Women in the United States Navy
Encyclopedia
Women have served in the United States Navy
for over a century. Today, there are over 52,391 women serving on active duty in an array of traditional (admin, medical) and non-traditional (aviation, combat systems, special ops) ratings or careers. Like their male counterparts, female Sailors are expected to adhere to regulations, specific to appearance, grooming, and health and physical fitness; however some differences may exist in relation to pregnancy and parenting provisions created to help support military families.
. The United States Navy Nurse Corps
was officially established in 1908. See United States Navy Nurse Corps
for the evolution of the Navy Nurse Corps.
in support of World War I
increased the need for clerical and administrative support. Since Naval Reserve Act of 1916 authorizing the enlistment of yeomen did not specify that they had to be male, the Navy was able to induct its first female sailors into the U. S. Naval Reserve. Women served around the continental U. S. and in France, Guam and Hawaii, mostly as yeomen, but also as radio operators, electricians, draftsmen, pharmacists, photographers, telegraphers, fingerprint experts, chemists, torpedo assemblers and camouflage designers. The women were all released from active duty after the end of the war. See Yeoman (F)
.
again brought the need for additional personnel. This time the Navy organized to recruit women into a separate women's auxiliary, labeled Women Appointed for Voluntary Emergency Service (WAVES). WAVES
served in varied positions around the continental U. S. and in Hawaii. See WAVES
.
, NC, Director of the Navy Nurse Corps since 1968, was spot promoted to Flag rank in 1972, the first female naval officer to be appointed to flag rank. She was followed in 1976 by RADM Fran McKee as the first female unrestricted line officer appointed to flag rank. During this time, women began to enter the surface warfare and aviation fields, gained access to officer accession programs previously open only to men, and women started to screen for command opportunities ashore.
, was disestablished in 1973, and Officer Candidate School
(OCS) training was integrated to support men and women. The United States Naval Academy
, along with the other military academies, first accepted women in 1976 and commissioned its first female graduates in 1980. Women also began attending Aviation Officer Candidate School (AOCS) in 1976.
was the first woman selected for flight training. In 1974, the Navy became the first service to graduate a woman pilot, LT Barbara Allen Rainey
, followed closely by classmates Judith Neuffer
, Ana Marie Fuqua, Rosemary Bryant Mariner
, Jane Skiles O'Dea
and Joellen Drag.
In 1979 the Naval Flight Officer
(NFO) program opened to women.
In 1979, LT Lynn Spruill became the first woman Naval aviator to obtain carrier qualification.
Initial candidates for female Submarine Officer positions will be highly qualified selects from accession sources that include the Naval Academy
, Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps, STA-21
program and Officer Candidate School
, with transfers possible for those from other Unrestricted Line Officer communities. A group of up to eight female Supply Corps Officers is also expected to complete requisite training and begin submarine service in the same time frame.
Initial assignments for female submariners will be on the blue and gold crews of selected guided-missile submarines (SSGN
s) and ballistic-missile submarines (SSBNs). Two submarines of each type will serve as the inaugural vessels and be home ported in Bangor, WA, or Kings Bay, GA.
Physical Readiness Test (PRT). PRT is a series of physical activities designed to evaluate factors that enable members to perform physically. Factors evaluated are:
PT Fitness Standards (NSW/NSO programs only):
The service member requesting transfer to join with his/her spouse or family member must have a minimum of one year on board his/her present command at the time of transfer.
Military couples may not be permanently assigned to the same ship or the same shipboard deployable command. For shore assignments, the couple will not assign to the same reporting senior without the gaining CO’s approval. Unusual circumstances may require a couple being temporarily assigned to the same afloat activity, which is allowable at the CO’s discretion
reported that there was a perception in the Navy that women sailors use pregnancy to escape or avoid deployed ship duty. In an example cited by Zimmerman, in 1993 as the USS Cape Cod
prepared to depart on a deployment cruise, 25 female sailors, out of a crew of 1,500, reported being pregnant shortly before the scheduled departure and were reassigned to shore duty. Although Zimmerman felt that the number of pregnancies was small and should not be regarded as significant, the senior enlisted person on the ship, Command Master Chief Alice Smith rejoined, "Just about every division has been decimated by the number of pregnancies. Now tell me that's not going to hurt a ship." A 1997 study by the Navy Personnel Research and Development Center found that female sailors assigned to ships experienced higher pregnancy and abortion rates than shore-based female sailors.
A Navy policy change in June 2007 extended post-partum tours of duty ashore from 4 months to 12 months. A Virginia Pilot article in October 2007 reported on the Navy's policy decision as a means to improve long term retention of trained personnel. The chief of women's policy for the chief of personnel noted that far more men than women fail to deploy or are sent back from deployment, "because of sports injuries, discipline issues or testing positive for drugs."
In 2009, Andrew Tilghman reported in the Military Times
on a Naval Inspector General (IG) report noting that, in the wake of this change, Navy shore commands based in Norfolk reported that 34% of their assigned members were pregnant sailors reassigned from ship duty. Since shore-based assignments for pregnant sailors were extended in 2007, the number of Navy women leaving deploying units to have children rose from 1,770 in June 2006 to 3,125 as of August 1, 2009. Tilghman further reports that Navy Personnel Command is reviewing the report.
In October 2009, the Secretary of the Navy announced that he and the Chief of Naval Operations
were moving aggressively to change the policy. Reasons included the fact that larger SSGN and SSBN submarines now in the Fleet had more available space and could accommodate female Officers with little or no modification. Also, the availability of qualified female candidates with the desire to serve in this capacity was cited. It was noted that women now represented 15% of the Active Duty Navy and that women today earn about half of all science and engineering bachelor’s degrees. A policy change was deemed to serve the aspirations of women, the mission of the Navy and the strength of its submarine force.
In February 2010, the Secretary of Defense approved the proposed policy and signed letters formally notifying Congress of the intended change. After receiving no objection, the Department of the Navy officially announced on April 29, 2010, that it had authorized women to serve onboard submarines moving forward.
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
for over a century. Today, there are over 52,391 women serving on active duty in an array of traditional (admin, medical) and non-traditional (aviation, combat systems, special ops) ratings or careers. Like their male counterparts, female Sailors are expected to adhere to regulations, specific to appearance, grooming, and health and physical fitness; however some differences may exist in relation to pregnancy and parenting provisions created to help support military families.
Pre–World War I
Women worked as nurses for the Navy as early as the American Civil WarAmerican Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. The United States Navy Nurse Corps
United States Navy Nurse Corps
The United States Navy Nurse Corps was officially established by Congress in 1908; however, unofficially, women had been working as nurses aboard Navy ships and in Navy hospitals for nearly 100 years.-Pre-1908:...
was officially established in 1908. See United States Navy Nurse Corps
United States Navy Nurse Corps
The United States Navy Nurse Corps was officially established by Congress in 1908; however, unofficially, women had been working as nurses aboard Navy ships and in Navy hospitals for nearly 100 years.-Pre-1908:...
for the evolution of the Navy Nurse Corps.
United States Navy Nurse Corps
The United States Navy Nurse Corps was officially established by Congress in 1908; however, unofficially, women had been working as nurses aboard Navy ships and in Navy hospitals for nearly 100 years.-Pre-1908:...
World War I
The increased size of the United States NavyUnited States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
in support of World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
increased the need for clerical and administrative support. Since Naval Reserve Act of 1916 authorizing the enlistment of yeomen did not specify that they had to be male, the Navy was able to induct its first female sailors into the U. S. Naval Reserve. Women served around the continental U. S. and in France, Guam and Hawaii, mostly as yeomen, but also as radio operators, electricians, draftsmen, pharmacists, photographers, telegraphers, fingerprint experts, chemists, torpedo assemblers and camouflage designers. The women were all released from active duty after the end of the war. See Yeoman (F)
Yeoman (F)
Yeoman was a rank in the U.S. Naval Reserve in World War I. The first Yeoman was Loretta Perfectus Walsh. At the time, the women were popularly referred to as "yeomanettes" or even "yeowomen", although the official designation was Yeoman ....
.
World War II
World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
again brought the need for additional personnel. This time the Navy organized to recruit women into a separate women's auxiliary, labeled Women Appointed for Voluntary Emergency Service (WAVES). WAVES
WAVES
The WAVES were a World War II-era division of the U.S. Navy that consisted entirely of women. The name of this group is an acronym for "Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service" ; the word "emergency" implied that the acceptance of women was due to the unusual circumstances of the war and...
served in varied positions around the continental U. S. and in Hawaii. See WAVES
WAVES
The WAVES were a World War II-era division of the U.S. Navy that consisted entirely of women. The name of this group is an acronym for "Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service" ; the word "emergency" implied that the acceptance of women was due to the unusual circumstances of the war and...
.
Korean War era
Women in the Naval Reserve were recalled along with their male counterparts for duty during the Korean War.Vietnam War era
Nurses served aboard the hospital ship USS SANCTUARY. Nine non-nurse Navy women served in country, however no enlisted Navy women were authorized.Women in the Navy since 1972
Major changes occurred for Navy women in the 1970s. CAPT Alene B. DuerkAlene B. Duerk
Rear Admiral Alene Bertha Duerk, USN, was the first woman to be selected for flag rank in the U. S. Navy and was advanced to that rank on June 1, 1972. She was Director of the United States Navy Nurse Corps from 1970 to 1975....
, NC, Director of the Navy Nurse Corps since 1968, was spot promoted to Flag rank in 1972, the first female naval officer to be appointed to flag rank. She was followed in 1976 by RADM Fran McKee as the first female unrestricted line officer appointed to flag rank. During this time, women began to enter the surface warfare and aviation fields, gained access to officer accession programs previously open only to men, and women started to screen for command opportunities ashore.
Officer Accession Programs
The Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) was opened to women in 1972 and the first woman was commissioned from a ROTC program in 1973. The Women Officer School (WOS), Newport, Rhode IslandRhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
, was disestablished in 1973, and Officer Candidate School
Officer Candidate School
Officer Candidate School or Officer Cadet School are institutions which train civilians and enlisted personnel in order for them to gain a commission as officers in the armed forces of a country....
(OCS) training was integrated to support men and women. The United States Naval Academy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
, along with the other military academies, first accepted women in 1976 and commissioned its first female graduates in 1980. Women also began attending Aviation Officer Candidate School (AOCS) in 1976.
Surface warfare
In 1972 the pilot program for assignment of officers and enlisted women to ships was initiated onboard USS SANCTUARY (AH-17). In 1978 Congress approved a change to Title 10 USC Section 6015 to permit the Navy to assign women to fill sea duty billets on support and noncombatant ships. The Surface Warfare community opened to women. In 1979, the first woman obtained her Surface Warfare Officer (SWO) qualification.Aviation
In 1973 the Secretary of the Navy announced the authorization of naval aviation training for women. LTJG Judith NeufferJudith 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. ...
was the first woman selected for flight training. In 1974, the Navy became the first service to graduate a woman pilot, LT 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...
, followed closely by classmates Judith 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, Rosemary Bryant Mariner
Rosemary Bryant Mariner
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.- Early life and education :...
, 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...
and Joellen Drag.
In 1979 the Naval Flight Officer
Naval Flight Officer
A Naval Flight Officer is an aeronautically designated commissioned officer in the United States Navy or United States Marine Corps that specializes in airborne weapons and sensor systems. NFOs are not pilots per se, but they may perform many "co-pilot" functions, depending on the type of aircraft...
(NFO) program opened to women.
In 1979, LT Lynn Spruill became the first woman Naval aviator to obtain carrier qualification.
Submarines
On April 29, 2010, the Department of the Navy announced authorization of a policy change allowing women to begin serving onboard Navy submarines. The new policy and plan is set to begin with the integration of female Officers. A group of up to 24 female Officers (three Officers on each of eight different crews) are scheduled to enter the standard nuclear submarine training pipeline in July 2010 – and expected to report to submarine duty by late 2011 or early 2012. Integration of Enlisted females into submarine crews is expected to begin soon thereafter.Initial candidates for female Submarine Officer positions will be highly qualified selects from accession sources that include the Naval Academy
Naval Academy
-Institutions:* The United States Naval Academy* The Indian Naval Academy of India* The Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy of Bulgaria* The Imperial Japanese Naval Academy* The École Navale of France* The Britannia Royal Naval College of the United Kingdom...
, Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps, STA-21
STA-21
STA-21 or Seaman to Admiral - 21 is the U.S. Navy's commissioning program for the 21st century and is designed to enable active-duty Sailors to get a college degree and become commissioned officers.-History:...
program and Officer Candidate School
Officer Candidate School
Officer Candidate School or Officer Cadet School are institutions which train civilians and enlisted personnel in order for them to gain a commission as officers in the armed forces of a country....
, with transfers possible for those from other Unrestricted Line Officer communities. A group of up to eight female Supply Corps Officers is also expected to complete requisite training and begin submarine service in the same time frame.
Initial assignments for female submariners will be on the blue and gold crews of selected guided-missile submarines (SSGN
SSGN
A cruise missile submarine is a submarine that can launch guided missiles. SSGN is the United States Navy hull classification symbol for a nuclear-powered cruise missile submarine. The SS denotes "Ship, Submersible" , the G denotes "guided missile," and the N denotes "nuclear powered"....
s) and ballistic-missile submarines (SSBNs). Two submarines of each type will serve as the inaugural vessels and be home ported in Bangor, WA, or Kings Bay, GA.
Milestones
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1908 | Congress established the Navy Nurse Corps. |
| 1917 | Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels Josephus Daniels Josephus Daniels was a newspaper editor and publisher from North Carolina who was appointed by United States President Woodrow Wilson to serve as Secretary of the Navy during World War I... announced that the Navy will enlist females. |
| 1942 | President Franklin D. Roosevelt Franklin D. Roosevelt Franklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war... signed the Public Law 689 creating the Navy’s women reserve program on 30 July 1942. |
| 1942 | Lieutenant Commander Mildred H. McAfee Mildred H. McAfee Mildred Helen McAfee Horton was an American academic who served during World War II as first director of the WAVES in the United States Navy.-Early life:... , USNR, Director of the WAVES WAVES The WAVES were a World War II-era division of the U.S. Navy that consisted entirely of women. The name of this group is an acronym for "Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service" ; the word "emergency" implied that the acceptance of women was due to the unusual circumstances of the war and... became the Navy’s first female Line Officer. |
| 1944 | Lieutenant Harriet Ida Pickens and Ensign Frances Wills are commissioned as the first African-American "WAVES" officers. |
| 1944 | Sue Dauser, the Director of the Navy Nurse Corps, became the first female Captain in the United States Navy. |
| 1961 | Lieutenant Charlene I. Suneson, became the first line WAVES officer to be ordered to shipboard duty. |
| 1972 | The Equal Rights Amendment Equal Rights Amendment The Equal Rights Amendment was a proposed amendment to the United States Constitution. The ERA was originally written by Alice Paul and, in 1923, it was introduced in the Congress for the first time... was passed by Congress, (but failed as an amendment to the Constitution) and Hospitalman Elena J. Peckenpaugh was assigned to the first ship with a mixed male-female crew. |
| 1972 | Alene Duerk, Director of the Navy Nurse Corps became the first female appointed to the rank of Rear Admiral in the Navy making her position a flag billet in 1972. Fran McKee Fran McKee Fran McKee was the first female line officer to hold the rank of Rear Admiral in the United States Navy. She was promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral on June 1, 1976 and earned her second star in November 1978... was the first female line officer to hold the rank of Rear Admiral in the Navy. |
| 1973 | LT Barbara Allen 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... became the first Navy woman to earn her wings on 22 February 1974. |
| 1974 | Lieutenant Junior Grade Barbara Ann (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... became the first Navy designated female aviator |
| 1974 | First women commissioned though NROTC. |
| 1976 | First women sworn in as midshipmen at the United States Naval Academy United States Naval Academy The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States... . |
| 1978 | Navy Nurse Joan C. Bynum became first black female promoted to the rank of Captain. |
| 1978 | Women authorized to serve on tenders, oilers and other types of auxiliary ships. |
| 1980 | The first class of women graduate from the U. S. Naval Academy. Midshipman Janie Mines was the first African-American woman. |
| 1990 | Rear Admiral Marsha J. Evans, USN was the first woman to command a Naval Station. |
| 1990 | Lieutenant Commander Darlene Iskra, USN was the first Navy woman to command a ship. |
| 1996 | Carol Mutter Carol Mutter Carol A. Mutter is a retired United States Marine Corps lieutenant general. She is the first woman in the history of the United States Armed Forces to be appointed to a three-star grade. She retired from the Marine Corps on January 1, 1999... became the first female three star officer in the military. Patricia Tracey became the first female three star officer(Vice Admiral) in the Navy. |
| 1998 | CDR Maureen A. Farren became the first woman to command a combatant ship. |
| 1998 | Lillian E. Fishburne Lillian E. Fishburne Lillian Elaine Fishburne was the first African-American female to hold the rank of Rear Admiral in the United States Navy. She was appointed to the rank of Rear Admiral by President of the United States Bill Clinton and was officially promoted on February 1, 1998... became the first African-American female to hold the rank of Rear Admiral in the United States Navy. |
| 2001 | First female African American combat pilot in the military during Operation Iraqi Freedom. |
| 2006 | CDR Lenora C.Langlais, first African American Navy Nurse Corps Officer to receive a Purple Heart in combat, during Operation Iraqi Freedom. |
| 2010 | Nora W. Tyson Nora W. Tyson Rear Admiral Nora Wingfield Tyson, USN, currently in command of Carrier Strike Group Two, is the first female commander of a U.S. Navy Carrier Strike Group.-Education:... became the first female to command a carrier strike group. |
Careers
In the Navy, women are eligible to serve in all ratings, except as a SEAL or Special Warfare Combatant-craft Crewmen (SWCC). The current policy set by Congress and the Secretary of Defense, effective 1 October 1994 excludes women from direct ground combat billets in the military:- "Service members who are eligible to be assigned to all positions for which they are qualified, except that women shall be excluded from assignment to units below the brigade level whose primary mission is to engage in direct combat on the ground as defined below. "Direct ground combat is engaging an enemy on the ground with individual or crew-served weapons, while being exposed to hostile fire and to a high probability of direct physical contact with the hostile force's personnel. Direct combat take place well forward on the battlefield while locating and closing with the enemy to defeat them by fire, maneuver, or shock effect." However, qualified and motivated women are encouraged to investigate the diver and explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) fields."
Dress
- A certified maternity uniform is mandatory for all pregnant servicewomen in the Navy when the regular uniform no longer fits.
- Ball caps may be worn on board ship and pier in the immediate vicinity of ship, and ashore in the immediate workspaces. The wearing of ball caps with Service uniforms is restricted to the immediate workspaces for shore Sailors.
Grooming Standards
- Hair: The Navy deems that hairstyles shall not be “outrageously multicolored” or “faddish,” to include shaved portions of the scalp (other than the neckline), or have designs cut or braided into the hair. Hair coloring must look natural and complement the individual. Haircuts and styles shall present a balanced appearance. Lopsided and extremely asymmetrical styles are not authorized. Ponytails, pigtails, widely spaced individual hanging locks, and braids that protrude from the head, are not authorized. Multiple braids are authorized. Braided hairstyles shall be conservative and conform to the guidelines listed herein. When a hairstyle of multiple braids is worn, braids shall be of uniform dimension, small in diameter (approx. 1/4 inch), and tightly interwoven to present a neat, professional, well-groomed appearance. Foreign material (i.e., beads, decorative items) shall not be braided into the hair. Short hair may be braided in symmetrical fore and aft rows (cornrowing) that minimize scalp exposure. Cornrow ends shall not protrude from the head, and shall be secured only with inconspicuous rubber bands that match the color of the hair. Appropriateness of a hairstyle shall also be judged by its appearance when headgear is worn. All headgear shall fit snugly and comfortably around the largest part of the head without distortion or excessive gaps. Hair shall not show from under the front of the brim of the combination hat, garrison, or command ball caps. Hairstyles which do not allow headgear to be worn in this manner, or which interfere with the proper wear of protective masks or equipment are prohibited. When in uniform, the hair may touch, but not fall below a horizontal line level with the lower edge of the back of the collar.
- Cosmetics: The Navy prefers that cosmetics be applied in good taste so that colors blend with natural skin tone and enhance natural features. Exaggerated or faddish cosmetic styles are not authorized and shall not be worn. Care should be taken to avoid artificial appearance. Lipstick colors shall be conservative and complement the individual. Long false eyelashes shall not be worn when in uniform.
- Tattoos: Navy policy stipulates that any tattoo/body art/brand that is obscene, sexually explicit or advocates discrimination of any sort is prohibited. No tattoos/body art/brands on the head, face, neck, or scalp and individual tattoos/body art/brands exposed by wearing a short sleeve uniform shirt shall be no larger in size than the wearer’s hand with fingers extended and joined with the thumb touching the base of the index finger.
- Jewelry: Conservative jewelry is authorized for all personnel and shall be in good taste while in uniform. Eccentricities or faddishness are not permitted. Jewelry shall not present a safety or FOD (Foreign Object Damage) hazard. Jewelry shall be worn within the following guidelines
-
-
- Earrings: Earrings for women are an optional item, and are not required for wear. When worn the earring shall be a 4-6mm ball (gold for officers/CPOs, and silver for E-6 and below), plain with brushed, matte finish, screw-on or post type. Pearl earrings may be worn with Dinner Dress or Formal uniforms.
- Rings: While in uniform, only one (1) ring per hand is authorized, plus a wedding/engagement ring set. Rings are not authorized for wear on thumbs.
- Necklaces: While in uniform, only one (1) necklace may be worn and it shall not be visible.
- Bracelets: While in uniform, only one (1) of each may be worn. Ankle bracelets are not authorized while in uniform.
- Fingernails: Fingernails for women shall not exceed 1/4 inch beyond the end of the finger. They shall be kept clean. Nail polish may be worn, but colors shall be conservative and complement the skin tone.
-
Health & Fitness Standards
The Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA) is conducted twice a year for all sailors, which includes:- Body Composition Assessment (BCA). Body composition is assessed by:
- An initial weight and height screening
- A Navy-approved circumference technique to estimate body fat percentage
Physical Readiness Test (PRT). PRT is a series of physical activities designed to evaluate factors that enable members to perform physically. Factors evaluated are:
- Flexibility via sit-reach
- Muscular strength and endurance via:
-
-
- Curl-ups
- Push-ups
- Aerobic capacity via:
- 1.5-mile run/walk, or
- 500-yard or 450-meter swim
-
PT Fitness Standards (NSW/NSO programs only):
- The PST consists of five (5) events:
- 500-yard swim (using sidestroke or breaststroke)
- Push-Ups (as many as possible in 2-minutes)
- Sit-Ups (as many as possible in 2-minutes)
- Pull-Ups (as many as possible, no time limit)
- 1 ½ mile run
Marriage
Spouse co-location assignments are fully supported by the Chief of Naval Personnel and when requested become the highest priority and main duty preference consistent with the needs of the Navy. While not always possible, every reasonable effort will be made to for military couples and family members to move & serve together. Co-lo assignments are not guaranteed.The service member requesting transfer to join with his/her spouse or family member must have a minimum of one year on board his/her present command at the time of transfer.
Military couples may not be permanently assigned to the same ship or the same shipboard deployable command. For shore assignments, the couple will not assign to the same reporting senior without the gaining CO’s approval. Unusual circumstances may require a couple being temporarily assigned to the same afloat activity, which is allowable at the CO’s discretion
Pregnancy & Parenting Resources
- Pregnant servicewomen may remain onboard up to their 20th week of pregnancy.
- An extension of up to one year may be granted in order to receive maternity benefits, provided the member’s performance has been satisfactory and first term Sailors have PTS approval.
- No later than 6 months after being returned to full duty by a HCP, the servicewoman is required to take the PFA and conform to acceptable height/weight standards.
- No servicewomen may be assigned overseas or travel overseas after the completion of the 28th week of pregnancy.
- The New Parent Support Home Visitation Program (NPSHVP) is a team of professionals providing supportive and caring services to military families with new babies. Navy families and other military families expecting a child or with children up to three years of age are assessed to determine if they need help managing the demands of a new baby. In the program, new Moms and Dads can be referred to community new baby programs and are eligible to participate in a voluntary home visitation program, free of charge. The New Parent Support Home Visitation Program was developed to assist military families in ways that friends and family would do if you were back home. This program offers expectant parents and parents of newborn and young children the opportunity to learn new skills as parents and to improve existing parenting skills, in the privacy of their own home.
Pregnancy
In her 1995 book, Jean ZimmermanJean Zimmerman
-Biography:A graduate of Barnard College, Zimmerman earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in poetry from the Columbia University School of the Arts, and was awarded a New York State Fine Arts grant in 1983.For her first book Zimmerman coauthored, with Felice N...
reported that there was a perception in the Navy that women sailors use pregnancy to escape or avoid deployed ship duty. In an example cited by Zimmerman, in 1993 as the USS Cape Cod
USS Cape Cod (AD-43)
The first USS Cape Cod was the third in the United States Navy.Cape Cod was laid down on 27 January 1979 at San Diego, California, by the National Steel and Shipbuilding Company and launched on 2 August 1980. The destroyer tender worked for many years in active naval service...
prepared to depart on a deployment cruise, 25 female sailors, out of a crew of 1,500, reported being pregnant shortly before the scheduled departure and were reassigned to shore duty. Although Zimmerman felt that the number of pregnancies was small and should not be regarded as significant, the senior enlisted person on the ship, Command Master Chief Alice Smith rejoined, "Just about every division has been decimated by the number of pregnancies. Now tell me that's not going to hurt a ship." A 1997 study by the Navy Personnel Research and Development Center found that female sailors assigned to ships experienced higher pregnancy and abortion rates than shore-based female sailors.
A Navy policy change in June 2007 extended post-partum tours of duty ashore from 4 months to 12 months. A Virginia Pilot article in October 2007 reported on the Navy's policy decision as a means to improve long term retention of trained personnel. The chief of women's policy for the chief of personnel noted that far more men than women fail to deploy or are sent back from deployment, "because of sports injuries, discipline issues or testing positive for drugs."
In 2009, Andrew Tilghman reported in the Military Times
Military Times
Military Times is a monthly military history magazine, published by Current Publishing and the Chelsea Magazine Company.- Overview :Military Times is edited by Dr Neil Faulkner, with George Clode, and published by Luke Bilton. The magazine covers all aspects of military history, from battles of...
on a Naval Inspector General (IG) report noting that, in the wake of this change, Navy shore commands based in Norfolk reported that 34% of their assigned members were pregnant sailors reassigned from ship duty. Since shore-based assignments for pregnant sailors were extended in 2007, the number of Navy women leaving deploying units to have children rose from 1,770 in June 2006 to 3,125 as of August 1, 2009. Tilghman further reports that Navy Personnel Command is reviewing the report.
Women on Submarines
In July 1994, policy changes were made expanding the number of assignments available to women in the Navy. At this time, repeal of the combat exclusion law gave women the opportunity to serve on surface combatant ships but still excluded assignments for women to serve onboard submarines. Previously there had been concern about bringing women onto submarines because living quarters offered little privacy and weren’t considered suitable for mixed gender habitation.In October 2009, the Secretary of the Navy announced that he and the Chief of Naval Operations
Chief of Naval Operations
The Chief of Naval Operations is a statutory office held by a four-star admiral in the United States Navy, and is the most senior uniformed officer assigned to serve in the Department of the Navy. The office is a military adviser and deputy to the Secretary of the Navy...
were moving aggressively to change the policy. Reasons included the fact that larger SSGN and SSBN submarines now in the Fleet had more available space and could accommodate female Officers with little or no modification. Also, the availability of qualified female candidates with the desire to serve in this capacity was cited. It was noted that women now represented 15% of the Active Duty Navy and that women today earn about half of all science and engineering bachelor’s degrees. A policy change was deemed to serve the aspirations of women, the mission of the Navy and the strength of its submarine force.
In February 2010, the Secretary of Defense approved the proposed policy and signed letters formally notifying Congress of the intended change. After receiving no objection, the Department of the Navy officially announced on April 29, 2010, that it had authorized women to serve onboard submarines moving forward.
Admirals
The first promotion of a woman in the United States Navy to flag rank occurred in 1972.| Name | Commission | Position | Community | RDML | RADM | VADM | Retired | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Patricia A. Tracey | 1970 | Director, Navy Staff, N09B, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations | URL | ? | ? | 1996 | 2004 | First woman to earn third star in the US Navy. |
| 2 | Ann E. Rondeau Ann E. Rondeau Vice Admiral Ann E. Rondeau is currently President of the National Defense University. She assumed the position in 2009. She was former Deputy Commander of the United States Transportation Command at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois from December 2006 to 2009.... |
1974 (OCS) | President, National Defense University | Fleet Support | 1999 | 2002 | 2005 | Currently on active duty. | |
| 3 | Nancy Elizabeth Brown Nancy Elizabeth Brown Vice Admiral Nancy E. Brown most recently served as the Director, Command, Control, Communications and Computer Systems , The Joint Staff. She is the principal advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on all C4 systems matters within the Department of Defense. Her service spans 32... |
1974 (OCS) | Director for C4 Systems (J6) | URL | 2000 | 2003 | 2006 | 2009 | Retired. |
| 4 | Carol M. Pottenger Carol M. Pottenger Vice Admiral Carol M. Pottenger is currently the deputy chief of staff Capability and Development at NATO Headquarters Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, Norfolk, Virginia.-Biography:... |
1977 (ROTC) | Deputy Chief of Staff for Capability and Development, Supreme Allied Commander Transformation | SWO | 2003 | 2007 | 2010 | Currently on active duty. | |
| 5 | Fran McKee Fran McKee Fran McKee was the first female line officer to hold the rank of Rear Admiral in the United States Navy. She was promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral on June 1, 1976 and earned her second star in November 1978... |
1950 | Assistant Chief of Naval Personnel for Human Resource Management | URL | 1976 | 1978 | 1981 | First woman line officer promoted to flag rank in the United States Navy. Second woman promoted to flag rank in the United States Navy | |
| 6 | Roberta L. Hazard Roberta L. Hazard Retired Rear Admiral Roberta L. Hazard was the third female line officer to be promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral in the United States Navy, and at the time, the highest-ranking woman in the U.S. military... |
1960 | Assistant Chief of Naval Personnel, Personnel Readiness and Community Support 1989-1992 | URL | 1984 | 1988 | 1992 | First woman to command a Navy training command (NTC San Diego 1982). | |
| 7 | Louise C. Wilmot Louise Currie Wilmot Rear Admiral Louise Currie Wilmot USN was the first woman to command a United States Naval base. When she retired after thirty years of service, she was the highest ranking female Naval officer.-Early life:... |
1964 | Commander, Naval Base Philadelphia -1994 | URL | 1988 | ?? | 1994 | First woman to command a naval base. | |
| 8 | Mariann Stratton Mariann Stratton Rear Admiral Mariann Stratton was the Director of the United States Navy Nurse Corps from 1991 to 1994.-Biography:Born in Houston, Texas, Stratton joined the Navy Nurse Corps in 1964 and attended school on a Navy Nurse Corps Candidate Scholarship. She graduated from Sacred Heart Dominican College... |
1966 | 17th Director, Navy Nurse Corps 1991-1994 | Nurse Corps | 1991 | ? | 1994 | 17th Director, Navy Nurse Corps. | |
| 9 | Marsha J. Evans | 1967 | Superintendent of the Naval Postgraduate School 1995-1998 | Fleet Support | 1992 | 1995 | 1998 | Retired. | |
| 10 | Barbara E. McGann Barbara E. McGann Retired Rear Admiral Barbara E. McGann was the executive director of the Advanced Math and Science Academy Charter School in Marlborough, Massachusetts until her retirement at the end of the 2010-2011 academic year . She was one of the first women to achieve two-star rank in the United States... |
1970 (OCS) | Provost, Naval War College 2000-2002 | URL | 1994 | 1997 | 2002 | Notes. | |
| 11 | Joan Marie Engel Joan Marie Engel Rear Admiral Joan Marie Engel held the position as the 18th Director of the Navy Nurse Corps from September 1994 to August 1998. She concurrently served as deputy commander for personnel management in the Health Sciences, Education and Training Command, and later as assistant chief for Education,... |
1969 | 18th Director, Navy Nurse Corps 1994-1998 | Nurse Corps | 1994 | ?? | 2000 | 18th Director, Navy Nurse Corps. | |
| 12 | Veronica Froman Ronne Froman Veronica "Ronne" Froman is an American retired naval officer. She was the first woman to serve as commander of the United States Navy Region Southwest, a position known as the "Navy Mayor of San Diego"... |
1970 | Director, Ashore Readiness, Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, D.C. 2000-2001 | Fleet Support | 1995 | 1999 | 2001 | First woman commander of Navy Region Southwest (aka "Navy Mayor of San Diego), 1997-2000. | |
| 13 | Kathleen Paige Kathleen Paige Rear Admiral Kathleen K. Paige was the Program Director, Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense , the sea-based element of the Ballistic Missile Defense System under development by the Missile Defense Agency... |
1971 | Program Director, Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense 2003-2005 | Engineering Duty Officer | 1996 | 1999 | 2005 | Retired. | |
| 14 | Bonnie Burnham Potter Bonnie Burnham Potter Rear Admiral Bonnie Burnham Potter was the first female physician in the Navy Medical Corps to be selected for flag rank. She served as the commanding officer of the National Naval Medical Center at Bethesda, Maryland and Chief of the Navy Medical Corps.... |
1975 (OIS) | Fleet Surgeon, U.S. Atlantic Fleet 1999- | Medical Corps | 1997 | 2000 | 2003 | First female physician to become a flag officer in the military. | |
| 15 | Karen A. Harmeyer | 1975 | Chief of Staff, Chief of Naval Operations, N093R, Washington, D.C. | Nurse Corps (Reserve) | 1997 | 2000 | ? | Retired. 1st female two-star in the Reserves. | |
| 16 | Annette E. Brown Annette E. Brown Annette Elise Brown is a retired rear admiral of the United States Navy.-Early life:A native of Los Angeles, California, Brown attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and graduated with a B.S. in Business Management in 1973.... |
1974 (OCS) | Commander, Navy Region Southeast (2002) | Fleet Support | 1998 | 2001 | 2005 | Retired. | |
| 17 | Kathleen L. Martin Kathleen L. Martin Rear Admiral Kathleen L. Martin served as Deputy Surgeon General of the Navy/Vice Chief, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery from October 2002 until her retirement in September 2005. She also held the position as the 19th Director of the Navy Nurse Corps from August 1998 to August 2001.-Navy Nurse... |
1973 (OIS) | Deputy Surgeon General of the Navy/ Vice Chief, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery 2002-2005 | Nurse Corps | 1998 | 2001 | 2005 | 19th Director of the Navy Nurse Corps from August 1998 to August 2001. First Nurse Corps officer to be assigned to the position of Deputy Surgeon General of the Navy. | |
| 18 | Linda J. Bird Linda J. Bird Rear Admiral Linda J. Bird, SC, USN, was the first woman in the United States Navy Supply Corps promoted to flag rank.-Navy career:Rear Admiral Bird received her Navy Commission through the Naval Officer Candidate School in June 1974... |
1974 (OCS) | Director, Supply, Ordnance and Logistics Operations Division, N41 2003-2005 | Supply Corps | 1999 | 2002 | 2005 | Retired. | |
| 19 | Elizabeth M. Morris | 1973 (OIS) | Deputy Chief for Reserve Affairs at the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery 2005-2006? | Nurse Corps, Reserve | 2000 | 2004 | 2006 | Retired. | |
| 20 | Nancy J. Lescavage Nancy J. Lescavage Rear Admiral Nancy J. Lescavage recently served as the 20th Director of the Navy Nurse Corps and was the Commander, Naval Medical Education and Training Command, Bethesda, Md.-Early life:... |
1972 (OIS) | Senior Health Care Executive Regional Director, TRICARE Regional Office – West | Nurse Corps | 2001 | 2004 | 20th Director of the Navy Nurse Corps. | ||
| 21 | Donna L. Crisp | 1974 (OCS) | Commander, Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command | URL | 2001 | 2005 | Currently on active duty. | ||
| 22 | Elizabeth A. Hight Elizabeth A. Hight Elizabeth A. Hight is a retired United States Navy rear admiral who served as the Vice Director of the Defense Information Systems Agency . She assumed this post in December 2007... |
1977 (OCS) | Vice Director, Defense Information Systems Agency Defense Information Systems Agency The Defense Information Systems Agency is a United States Department of Defense agency that provides information technology and communications support to the President, Vice President, Secretary of Defense, the military Services, and the Combatant Commands.As part of the Base Realignment and... |
URL | 2003 | 2006 | ? | Currently on active duty. First woman to Command the JTF-GNO, after serving as its Deputy Commander. First woman Vice Director at DISA. | |
| 23 | Ann D. Gilbride | 1978 (OCS) | Director, National Maritime Intelligence Center | Reserve | 2003 | 2006 | ? | Currently active. | |
| 24 | Sharon H. Redpath | 1976 (ROTC) | Vice Commander, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command Navy Expeditionary Combat Command The Navy Expeditionary Combat Command serves as the single functional command to centrally manage current and future readiness, resources, manning, training and equipping of the United States Navy's 40,000 expeditionary forces who are currently serving in every theater of operation. The NECC was... , Commander, Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group |
Reserve | 2003 | 2006 | ? | Currently active. | |
| 25 | Christine Bruzek-Kohler Christine Bruzek-Kohler Rear Admiral Christine M. Bruzek-Kohler was the 21st Director of the United States Navy Nurse Corps, and served as the Commander Naval Medical Center San Diego and Navy Medicine West from May 2009 to August 2010... |
1974 | Commander, Navy Medicine West, Naval Medical Center San Diego | Nurse Corps | 2004 | 2009 | 2010 | 21st Director of the Navy Nurse Corps. | |
| 26 | Christine S. Hunter | 1980 | deputy director, TRICARE Management Activity | Medical | 2004 | 2009 | Currently on active duty. | ||
| 27 | Moira N. Flanders | 1978 (OCS) | Director, Inter-American Defense College | URL | 2005 | 2007 | Currently on active duty. | ||
| 28 | Wendi B. Carpenter Wendi B. Carpenter Rear Admiral Wendi B. Carpenter, United States Navy flag officer and naval aviator, is currently president of the State University of New York Maritime College.-Background:... |
1977 (AOCS) | Commander, Navy Warfare Development Command Navy Warfare Development Command The mission of the United States Navy Navy Warfare Development Command is stated thus: "NWDC serves as the Navy’s champion for the rapid generation and development of innovative, game changing solutions in concepts and doctrine to enhance maritime capability at the operational level across the... , Norfolk |
Reserve | 2004 | 2008 | Currently serving. | ||
| 29 | Karen Flaherty Karen Flaherty Rear Admiral Karen Flaherty assumed duties as the Deputy Surgeon General of Navy Medicine at the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery as of August 6, 2010... |
1973 (OIS) | Deputy Surgeon General of Navy Medicine | Nurse Corps | 2003 | 2008 | 22nd Director of the Navy Nurse Corps. | ||
| 30 | Kathleen M. Dussault | 1979 (OCS) | Director, Supply, Ordnance and Logistics Operations Division (OPNAV N41) | Supply Corps | 2006 | 2009 | Currently on active duty. | ||
| 31 | Janice M. Hamby | 1980 (ROTC) | Vice Director for C4 Systems (J6) | URL | 2006 | 2009 | Currently on active duty. | ||
| 32 | Nanette M. "Nan" DeRenzi | 1984 (ROTC) | Deputy Judge Advocate General, Commander, Naval Legal Service Command | JAG | 2009 | Currently on active duty. | |||
| 33 | Michelle J. Howard Michelle J. Howard Michelle Janine Howard is an American Rear Admiral in the United States Navy. She currently serves as Chief of Staff to the Director for Strategic Plans and Policy, J-5, Joint Staff.... |
1982 (USNA) | Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group 2 | Surface Warfare | 2006 | sel 3/2009 | Currently on active duty. | ||
| 34 | Alene B. Duerk Alene B. Duerk Rear Admiral Alene Bertha Duerk, USN, was the first woman to be selected for flag rank in the U. S. Navy and was advanced to that rank on June 1, 1972. She was Director of the United States Navy Nurse Corps from 1970 to 1975.... |
1943 | Director Navy Nurse Corps 1970-1975 | Nurse Corps | 1972 | 1975 | First woman promoted to flag rank in the United States Navy. Director Navy Nurse Corps 1970-1975. | ||
| 35 | Maxine Conder Maxine Conder Rear Admiral Maxine Conder was Director of the United States Navy Nurse Corps from 1975 to 1979-Early life:Born in 1924, Maxine Conder is a native of the state of Utah. She earned her nursing diploma in 1947 from St... |
1951 | Director, Navy Nurse Corps 1975-1979 | Nurse Corps | 1975 | 1979? | Director, Navy Nurse Corps. | ||
| 36 | Frances Shea-Buckley Frances Shea-Buckley Retired Rear Admiral Frances Teresa Shea-Buckley was the Director of the Navy Nurse Corps from 1979 to 1983.-Early life:Frances Teresa Shea was born in 1929 in Massachusetts. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from St... |
1951 | 14th Director, Navy Nurse Corps 1979-1983 | Nurse Corps | 1979 | 1983 | 14th Director, Navy Nurse Corps. | ||
| 37 | Pauline Hartington | 1953 | Commander, Naval Training Center Orlando | URL | 1981 | 1983? | Second woman line officer selected for flag rank. | ||
| 38 | Grace Hopper Grace Hopper Rear Admiral Grace Murray Hopper was an American computer scientist and United States Navy officer. A pioneer in the field, she was one of the first programmers of the Harvard Mark I computer, and developed the first compiler for a computer programming language... |
1944 | Head, Training and Technology Directorate/Special Advisor to the Commander, Naval Data Automation Command | URL? | 1983 | 1986 | Co-inventor of COBOL. Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyer USS Hopper (DDG-70) USS Hopper (DDG-70) USS Hopper , an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, is a ship of the United States Navy named for the pioneering computer scientist, Rear Admiral "Amazing Grace" Hopper.... named for RADM Hopper. |
||
| 39 | Mary Joan Nielubowicz Mary Joan Nielubowicz Retired Rear Admiral Mary Joan Nielubowicz was the Director of the Navy Nurse Corps from 1983 to 1987.-Early life:Mary Joan Nielubowicz was born on 5 February 1929 in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania to Joseph and Ursula Nielubowicz and graduated from Shenandoah Catholic High School... |
1951 | 15th Director, Navy Nurse Corps 1983-1987 | Nurse Corps | 1983 | 1987 | 15th Director, Navy Nurse Corps. | ||
| 40 | Mary F. Hall | 1959 | 16th Director, Navy Nurse Corps 1987-1991 | Nurse Corps | 1987 | 1991 | Director, Navy Nurse Corps. | ||
| 41 | Maryanne T. Gallagher Ibach | 1964 | Reserve Nurse Corps | 1990 | 1995 | First Reserve flag officer for Navy Nurse Corps. | |||
| 42 | Katharine L. Laughton | ???? | Commander, Naval Space Command, Dahlgren, VA 1995-1997 | Fleet Support | 1993 | 1997 | Retired. | ||
| 43 | Jacqueline O. (Allison) Barnes | ???? | Director, On-Site Inspection Directorate 1998-2000 | Fleet Support | 1996 | 2000 | Retired. | ||
| 44 | Lillian E. Fishburne Lillian E. Fishburne Lillian Elaine Fishburne was the first African-American female to hold the rank of Rear Admiral in the United States Navy. She was appointed to the rank of Rear Admiral by President of the United States Bill Clinton and was officially promoted on February 1, 1998... |
1973 (OCS) | Director, Information Transfer Division for the Space, Information Warfare, Command and Control Directorate ?-2001 | URL | 1998 | 2001 | First African-American woman to achieve flag rank. | ||
| 45 | Marianne B. Drew | 1967 | Deputy Commander, Navy Personnel Command | Reserve, Fleet Support | 1998 | ? | Retired. | ||
| 46 | Rosanne M. Levitre | 1973 (OCS) | Director of Intelligence, J2, U.S. Joint Forces Command | Intelligence | 2000 | 2005 | First Director, Navy Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), FORCEnet. First female Intel officer selected for flag rank in the United States Navy. | ||
| 47 | Eleanor Mariano Eleanor Mariano Eleanor Concepcion "Connie" Mariano is a Filipino-American physician and former flag officer in the United States Navy. She is the first Filipino-American and graduate of the Uniformed Services University of Medicine to reach the rank of Rear Admiral in the U.S... |
1977 | White House Physician | Medical Corps | 2000 | 2001 | First Filipino-American flag officer. | ||
| 48 | Carol I. Turner Carol I. Turner Rear Admiral Carol I. Turner served as the Chief of the United States Navy Dental Corps from 2003 to 2007. She served as the commanding officer of the National Naval Dental Center at Bethesda, Maryland.-Early life:... |
1977 | Senior Health Care Executive, U.S. Navy Commander, Navy Medicine Support Command | Dental Corps | 2003 | 2008? | retired. First female Chief of the Naval Dental Corps, 2003-2007. | ||
| 49 | Deborah Loewer Deborah Loewer Deborah A. Loewer was the first warfare qualified woman promoted to flag rank in the United States Navy. She was frocked to the rank of Rear Admiral on October 1, 2003. Rear Admiral Loewer retired in 2007.-Military biography:... |
1976 (OCS) | Commander, Mine Warfare Command 2005-2006 | Surface Warfare | 2003 | 2007 | First warfare-qualified woman selected for flag rank in the United States Navy. | ||
| 50 | Cynthia A. Dullea | 1980 (OIS) | Deputy Commander, Navy Medicine National Capital Area | Reserve | 2007 | Currently serving. | |||
| 51 | Nora W. Tyson Nora W. Tyson Rear Admiral Nora Wingfield Tyson, USN, currently in command of Carrier Strike Group Two, is the first female commander of a U.S. Navy Carrier Strike Group.-Education:... |
1979 (OCS) | Commander, Carrier Strike Group Two Carrier Strike Group Two Carrier Strike Group Two, abbreviated CSG-2 or CARSTRKGRU 2, is one of five U.S. Navy carrier strike groups currently assigned the United States Fleet Forces Command. U.S... |
Naval Flight Officer | 2007 | First woman to command a carrier strike group. | |||
| 52 | Robin Braun Robin Braun Robin R. Braun is a rear admiral in the United States Navy. The daughter of a career naval aviator, she was born in Pensacola, Florida. She is a graduate of Northern Arizona University... |
1980 | Director, Total Force Management (OPNAV N2/N6) | Reserve, Naval Aviator | 2007 | Currently serving. | |||
| 53 | Sandy L. Daniels | 1980 (USNA) | Deputy Commander, Joint Functional Component Command for Space | Reserve | 2007 | Currently serving. | |||
| 54 | Patricia E. Wolfe | 1981 (ROTC) | Commander, Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group (NAVELSG) | Reserve, Supply Corps | 2009 | Currently serving. | |||
| 55 | Elizabeth S. Niemyer | 1981 | Director, Navy Nurse Corps | Nurse Corps | 2008 | 23rd Director of the Navy Nurse Corps | |||
| 56 | Cynthia A. Covell | 1980 (OCS) | Director, Total Force Requirements Division (OPNAV N12) | Navy Human Resources Officer | 2008 | Currently on active duty. | |||
| 57 | Maude Elizabeth Young | 1984 (USNA) | Director, Systems Engineering National Reconnaissance Office National Reconnaissance Office The National Reconnaissance Office , located in Chantilly, Virginia, is one of the 16 U.S. intelligence agencies. It designs, builds, and operates the spy satellites of the United States government.-Mission:... ; Commander, SPAWAR SPAWAR The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command , based in San Diego, is an echelon II organization within the United States Navy and Navy’s technical authority and acquisition command for C4ISR , business information technology and space systems.Team SPAWAR supports over 150 programs... Space Field Activity (SSFA), PEO Program Executive Officer A Program Executive Officer, or PEO, is one of a few key individuals in the United States military acquisition process. As can be seen from the examples below, a Program Executive Officer may be responsible for a specific program , or for an entire portfolio of similar programs A Program Executive... for Space Systems, USN |
URL | 2008 | Currently on active duty. | |||
| 58 | Margaret D. Klein Margaret D. Klein Margaret DeLuca Klein is a United States Navy officer. She currently holds the rank of rear admiral is commander Expeditionary Strike Group Five.... |
1981 (USNA) | Naval Network Warfare Command Director of Global Operations Officer | Naval Flight Officer | 2008 | 82nd Commandant of Midshipmen, USNA - first woman. | |||
| 59 | Elizabeth L.Train | 1983 (OCS) | Director for Intelligence, U.S. Pacific Command | Intelligence | 2009 | Currently on active duty. | |||
| 60 | Eleanor V. Valentin Eleanor V. Valentin Rear Admiral Eleanor V. Valentin is the first female flag officer to serve as director of the United States Navy Medical Service Corps. She assumed command of Navy Medicine Support Command and assumed duties as the 16th director of the Medical Service Corps on 1 October 2009.-Biography:Rear Admiral... |
1982 | Director, Medical Service Corps, Commander, Navy Medicine Support Command, Jacksonville, Florida | MSC | 2009 | 16th director of the Medical Service Corps (first female director) | |||
| 61 | Robin L. Graf | 1981 (OCS) | Deputy Commander, Navy Recruiting Command | URL | 2009 | Currently on active duty. | |||
| 62 | Diane E. H. Webber | ? | Director for Command Control Systems, J6, Headquarters North American Aerospace Defense Command | URL | 2009 | Currently on active duty. | |||
| 63 | Katherine L. Gregory Katherine L. Gregory Rear Admiral Katherine L. Gregory is the first female flag officer in the United States Navy Civil Engineer Corps. She assumed command of Naval Facilities Engineering Command Pacific on July 9, 2010.-Background:... |
1982 (USNA) | Commander, Naval Facilities Engineering Command Pacific | CEC | 2010 | First female CEC admiral. | |||
| 64 | Margaret G. Kibben Margaret G. Kibben Chaplain Margaret Grun Kibben, USN, is a Presbyterian minister currently serving as both the 18th Chaplain of the United States Marine Corps and the Deputy Chief of Chaplains of the United States Navy.... |
1986 (OIS) | Chaplain of the United States Marine Corps Chaplain of the United States Marine Corps The Chaplain of the United States Marine Corps is a position always filled by the officer serving as Deputy Chief of Chaplains of the United States Navy as a "dual hatted" billet since 2000... , deputy chief of Navy Chaplains |
Chaplain Corps | 2010 | 18th Chaplain of the USMC, first female chaplain at USNA. | |||
| 65 | Ann Claire Phillips | 1983 (ROTC) | Deputy Director, Surface Warfare N86B, Chief of Naval Operations Staff | URL | sel 8/2009 | Currently on active duty. | |||
| 66 | Jan Tighe | 1984 (USNA) | Deputy Director of Operations for U.S. Cyber Command | IW/Crypto | 2010 | first female IW flag officer. | |||
| 67 | Gretchen S. Herbert Gretchen S. Herbert RDML Gretchen S. Herbert is a United States Navy officer who commands the Navy Cyber Forces.A native of Rochester, New York, Rear Admiral Herbert graduated from the University of Rochester in 1984, receiving her commission through the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps program... |
1984 (ROTC) | Assistant Chief of Naval Operations, Next Generation Enterprise Network (NGEN) | URL | sel 11/2009 | Currently on active duty. | |||
| 68 | Margaret A. Rykowski Margaret A. Rykowski Margaret A. Rykowski is a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy Reserve and serves as Deputy Fleet Surgeon, United States Fleet Forces Command and Deputy Director, United States Navy Nurse Corps, Reserve Component.-Biography:... |
? | Fleet Surgeon, Third Fleet | NNC | sel 2/2010 | Currently on active duty. | |||
| 69 | Paula C. Brown | 1982 | Deputy Chief of Staff for Engineering, U. S. Naval Forces Korea | CEC | sel 2/2010 | Currently on active duty. | |||
| 70 | Elaine C. Wagner | 1984 | Senior Health Care Executive | Dental Corps | 2010 | Currently on active duty. Chief of the Naval Dental Corps, 2010–Present. |
See also
- United States Navy Nurse CorpsUnited States Navy Nurse CorpsThe United States Navy Nurse Corps was officially established by Congress in 1908; however, unofficially, women had been working as nurses aboard Navy ships and in Navy hospitals for nearly 100 years.-Pre-1908:...
- Women in the military
- United States NavyUnited States NavyThe United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
- WAVESWAVESThe WAVES were a World War II-era division of the U.S. Navy that consisted entirely of women. The name of this group is an acronym for "Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service" ; the word "emergency" implied that the acceptance of women was due to the unusual circumstances of the war and...
Bibliographies
- Women in the Navy, a bibliography compiled in 1998 by Diana Simpson, Bibliographer, Air University Library, Maxwell AFB.
- Women in the U.S. Navy: Bibliography and Sources from the Naval Historical Center.
- 30 YEARS OF WOMEN AT USNA, selected bibliography of resources available in the Naval Academy's Nimitz Library.
- Bibliography on women in the military from the Women in Military Service for America (WIMSA) Memorial
External links
- Office of Women's Policy (N134W) Bureau of Naval Personnel
- Sea Services Leadership Association supporting motivated Sea Service officers since 1978. (Formerly Women Officers Professional Association.)
- Women Redefined Facebook Fan Page
- Women in the Navy Flickr Images
- Navy For Moms Community