Rosemary Bryant Mariner
Encyclopedia
Captain Rosemary Bryant Mariner was one of the first six women to earn their wings as a United States Naval Aviator
in 1974.
She was the first female military aviator to achieve command of an operational air squadron.
in December 1972 at age 19 with a degree in Aviation Technology. She had earned FAA flight engineer and pilot ratings before she joined the Navy.
While in the Navy
, Mariner earned a Master's degree
in National Security Strategy
from the National War College
.
. The other five women to earn their wings were Barbara Allen Rainey
, Jane Skiles O'Dea
, Judith Ann Neuffer
, Ana Marie Fuqua, and Joellen Drag. Mariner was among the first female military aviators to fly tactical jet aircraft, the A-4E/L Skyhawk
, in 1975. In 1976, she converted to the A-7E Corsair II, the first woman to fly a front-line light attack aircraft.
In 1990 Mariner became the first military woman to command an operational aviation squadron and was selected for major aviation shore command.
During Operation Desert Storm
, she commanded Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron Thirty Four (VAQ-34).
Mariner was president of the Women Military Aviators organization from 1991 to 1993.
Mariner retired after twenty-four years of military service, a veteran of seventeen carrier landings with over 3500 military flight hours in fifteen different naval aircraft.
Mariner's career is detailed in several books, including Crossed Currents: Navy Women from World War I to Tailhook, Women in the Military: An Unfinished Revolution, Tailspin: Women at War in the Wake of Tailhook, and Ground Zero: The Gender Wars in the Military.
.
She is a Visiting Fellow with the Center for the Study of War and Society and Lecturer in History Department at the University of Tennessee
at Knoxville.
United States Naval Aviator
A United States Naval Aviator is a qualified pilot in the United States Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard.-Naming Conventions:Most Naval Aviators are Unrestricted Line Officers; however, a small number of Limited Duty Officers and Chief Warrant Officers are also trained as Naval Aviators.Until 1981...
in 1974.
She was the first female military aviator to achieve command of an operational air squadron.
Early life and education
Mariner was born Rosemary Ann Merims. She grew up in San Diego, California, with a keen interest in aircraft and flying. She worked odd jobs and washed aircraft to earn money for flying lessons and flight time. She graduated from Purdue UniversityPurdue University
Purdue University, located in West Lafayette, Indiana, U.S., is the flagship university of the six-campus Purdue University system. Purdue was founded on May 6, 1869, as a land-grant university when the Indiana General Assembly, taking advantage of the Morrill Act, accepted a donation of land and...
in December 1972 at age 19 with a degree in Aviation Technology. She had earned FAA flight engineer and pilot ratings before she joined the Navy.
While in the Navy
Navy
A navy is the branch of a nation's armed forces principally designated for naval and amphibious warfare; namely, lake- or ocean-borne combat operations and related functions...
, Mariner earned a Master's degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
in National Security Strategy
National Security Strategy
National Security Strategy may refer to—* National Security Strategy * National Security Strategy * National Security Strategy...
from the National War College
National War College
The National War College of the United States is a school in the National Defense University. It is housed in Roosevelt Hall on Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C., the third-oldest Army post still active. It was officially established on July 1, 1946, as an upgraded replacement for the...
.
Navy career
Rosemary Bryant Mariner (then Rosemary B. Conatser) joined the Naval service in 1973 after being selected as one of the first eight women to enter military pilot training. She completed women's Officer Candidate School in Newport, RI, then headed to Pensacola, FL for flight training. She was designated a naval Aviator in June 1974, one of the first six women to earn their wings as a United States Naval AviatorUnited States Naval Aviator
A United States Naval Aviator is a qualified pilot in the United States Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard.-Naming Conventions:Most Naval Aviators are Unrestricted Line Officers; however, a small number of Limited Duty Officers and Chief Warrant Officers are also trained as Naval Aviators.Until 1981...
. The other five women to earn their wings were Barbara Allen Rainey
Barbara Allen Rainey
Barbara Ann Allen Rainey was the first female pilot in the U. S. armed forces. Rainey received her wings of gold as the first female to be designated a naval aviator in February 1974 and became the first Navy woman to qualify as a jet pilot. She attained the rank of Lieutenant Commander in the...
, Jane Skiles O'Dea
Jane Skiles O'Dea
Captain Jane Skiles O'Dea was one of the first six women to earn their wings as Navy pilots in 1974, and was the first woman qualified in the C-130 Hercules. She was also the first Navy woman qualified as a flight instructor...
, Judith Ann Neuffer
Judith Neuffer
Judith Neuffer Bruner is one of the earliest successful examples of women attaining large scale achievement in male-dominated careers starting in the early 1970s. Her contributions to helping shatter the ‘glass ceiling’ for professional women, while not a life goal, were nonetheless significant. ...
, Ana Marie Fuqua, and Joellen Drag. Mariner was among the first female military aviators to fly tactical jet aircraft, the A-4E/L Skyhawk
A-4 Skyhawk
The Douglas A-4 Skyhawk is a carrier-capable ground-attack aircraft designed for the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps. The delta winged, single-engined Skyhawk was designed and produced by Douglas Aircraft Company, and later McDonnell Douglas. It was originally designated the A4D...
, in 1975. In 1976, she converted to the A-7E Corsair II, the first woman to fly a front-line light attack aircraft.
In 1990 Mariner became the first military woman to command an operational aviation squadron and was selected for major aviation shore command.
During Operation Desert Storm
Gulf War
The Persian Gulf War , commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf...
, she commanded Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron Thirty Four (VAQ-34).
Mariner was president of the Women Military Aviators organization from 1991 to 1993.
Mariner retired after twenty-four years of military service, a veteran of seventeen carrier landings with over 3500 military flight hours in fifteen different naval aircraft.
Mariner's career is detailed in several books, including Crossed Currents: Navy Women from World War I to Tailhook, Women in the Military: An Unfinished Revolution, Tailspin: Women at War in the Wake of Tailhook, and Ground Zero: The Gender Wars in the Military.
Retirement
Mariner retired from the Navy with the rank of Captain at the end of 1997 as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS) Professor of Military Studies for the National War CollegeNational War College
The National War College of the United States is a school in the National Defense University. It is housed in Roosevelt Hall on Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C., the third-oldest Army post still active. It was officially established on July 1, 1946, as an upgraded replacement for the...
.
She is a Visiting Fellow with the Center for the Study of War and Society and Lecturer in History Department at the University of Tennessee
University of Tennessee
The University of Tennessee is a public land-grant university headquartered at Knoxville, Tennessee, United States...
at Knoxville.
Publications
- Mariner, Rosemary Bryant, "A Soldier Is A Soldier", Joint Forces Quarterly, Winter 1993–94.
External links
- The Year in Review (1997) Naval Aviation News by William T. Baker
- United States Naval Aviation 1910-1995 from the Naval Historical Center
- Fallen Shipmates - China Lake
- U. S. Centennial of Flight - The Ninety-Nines
- The Ninety-nines: Sixty and Counting
- Study of War & Society - Personnel University of Tennessee Knoxville
- Women Military Aviators