only domain.
However, all of these reasons have been overcome or addressed in recent years, leading to the 2010 policy change allowing women to serve on submarines. It's important to note that this change reflects broader societal shifts toward gender equality, as well as evolving military needs and standards.
Yes, theoretically, an all-female crew could be one solution to the privacy concern, as it would eliminate the need for separate accommodations based on gender. However, in practice, such a solution would bring its own complexities.
Firstly, it might perpetuate segregation and could potentially reinforce stereotypes or biases if not carefully managed. Secondly, it could limit the ability to shift crews and personnel between different vessels based on changing needs, as the Navy might not always have enough trained female submariners to fully staff a vessel.
The optimal solution, and the one that many navies including the U.S. Navy have pursued, is to modify submarines to accommodate mixed-gender crews. This allows for the greatest flexibility in crew assignments, while also ensuring that all personnel, regardless of gender, have the opportunity to serve in any role for which they are qualified.
By my last knowledge update in September 2021, the U.S. Navy had already been integrating women into submarine crews for over a decade, suggesting that the practical issues associated with mixed-gender crews can be successfully managed.
Title: "Deep Dive Divas"
Logline: The world of international espionage and brinkmanship meets fun, friendship, and fabulousness under the sea aboard the USS Hilarity, the U.S. Navy's first all-female nuclear submarine crew. From Cold War relics to existential threats, no crisis is too big for these 'Deep Dive Divas' to navigate—with a good dose of humor.
Pitch:
In "Deep Dive Divas," we follow the unconventional lives of an all-woman crew of a U.S. nuclear submarine. Captain Jennifer "Jen" Steadman, a veteran submariner with an irreverent sense of humor, leads her crew as they handle both typical submarine operations and unusual geopolitical crises. With a backdrop reminiscent of the tension-filled Cuban Missile Crisis, their primary mission is to prevent any potential nuclear conflict and keep the world safe - all while battling everyday issues of privacy, camaraderie, and even culinary disasters in their underwater home.
Jen's second-in-command is Lieutenant Danielle "Dani" Robinson, a straight-laced, by-the-book officer. Dani's earnest attempts to maintain decorum aboard the USS Hilarity often set her up as the perfect comedic foil to Jen's more laid-back style. The interplay between Jen's improvisational problem-solving approach and Dani's rigid adherence to the rules creates both friction and funny situations.
There's also Sonar Technician Molly "Echo" Davis, who seems to know everyone's secrets before they do and uses this to comic effect. The ship's doctor, Lieutenant Sarah "Doc" Jenkins, is hilariously overprepared, with a bag full of everything from nuclear radiation antidotes to indigestion pills for questionable submarine cuisine. And, of course, we can't forget the overly enthusiastic new recruit Ensign Lisa "Guppy" Morris, whose naive optimism and frequent misinterpretations of naval terminology create ongoing laughter.
"Deep Dive Divas" plays on the tension between the serious, often stark nature of the submarine environment and the buoyant humor of the crew. The all-female team grapples with comedic takes on classic naval challenges and geopolitical crises, from disarming rogue undersea drones to dealing with an antiquated Russian submarine commander who can't believe he's being outmaneuvered by an all-women crew.
This sitcom offers the unique opportunity to laugh at the absurdity of geopolitics and the paradoxes of life on a nuclear submarine. The pressure of the deep sea and the potential nuclear annihilation can be heavy, but as the 'Deep Dive Divas' prove, it's nothing a bit of laughter and teamwork can't handle.
"Deep Dive Divas" is "The Office" meets "The Hunt for Red October" - a submarine comedy where the stakes are high, the quarters are close, and the laughter is plentiful.
INT. SUBMARINE - CONTROL ROOM - DAY
The red WARNING LIGHT is flashing, and a beeping ALARM fills the control room. CAPTAIN JEN STEADMAN is huddled with LT. DANIELLE "DANI" ROBINSON over a control panel, a sense of urgency in the air.
JEN (Frantically looking at readouts) I don't get it. All the indicators say we have a leak, but there's no sign of it anywhere!
DANI (Eyeing the control panel) We need to double-check all sections. I'll round up the crew.
CUT TO:
INT. SUBMARINE - CREW QUARTERS - MOMENTS LATER
The crew is huddled together. Dani is mid-briefing.
DANI (Tightly) We have a potential leak situation. We need to find it ASAP. So, ladies, let's fan out, keep your eyes peeled.
ENSIGN LISA "GUPPY" MORRIS raises her hand timidly.
GUPPY (Nervously) Um, what does a leak look like? I mean, in a submarine.
Everyone STARES.
MOLLY "ECHO" DAVIS, the sonar technician, can't help but chuckle.
ECHO (Grinning) Oh, Guppy, when you see it, you'll know.
CUT TO:
INT. SUBMARINE - VARIOUS SECTIONS - LATER
The crew scours different parts of the sub with flashlights. We see several humorous instances of misidentified "leaks" - condensation from a cold pipe, spilled water near a sink, and even a crew member's teary-eyed breakdown over a broken nail.
CUT TO:
INT. SUBMARINE - MESS HALL - SAME
Guppy is seen examining a JUICE DISPENSER suspiciously. She tentatively pokes at it, and suddenly juice spurts out, splashing her face.
GUPPY (Yells) I found the leak!
CUT TO:
INT. SUBMARINE - CONTROL ROOM - SAME
Jen and Dani, hearing Guppy's yell over the intercom, exchange a worried glance.
CUT TO:
INT. SUBMARINE - MESS HALL - MOMENTS LATER
Jen and Dani rush in, looking concerned, to find Guppy, drenched in juice, holding a loose juice nozzle.
GUPPY (Defensively) I swear it looked like a leak!
Jen starts LAUGHING uncontrollably, clutching her stomach. Dani can't help but join in. Even Guppy starts giggling. Echo and the others, hearing the laughter over the intercom, start laughing too.
JEN (Wiping a tear from her eye) Well, at least we found our leak!
As everyone laughs, the WARNING LIGHT in the control room turns off. The crisis is averted, replaced by the shared laughter of the crew.
FADE OUT.
Sure, here is a mock-up of a season 1 episode guide in a markdown format:
| No. in series | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "The Deep End" | Jane Doe | John Smith | 2023-06-21 | The crew of the USS Hilarity is introduced. Captain Jen Steadman and her team face their first mission: tracking down an unidentified underwater object. |
| 2 | "Leaky Situation" | Jane Doe | Mary Johnson | 2023-06-28 | A false leak alarm turns into a humorous misadventure when Guppy misidentifies a juice dispenser as the source of the leak. |
| 3 | "Cuban Rendezvous" | Alan Smithee | John Smith | 2023-07-05 | A blast from the past! The crew comes face to face with a retired Soviet submarine, leading to hilarious Cold War throwback moments. |
| 4 | "Oh Captain, My Captain" | Jane Doe | Samantha Brown | 2023-07-12 | Jen is mistaken for a pirate by a civilian ship's crew, leading to a comedic play of errors as they try to "rescue" her. |
| 5 | "All's Fair in Love and War" | Alan Smithee | Samantha Brown | 2023-07-19 | On a reconnaissance mission, the crew stages a mock war game, which quickly turns into a prank war. |
| 6 | "Submarine Showdown" | Jane Doe | Mary Johnson | 2023-07-26 | An overly enthusiastic new recruit on a rival submarine challenges the Hilarity crew to a high-stakes race. |
| 7 | "Echo's Echo" | Alan Smithee | John Smith | 2023-08-02 | Echo begins hearing a mysterious signal that leads the crew on a wild goose chase, only to discover it was her own forgotten music playlist. |
| 8 | "Seaworthy Soiree" | Jane Doe | Samantha Brown | 2023-08-09 | In the middle of the ocean, the crew manages to throw a surprise birthday party for Dani, complete with an undersea-themed cake. |
| 9 | "Deep Dive Divas Assemble" | Alan Smithee | Mary Johnson | 2023-08-16 | The crew has to prevent a potential nuclear crisis, using their quick wit, creativity, and lots of duct tape. |
| 10 | "Submerged and Surfaced" | Jane Doe | John Smith | 2023-08-23 | Season Finale: The USS Hilarity ends up being the surprise guest at a seaside wedding when they surface in the wrong location. Laughter ensues as they navigate the wedding party, and Jen delivers an impromptu, hilarious wedding toast. |
Note: The directors and writers are placeholders and can be replaced with appropriate names for your project. The air dates are made up as well, based on a weekly release schedule.
Absolutely! Here's a mockup of Season 3, where "Deep Dive Divas" has truly hit its stride, using its humor and humanity to take on deeper global issues in a thoughtful, yet uplifting manner.
| No. in series | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | "All Hands on Deck" | Jane Doe | Samantha Brown | 2024-06-01 | The season starts with the Divas mediating a minor conflict between two island nations, using an inventive mix of diplomacy, humor, and an impromptu volleyball match. |
| 22 | "From the Depths" | Alan Smithee | Mary Johnson | 2024-06-08 | The Divas discover an underwater monument reminding them of the horrors of war. The crew reflects on their role in maintaining peace, leading to heartwarming scenes mixed with their usual camaraderie and comedy. |
| 23 | "Unseen Horizons" | Jane Doe | John Smith | 2024-06-15 | The crew rescues a stranded environmental scientist and helps him continue his mission to document the effects of climate change on marine life, with hilarious efforts to capture elusive aquatic creatures. |
| 24 | "All Is Fair in Love and Submarines" | Alan Smithee | Samantha Brown | 2024-06-22 | In this laugh-out-loud episode, the crew stages a mock "Submarine Idol" singing competition, broadcasting their renditions of popular songs to lift the spirits of naval forces worldwide. |
| 25 | "Crossed Wires" | Jane Doe | Mary Johnson | 2024-06-29 | A comical mix-up leads to a live broadcast of the crew's candid conversations about life and peace in the military, touching hearts worldwide and resulting in an outpouring of public support. |
| 26 | "Ripple Effect" | Alan Smithee | John Smith | 2024-07-06 | A simple act of kindness by Guppy sets off a chain of events leading to a de-escalation of a potential international crisis, proving the power of humanity even in geopolitical standoffs. |
| 27 | "Beneath the Surface" | Jane Doe | Samantha Brown | 2024-07-13 | In this deeply moving episode, the Divas join forces with an old enemy submarine to rescue a group of trapped oceanic researchers, highlighting their shared commitment to saving lives above all. |
| 28 | "Uncharted Waters" | Alan Smithee | Mary Johnson | 2024-07-20 | The crew encounters a group of refugee rafters lost at sea and, after a series of humorous attempts, manages to secure them safe passage to asylum. |
| 29 | "Sound of Silence" | Jane Doe | John Smith | 2024-07-27 | During a 24-hour silent run drill, the crew finds unique, often hilarious ways to communicate, culminating in a silent dance-off. The episode serves as a metaphor for the importance of understanding beyond words. |
| 30 | "Tides of Change" | Alan Smithee | Samantha Brown | 2024-08-03 | Season Finale: In a touching speech at the United Nations, broadcasted live from the USS Hilarity, Captain Jen speaks about their adventures, imploring world leaders to remember the shared laughter and humanity when making their decisions. The world watches and laughs along, promoting a wave of unity and peace. |
Again, please note that the directors and writers are placeholders, and the air dates are made up, based on
Season 7, Episode 15 - "Safe Harbor"
The final season of "Deep Dive Divas" culminates in an emotional but hopeful series finale that ties together the themes of friendship, peace, and personal growth that have underscored the show's unlikely but deeply impactful journey.
The crew of the USS Hilarity is embarking on their final voyage together. Their mission: to deliver a globally-signed treaty of nuclear disarmament to an international summit, a treaty brought about largely due to the goodwill and diplomacy they've shown over the years.
As they traverse familiar waters, each member of the crew has a moment to reflect on their journey. Jen is sitting alone in the Captain's quarters, poring over an old album filled with candid pictures, prank snapshots, and snapshots of triumphant moments. She smiles, laughs, and even sheds a tear or two as she reminisces about the journey.
Meanwhile, the others are organizing a surprise for Jen - a heartwarming farewell gift. Guppy, now not so green and more confident, is directing operations. They're creating a scrapbook of their own, filled with messages from each crew member about what the Captain, and the journey, has meant to them.
The submarine arrives at the summit location, and the treaty is successfully delivered. As the world celebrates, the crew has a quieter celebration in the mess hall. Guppy gives Jen the scrapbook. As Jen flips through the pages, she is moved to tears by the heartfelt messages and memories shared by the crew. The room echoes with laughter and soft sobs as the crew shares their favorite memories together.
The episode ends with a series of flash-forwards, showing where each crew member ends up. Dani, ever the rule-follower, becomes an instructor at the naval academy. Echo starts a successful podcast about life at sea. Guppy becomes captain of her own submarine, showing the same spark of leadership Jen saw in her from day one. As for Jen, she retires from naval service and becomes a peace ambassador, continuing the work she started on the USS Hilarity.
The very last scene is a quiet one: Jen at her new home, a cozy house by the sea. She's sitting on a porch swing, the scrapbook in her lap. She looks out at the setting sun over the ocean, a peaceful smile on her face. She closes the scrapbook and we see its cover: "Deep Dive Divas - Voyage of a Lifetime". A soft laugh escapes her lips as she whispers to herself, "What a ride."
Fade out to the sound of the sea and the closing credits. The screen then transitions to a special thank you message to the fans for being part of this remarkable journey. "Wherever we are," it reads, "we'll always be Deep Dive Divas at heart."
The show ends on a poignant note, leaving the audience with a sense of closure, gratitude, and the knowledge that the spirit of the 'Deep Dive Divas' will live on, in their hearts and the world they've changed.