First female submarine officer in German Navy

The newspaper Bild reports that Janine Asseln, 27 years old, serves on the Type 212 U31 submarine, being the 4th watch officer. She was appointed in January, but she had to earn the respect of her fellow crew members first.

"Of course they poke you a little bit and check whether you can do the job", she says.

She is the only female member among 27 men who compound the strong crew. Asseln shares a bunk bed with a male colleague.

"Everybody has their own sleeping bag", she says, pointing out there is a curtain that can be drawn for privacy, in a video on the Sueddeutsche Zeitung website.

Only since 2001, German women have had full access to military careers, after a constitutional ban on serving in armed units was repealed for them.

Bild newspaper specified that Norway already has a female submarine commander. But it adds that in a few years, Janine Asseln may follow suit in Germany.