On extended patrols, what I have found is that we get goofy. I honestly do not recall short tempers ever being a problem. Maybe the cooks put something in our chow (Kidding). Silly goofy things were done to break the monotony that would never draw a laugh in port, but would be crazy funny after a month or so at sea. The only time I remember threatening to punch someone out was during a Royal Bluenose ceremony. They do some weird stuff and make you eat some weird stuff, but it is a tradition. They made some concoction consisting of a variety of hot peppers and I refused it, because I am allergic, they did not believe me, so I almost had to do some punching out. but the doc Intervened and confirmed my food allergy. That is the only time I ever had to physically threaten a shipmate. I was not about to suffer an allergic reaction to appease the Royal order of the bluenose.
All in all, I believe that we became more like family in a way. So I think if there are Sub sailors out there who snap from being at sea, it may be that there are issues at hand regarding the overall morale of the crew.
