As a former submariner, I can tell you that the USN
does allow personnel electronic devices (ereaders, MP3 players, laptops, etc.) on board. However, we also have a small area (about the size of a kitchen cabinet on attack submarines and holds about 50 books) to store physical books. I suspect that the NeRD will replace the physical books. This will free up another area to store items (critical parts, dry goods, etc.) Space is always at a premium on board.
Several of the sailors I worked with only read underway, and only read what was in the ship's library. This way, several more books (300 in place of 50) would be available. As far as loading new books, the device may have an internal microXD chip that could be replaced on shore at a facility with special tools.
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Creepy. Manipulation. Propaganda only. Misinformation. Brainwashing. Creepy
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I disagree with this. The concept of preloading the books is no different than being limited by which books a library chooses to offer. Since these ereaders are not and will not be the only method sailors can read, the choice of what to read is still in the hands of the individuals.