In a historic shift toward inclusivity and gender equality, the U.S. Navy has taken a significant step by introducing the future USS New Jersey, a Virginia-class submarine designed from the ground up with gender integration in mind.

This milestone was marked by the vessel’s recent delivery to the Navy on April 25, 2024, a moment met with pride and excitement among both naval officials and shipbuilders.

The USS New Jersey (SSN 796), the third naval vessel named after the Garden State, represents not just a tribute to the state’s rich naval history but also embodies the Navy’s evolving approach to accommodating a diverse crew.

With its predecessor, the BB 62, seeing action in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, the new submarine carries on the legacy with an eye on the future.

Capt. Mike Hollenbach, the Virginia Class Submarine program manager, expressed enthusiasm about the progress, stating, “We are excited that another Virginia-class submarine has taken a major step toward deploying with our fleet and enhancing our Navy’s warfighting capabilities.”

The 377-feet-long submarine, notable for being the first of its kind designed with gender integration from the start, showcases the Navy’s last large-scale gender integration effort launched back in 2011.

This move acknowledges the increasing role of women in the submarine community, with 609 women reportedly assigned to operational submarines as of October.

U.S. Rep. Donald Norcross highlighted the significance of the submarine’s design for females in the Navy, emphasizing that “This new submarine is designed to better accommodate a mixed-gender crew without giving up any tactical capabilities.”

The representative from New Jersey also emphasized the vessel’s role in honoring the state and creating opportunities for women in the service.

Cmdr. Steve Hall is set to lead the submarine as her Commanding Officer, with the commissioning ceremony planned for September 14 in New Jersey.

The submarine’s sponsor, Ms. Susan DiMarco, a retired dentist and spouse of Jeh Johnson, former Secretary for the Department of Homeland Security, christened SSN 796 at the HII-NNS shipyard on Nov. 13, 2021.

The delivery of the USS New Jersey comes amidst challenges such as workforce shortages and supply chain issues, which have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The submarine’s construction took about five years, with Jason Ward, HII’s vice president of Virginia-class submarine construction, commending the team’s dedication to delivering “a high-quality submarine like New Jersey to the fleet,” while upholding safety and quality standards.

Aside from its gender-integrated design, the Virginia-class submarines are renowned for their enhanced stealth, sophisticated surveillance capabilities, and special warfare enhancements.

These characteristics make them a formidable addition to the Navy’s arsenal, capable of meeting the multi-mission requirements essential for 21st-century warfare.

Relevant articles:
– Gender no longer matters on U.S. submarine named for New Jersey, New Jersey 101.5
– Future USS New Jersey Delivers to U.S. Navy, United States Navy (.mil)
– HII Delivers Attack Boat New Jersey to Navy, USNI News
– A very special Jersey attraction is set to open for the season, New Jersey 101.5