Well, welcome to the 21st century. The Navy, after careful considerations, years of study, has decided to lift its ban on women on submarines. I think the re-runs of "Star Trek: Voyager" starring Kate Mulgrew as the female captain, Kathryn Janeway, as a lead character, may have added to this decision. Of course, I could be totally wrong. A fictional starship is not a sub, but in the world of the movies and in the literature of the popular culture, they share a lot of the same plot themes. And America is living in a Star Trek world.
Of course everyone in the Navy doesn't agree with this decision to allow women on submarines. They cite close quarters, people bumping into each other as they rush about to duty stations in a crisis -- and the possibility of sexual activity. Well, I bet some might even think that American submarines will become manned with Klingon women! And there will go to Davy Jones, himself, the Navy that they love.