I believe that “Don’t put women on subs” (letter, March 11) is way off the mark.

I understand that being locked up in a metal tube for months on end is a stressful job, but women are just as capable, if not more capable, than men.

Women’s ability to handle mentally stressful situations was one of the main areas of concern when a study was done on whether women should be allowed to conduct combat air missions. The women passed this challenge with flying colors.

Using the defense that the submarine corps, SEALs, or airborne units are the best “men’s club in the world” cries of bias, not ability. I spent 24 years in the military, and I have worked for the military for all of the 12 years since my retirement. In that time I have met many women I would prefer to work with than a majority of the men I served with.

A person’s sex is no more of a reason to deny women the chance to serve in their area of choice than color, race, etc. In fact, I believe it is still against both civil and military law to discriminate against anyone for these reasons.

[For those who] don’t want women on subs, then at least present viable arguments rather than saying that it’s a “men’s club,” which is right out of the Victorian age.

Master Sgt. Robert R. Allen (retired)Landstuhl, Germany

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