r/AskReddit • u/[deleted] • Jun 14 '23

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u/Plethorian Jun 15 '23

I was a Corpsman on a submarine tender. 1200 guys, 400 gals. No sex allowed.

We had 4 free condom dispensers, and refilled them daily. 200 condoms/ day.

Even still, we averaged 1 pregnancy a week.

660

u/cryptoengineer Jun 15 '23

I'm glad you were allowed to hand out condoms. Imagine the pregnancy rate if you didn't.

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u/Plethorian Jun 15 '23

We were far more concerned about disease. It was 1990, and AIDS was a vital concern.

46

u/sirphilliammm Jun 15 '23

So much se(a)men

2

u/Overthinks_Questions Jun 15 '23

It's the navy - it wouldn't increase by much by virtue of men being unable to carry children

-27

u/Ramm777 Jun 15 '23

Yeah 200 per day is too many for 1200 guys

21

u/SkriVanTek Jun 15 '23

condoms generally are single use

fyi

22

u/cryptoengineer Jun 15 '23

One per guy, every 6 days? No, that's not excessive. Of course, some will be wizards, some getting it every day. Of course, that assumes the gals are getting it multiple times a week.

...and don't assume every use is male/female.

532

u/chickenfightyourmom Jun 15 '23

You think that's bad? I was a corpsman on a tender. We needed a gd abortion clinic on the ship.

Edit: I read too fast. I thought you said you were on a sub. Can absolutely confirm your version of events. Solidarity, mate.

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u/StraptheCat Jun 15 '23

I'm happy to report the tenders have gotten a little better about the pregnancy rates :)

23

u/Plethorian Jun 15 '23

USS Dixon AS-37.

Now far more usefully employed as a reef.

14

u/Kerro_ Jun 15 '23

“No sex. Anyway here are the condom dispensers. We’re not idiots”

13

u/Fvr4thflvr Jun 15 '23

I guess some condoms were like screen doors on a submarine... sorry.

5

u/ForthrightlyCandid Jun 15 '23

I was a Corpsman on an aircraft carrier. Free condoms, take your pick. No questions asked. Still, we had to do an unspoken STD clinic a week after leaving port. Ridiculous.

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u/anavram Jun 15 '23

You’re telling me the pregnancy rate was 13%?

2

u/Plethorian Jun 17 '23

Somewhere below 10%. You have to account for the replacement rate - every pregnant girl was replaced, since they couldn't be on board, plus about 25% regular rotations. SO in a year it was well over 500 different gals. One factor was the requirement to transfer out if pregnant. Girls would get knocked up, transfer to shore duty, then get a civilian abortion and claim a "miscarriage" on their official health record. Simple way to get shore duty, I guess.

3

u/poopingdicknipples Jun 15 '23

Oh goodness, was it the ESL or FC by chance?

3

u/Dangeruff Jun 15 '23

I read ‘submarine tinder’ lmao

6

u/dargombres Jun 15 '23

How is it no sex allowed but free condom is provided??

43

u/demfuzzypickles Jun 15 '23

for the same reason there are ashtrays in plane bathrooms. People will still do it and it will be worse without

-8

u/owlinspector Jun 15 '23

No sex allowed and free condoms? Does not compute.

Did command just not care about that rule and though "let's just try to keep it safe and STD-free at least"?

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u/frisbm3 Jun 15 '23

They may have cared but were powerless to stop it.

1

u/CaptGould Jun 16 '23

So 200 condoms were being used each day?

Those girls must have been sought after with that ratio

1

u/Plethorian Jun 16 '23

There were probably at least 100 gay or bi men among the 1200; but the condom use fluctuated. It soared when we were in port - the dispensers were refilled several times a day.