Is it healthy to live aboard a nuclear submarine?

The common person does not know much about nuclear submarines, so the
issue of health is in the dark. The navy exclaims its healthy
victorious journey through time and sea, but all tales are not told.
I would not feel guilty or shameful to say that the basic heath of
submariners is ignored. Granted it is up to each person to maintain
their own health, but one can only go so far to overcome daily
restrictions and obstacles.

There is a revolving 18 hour day which in itself is somewhat
unnatural. Some scientist somewhere figured out that this was the
most efficient means of operation. Those said scientists have not
probably bothered to place themselves on the recommended schedule for
an extended period of time.

Often you are not allowed to exercise for atmosphere control and due
to mission regulations. Other times, being up for 36 - 52 hours
naturally (if it may be stated that way) kills any desire to maintain
your body or health.

Most fresh food is gone within a week. The meal quality, which is
supposed to be among the best in the fleet, is its own topic.

On frequent occasions, and against federal safety rules in place, my
command officers found it necessary to paint major portions of the
boat while underwater. This was not usually accomplished out of
necessity, but for shipboard beautification. To claim the commanding
officers usual status, ignorance, would be inappropriate on all
levels. Not only were people painting, but on several occasions a
large portion of the crew was sectioned off to be part of the "paint
team." During these exercises, many of these crew members had no job
other than to paint the boat while it was under water.

Not all members of the crew were allowed to use respirators, and some
were even prohibited from using them as they could not receive them
because they had not attended the training course. The main source of
filtration while underwater are those breathing the tainted air. I do
not believe the headache inducing paint huffing abides by the navy
zero tolerance program. Then again, because it is only destructive
and it softens the brain for further brain washing, it might be
acceptable.

The oxygen level is also artificially low. Again, scientists had
decided that it was important for the crew members to have low energy
levels. This is part of the reason that most of the foods are fatty,
and is the whole reason oxygen levels are left below that of the
outside world. This is not a positive if you are naturally a somewhat
depressed person. This effect combined with the lack of sunlight and
general negative atmosphere can quickly spiral you into extreme
depression.

The navy has a physical readiness program, which I am forced to view
as a joke. I have been to about a half dozen commands and have not
seen any reasonable standards enforced or followed. To best point
this out, I only have to think back to the 350 lbs + man that sat my
courts martial. There was a program in place that kicked people out
for being too heavy when I joined the navy. This program was
abolished since too many people were eating their way to freedom.

-=-
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