Women in the United States Navy

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 (administrative, medical, etc.) and non-traditional (aviation, combat systems, etc.) ratings or careers. Like their male counterparts, female sailors are expected to adhere to regulations specific to appearance, grooming, and health and fitness; however some differences exist for example in physical fitness tests due to performance and in relation to pregnancy and parenting provisions created to help support military families.

History

Pre–World War I

Women worked as nurses for the Navy as early as the American Civil War. The United States Navy Nurse Corps was officially established in 1908; it was all-female until 1965.^[3][4] After the establishment of the Nurse Corps in 1908 by an Act of Congress, twenty women were selected as the first members and assigned to the Naval Medical School Hospital in Washington, D.C. However, the navy did not provide room or board for them, and so the nurses rented their own house and provided their own meals.^[5] In time, the nurses would come to be known as "The Sacred Twenty" because they were the first women to serve formally as members of the Navy. The "Sacred Twenty" were Mary H. Du Bose; Adah M. Pendleton; Elizabeth M. Hewitt; Della V. Knight; Josephine Beatrice Bowman; Lenah H. Sutcliffe Higbee; Esther Voorhees Hasson, the first Superintendent of the Navy Nurse Corps, 1908–1911; Martha E. Pringle; Elizabeth J. Wells; Clare L. De Ceu.; Elizabeth Leonhardt; Estelle Hine; Ethel R. Parsons; Florence T. Milburn; Boniface T. Small; Victoria White; Isabelle Rose Roy; Margaret D. Murray; Sara B. Myer; and Sara M. Cox. The Nurse Corps gradually expanded to 160 on the eve of World War I. For a few months in 1913, Navy nurses saw their first shipboard service, aboard Mayflower and Dolphin.

World War I

The increased size of the United States Navy in support of World War I increased the need for clerical and administrative support. The U.S. Naval Reserve Act of 1916 permitted the enlistment of qualified "persons" for service; Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels asked, "Is there any law that says a Yeoman must be a man?" and was told there was not.^[6] Thus, the Navy was able to induct its first female sailors into the U.S. Naval Reserve. The first woman to enlist in the U.S. Navy was Loretta Perfectus Walsh on 17 March 1917.^[7] She was also the first American active-duty Navy woman, and the first woman allowed to serve as a woman in any of the United States armed forces, as anything other than as a nurse. Walsh subsequently became the first woman U.S. Navy petty officer when she was sworn in as Chief Yeoman on March 21, 1917. During World War I Navy women served around the continental U.S. and in France, Guam and Hawaii, mostly as Yeomen (F), but also as radio operators, electricians, draftsmen, pharmacists, photographers, telegraphers, fingerprint experts, chemists, torpedo assemblers and camouflage designers. Some black women served as Yeomen (F) and were the first black women to serve as enlisted members of the U.S. armed forces.^[8] These first black women to serve in the Navy were 16 Yeomen (F)—the total would rise to 24^[9]—from some of "Washington's elite black families" who "worked in the Muster Roll division at Washington's Navy Yard...."^[10] All women in the Navy were released from active duty after the end of the war.

World War II

World War II 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.

Two groups of Navy nurses were held prisoner by the Japanese in World War II. Chief Nurse Marion Olds and nurses Leona Jackson, Lorraine Christiansen, Virginia Fogerty and Doris Yetter were taken prisoner on Guam shortly after Pearl Harbor and transported to Japan. They were repatriated in August 1942, although the newspaper did not identify them as Navy nurses. Chief Nurse Laura Cobb and her nurses, Mary Chapman, Bertha Evans, Helen Gorzelanski, Mary Harrington, Margaret Nash, Goldie O'Haver, Eldene Paige, Susie Pitcher, Dorothy Still and C. Edwina Todd (some of the "Angels of Bataan") were captured in 1942 and imprisoned in the Los Baños internment camp, where they continued to function as a nursing unit, until they were rescued by American forces in 1945. Other Los Baños prisoners later said: "We are absolutely certain that had it not been for these nurses many of us who are alive and well would have died."^[11] The nurses were awarded the Bronze Star Medal by the Army, a second award by the Navy and the Army's Distinguished Unit Badge. Ann Agnes Bernatitus, one of the Angels of Bataan, nearly became a POW; she was one of the last to escape Corregidor Island, via the USS Spearfish. Upon her return to the United States she became the first American to receive the Legion of Merit.

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 1970

Major changes occurred for Navy women in the 1970s. Alene Duerk became the first female admiral in the Navy in 1972.^[12][13] In 1976 RADM Fran McKee became the first female unrestricted line officer appointed to flag rank. In 1978, Judge John Sirica ruled the law banning Navy women from ships to be unconstitutional in the case Owens v. Brown. That year, 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.^[3][14] During the 1970s, women began to enter the surface warfare and aviation fields, gained access to officer accession programs previously open only to men, and started to screen for command opportunities ashore.^[15]

In December 2015, Defense Secretary Ash Carter stated that starting in 2016 all combat jobs would open to women.^[16]

Aviation

In 1973 the Secretary of the Navy announced the authorization of naval aviation training for women. LTJG Judith Neuffer 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.^[15]

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.

Benefits

Frontiero v. Richardson, 411 U.S. 677 (1973), was a landmark Supreme Court case ^[17] which decided that benefits given by the military to the family of service members cannot be given out differently because of sex.^[18]

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 1974. The Women Officer School (WOS), Newport, RI, 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.^[15]

Submarines

On 29 April 2010, the Department of the Navy announced authorization of a policy change allowing women to begin serving onboard Navy submarines.^[19][20] The new policy and plan was 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)^[20] were scheduled to enter the standard nuclear submarine training pipeline in July 2010^[21] – and expected to report to submarine duty by late 2011 or early 2012.^[20] Integration of Enlisted females into submarine crews was expected to begin soon thereafter.^[21][22]

Initial candidates for female Submarine Officer positions were 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.^[21] A group of up to eight female Supply Corps Officers was also expected to complete requisite training and begin submarine service in the same time frame.^[20][21]

Initial assignments for female submariners were on the blue and gold crews of selected guided-missile submarines (SSGNs) and ballistic-missile submarines (SSBNs). Two submarines of each type served as the inaugural vessels.^[20][21]

The first group of U.S. female submariners completed nuclear power school and officially reported on board two ballistic and two guided missile submarines in November 2011.^[23]

In 2012, it was announced that 2013 would be the first year women will serve on U.S. attack submarines.^[24]

On 22 June 2012, a Sailor assigned to USS Ohio (SSGN 726) became the first female supply officer to qualify in U.S. submarines. Lt. Britta Christianson of Ohio's Gold Crew received her Submarine Supply Corps "dolphins" from the Gold Crew Commanding Officer Capt. Rodney Mills during a brief ceremony at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PSNS & IMF).^[25]

On 5 December 2012, three Sailors assigned to USS Maine (SSBN 741) and USS Wyoming (SSBN 742) became the first female unrestricted line officers to qualify in U.S. submarines.^[26] Lt. j.g. Marquette Leveque, a native of Fort Collins, Colo., assigned to the Gold Crew of Wyoming, and Lt. j.g. Amber Cowan and Lt. j.g. Jennifer Noonan [ROTC Cornell University], a native of Scituate MA, both of Maine's Blue Crew received their submarine "dolphins" during separate ceremonies at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Ga., and Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor, Wash.^[26]

In 2013, Navy Secretary Ray Mabus said that the first women to join Virginia-class attack subs had been chosen: They were newly commissioned female officers scheduled to report to their subs in fiscal year 2015.^[27]

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.^[15]

Timeline of women in the United States Navy

Year	Event
1908	The Navy Nurse Corps was established; it was all-female until 1965.[3][4]
1917	Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels announced that the Navy would enlist women on 17 March.[28]
1917	Loretta Perfectus Walsh became the first woman to enlist in the Navy on 17 March.[7]
1942	President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Public Law 689 creating the Navy’s women reserve program on 30 July 1942.[28]
1942	Lieutenant Commander Mildred H. McAfee, USNR, Director of the WAVES, became the Navy’s first female Line Officer.[28]
1944	Lieutenant Harriet Ida Pickens and Ensign Frances Wills were commissioned as the first African-American female Navy officers.[28]
1944	Sue Dauser, the Director of the Navy Nurse Corps, became the first female Captain in the Navy.[29]
1948	On 15 October 1948, the first eight women were commissioned in the regular Navy: Joy Bright Hancock, Winifred Quick Collins, Ann King, Frances Willoughby, Ellen Ford, Doris Cranmore, Doris Defenderfer, and Betty Rae Tennant took their oaths as naval officers.[30]
1959	Yeoman Anna Der-Vartanian was the first woman in the Navy promoted to Master Chief Petty Officer, and the first woman in the Armed Services promoted to E-9.[31]
1961	Lieutenant Charlene I. Suneson became the first line WAVES officer to be ordered to shipboard duty.[32]
1967	Public Law 90-130 was signed into law; it removed legal ceilings on women's promotions that had kept them out of the general and flag ranks, and dropped the two percent ceiling on officer and enlisted strengths for women in the armed forces.[33]
1972	Alene Duerk became the first female admiral in the Navy.[12][13]
1973	Frontiero v. Richardson, 411 U.S. 677 (1973), was a landmark Supreme Court case [17] which decided that benefits given by the military to the family of service members cannot be given out differently because of sex.[18]
1974	Lieutenant Junior Grade Barbara Ann (Allen) Rainey became the first Navy woman to earn her wings on 22 February 1974.[34]
1974	The first women were commissioned through NROTC.[35]
1976	Fran McKee became the Navy's first female unrestricted line flag officer.[36]
1978	Navy Nurse Joan C. Bynum became the first black woman promoted to the rank of Captain.[34]
1978	Judge John Sirica ruled the law banning Navy women from ships to be unconstitutional in the case Owens v. Brown. That same year, 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.[3][37]
1979	Lieutenant Lynn Spruill became the first female Navy pilot qualified to land on aircraft carriers.[38]
1979	The first woman in the Navy to qualify as a Surface Warfare Officer did so this year.[39]
1980	The first women graduated from the Naval Academy. There were 81 women in the class of 1980 at the Naval Academy, and 55 of them graduated. Elizabeth Belzer was the first female graduate and Janie L. Mines was the first black female graduate.[34]
1984	Kristine Holderied became the first female valedictorian of the Naval Academy.[40]
1990	Rear Admiral Marsha J. Evans became the first woman to command a Naval Station.[41]
1990	Lieutenant Commander Darlene Iskra became the first Navy woman to command a ship, USS Opportune (ARS-41).[42]
1991	The Tailhook scandal occurred, in which Navy (and Marine Corps) aviators were accused of sexually assaulting 83 women (and 7 men) at the Tailhook convention in Las Vegas.[43]
1996	Patricia Tracey became the first female three star officer (Vice Admiral) in the Navy.[44]
1998	CDR Maureen A. Farren became the first woman to command a combatant ship in the Navy.[41]
1998	Lillian Fishburne became the first African-American woman promoted to flag rank in the Navy.[41]
2006 (Carol M Pottenger) became the first woman to command an expeditionary strike group in the Navy	2010	Nora Tyson became the first woman to command a carrier strike group in the Navy.[45]
2011	The first group of female submariners in the Navy completed nuclear power school and officially reported on board two ballistic and two guided missile submarines in November 2011.[23]
2012	Commander Monika Washington Stoker became the first African American woman to take command of a Navy missile destroyer.[46]
2012	Five "Tigertails" of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron One Two Five (VAW-125), embarked aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) as part of Carrier Air Wing Seventeen (CVW-17), flew an historic flight on 25 January when they participated in the Navy's first all-female E-2C Hawkeye combat mission.[47]
2012	On 22 June 2012, a Sailor assigned to USS Ohio (SSGN 726) became the first female supply officer to qualify in submarines in the Navy. Lt. Britta Christianson of Ohio's Gold Crew received her Submarine Supply Corps "dolphins" from the Gold Crew Commanding Officer Capt. Rodney Mills during a brief ceremony at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PSNS & IMF).[25]
2012	On 5 December 2012, three Sailors assigned to USS Maine (SSBN 741) and USS Wyoming (SSBN 742) became the first female unrestricted line officers to qualify in submarines in the Navy.[26] LTJG Marquette Leveque, a native of Fort Collins, Colo., assigned to the Gold Crew of Wyoming, and LTJG Amber Cowan and LTJG Jennifer Noonan [ROTC Cornell University], a native of Scituate MA, both of Maine's Blue Crew received their submarine "dolphins" during separate ceremonies at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Ga., and Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor, Wash.[26]
2012	Robin Braun became the first female commander of the Navy Reserve, making her the first woman to lead any Reserve component of the military.[48]
2014	Michelle J. Howard became the first female four-star admiral in the Navy.[1]
2014	In July 2014, Marine Corps Captain Katie Higgins became the first female pilot to join the Blue Angels, the Navy's flight demonstration squadron. She piloted the team's KC-130 Hercules support aircraft, "Fat Albert."[49]
2015	Nora Tyson was installed as the commander of the Navy’s Third Fleet, making her the first woman to lead a Navy ship fleet.[50][51]
2015	Cheryl Hansen became the first female commander of the Naval Construction Battalion Center in Gulfport, Mississippi.[52]
2015	In December 2015, Defense Secretary Ash Carter stated that starting in 2016 all combat jobs would open to women.[16]

Careers

In the Navy, women are currently eligible to serve in all ratings. In 2013 Leon Panetta removed the U.S. military's ban on women serving in combat, overturning a 1994 rule prohibiting women from being assigned to smaller ground combat units. Panetta's decision gave the U.S. military services until January 2016 to seek special exceptions if they believed any positions must remain closed to women. The services had until May 2013 to draw up a plan for opening all units to women and until the end of 2015 to actually implement it.^[53][54] In December 2015, Defense Secretary Ash Carter stated that starting in 2016 all combat jobs would open to women.^[16]

The former policy set by Congress and the Secretary of Defense, effective 1 October 1994, excluded women from direct ground combat billets in the military, stating:

"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.

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) include different standards for male and female sailors. PRT is a series of physical activities designed to evaluate factors that enable members to perform physically. Factors evaluated are:

• Muscular strength and endurance via:

1. Curl-ups
2. Push-ups

• Aerobic capacity via:

1. 1.5-mile run/walk, or
2. 500-yard or 450-meter swim

PT Fitness Standards (NSW/NSO programs only):

• The PST consists of five (5) events:

1. 500-yard swim (using sidestroke or breaststroke)
2. Push-Ups (as many as possible in 2-minutes)
3. Sit-Ups (as many as possible in 2-minutes)
4. Pull-Ups (as many as possible, no time limit)
5. 1 ½ mile run

Navy Family Life

Benefits

Frontiero v. Richardson, 411 U.S. 677 (1973), was a landmark Supreme Court case ^[17] which decided that benefits given by the military to the family of service members cannot be given out differently because of sex.^[18]

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 effort, within reason, will be made for military couples and family members to move & serve together. Co-op 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.^[55]

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.^[56]

Controversy

Pregnancy

In her 1995 book, Jean Zimmerman 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."^[57] 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.^[58]

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."^[59]

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 1 August 2009. Tilghman further reports that Navy Personnel Command is reviewing the report.^[60]

Sexual orientation

Before the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy was enacted in 1993, lesbians and bisexual women (and gay men and bisexual men) were banned from serving in the military.^[61] In 1993 the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy was enacted, which mandated that the military could not ask servicemembers about their sexual orientation.^[62][63] However, until the policy was ended in 2011 service members were still expelled from the military if they engaged in sexual conduct with a member of the same sex, stated that they were lesbian, gay, or bisexual, and/or married or attempted to marry someone of the same sex.^[64]

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.^[19][20] 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.^[65]

In October 2009, the Secretary of the Navy announced that he and the Chief of Naval Operations were moving aggressively to change the policy.^[22] 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^[22] 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.^[19][22]

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 29 April 2010, that it had authorized women to serve onboard submarines moving forward.^[20]

The first group of U.S. female submariners completed nuclear power school and officially reported on board two ballistic and two guided missile submarines in November 2011.^[23]

Admirals

Alene Duerk became the first female admiral in the Navy in 1972.^[12][13] Michelle J. Howard became the first female four-star admiral in the Navy in 2014.^[1]

	Name	Commission	Position	Community	RDML	RADM	VADM	ADM	Retired	Notes
1	Howard, Michelle J.Michelle J. Howard	1982 (USNA)	Vice Chief of Naval Operations	Surface Warfare	2006	2010	2012	2014		Currently on active duty.
2	Tracey, Patricia A.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.
3	Rondeau, Ann E.Ann E. Rondeau	1974 (OCS)	President, National Defense University	Fleet Support	1999	2002	2005		2012	Retired.
4	Brown, Nancy ElizabethNancy Elizabeth Brown	1974 (OCS)	Director for C4 Systems (J6)	URL	2000	2003	2006		2009	Retired.
5	Pottenger, Carol M.Carol M. Pottenger	1977 (ROTC)	Deputy Chief of Staff for Capability and Development, Supreme Allied Commander Transformation	Surface Warfare	2003	2007	2010		2013	Retired.
6	DeRenzi, Nanette M.Nanette M. DeRenzi	1984 (ROTC)	Judge Advocate General of the Navy	JAG	2009  [66]	2009	2012			Currently on active duty.
7	Braun, RobinRobin Braun	1980	Chief of Navy Reserve/Commander, Navy Reserve Force	Reserve, Naval Aviator	2007	2011	2012			Currently serving. 1st female commander of the Navy Reserve.
8	Tyson, Nora W.Nora W. Tyson	1979 (OCS)	Deputy Commander, U. S. Fleet Forces Command	Naval Flight Officer	2007	2011	2013			First woman to command a carrier strike group.
9	Tighe, JanJan Tighe	1984 (USNA)	Commander, U.S. Fleet Cyber Command, Commander U. S. 10th Fleet	IDW/Crypto	2010	2013	2014			First female IDW flag officer. First woman to command a numbered fleet.
10	McKee, FranFran McKee	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
11	Hazard, Roberta L.Roberta L. Hazard	1960	Assistant Chief of Naval Personnel, Personnel Readiness and Community Support 1989–1992	URL	1984	1989			1992	First woman to command a Navy training command (NTC San Diego 1982).
12	Evans, Marsha J.Marsha J. Evans	1967	Superintendent of the Naval Postgraduate School 1995–1998	Fleet Support	1992	1996			1998	Retired.
13	Engel, Joan MarieJoan Marie Engel	1969	18th Director, Navy Nurse Corps 1994–1998	SHCE (Nurse Corps)	1994	1997			2000	18th Director, Navy Nurse Corps.
14	McGann, Barbara E.Barbara E. McGann	1970 (OCS)	Provost, Naval War College 2000–2002	URL	1994	1998			2002	Notes.
15	Froman, VeronicaVeronica Froman	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.
16	Potter, Bonnie BurnhamBonnie Burnham Potter	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.
17	Paige, KathleenKathleen Paige	1971	Program Director, Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense 2003–2005	Engineering Duty Officer	1996	2001			2005	Retired.
18	Harmeyer, Karen A.Karen A. Harmeyer	1975	Chief of Staff, Chief of Naval Operations, N093R, Washington, D.C.	SHCE (Nurse Corps)	1997	2001			2002	Retired. 1st female two-star in the Reserves.
19	Martin, Kathleen L.Kathleen L. Martin	1973 (OIS)	Deputy Surgeon General of the Navy/ Vice Chief, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery 2002–2005	SHCE (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.
20	Brown, Annette E.Annette E. Brown	1974 (OCS)	Commander, Navy Region Southeast (2002)	Fleet Support	1999	2002			2005	Retired.
21	Bird, Linda J.Linda J. Bird	1974 (OCS)	Director, Supply, Ordnance and Logistics Operations Division, N41 2003–2005	Supply Corps	1999	2002?			2005	Retired.
22	Morris, Elizabeth M.Elizabeth M. Morris	1973 (OIS)	Deputy Chief for Reserve Affairs at the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery 2005–2006?	SHCE (Nurse Corps)	2001	2004			2006	Retired.
23	Lescavage, Nancy J.Nancy J. Lescavage	1972 (OIS)	Senior Health Care Executive Regional Director, TRICARE Regional Office – West	SHCE (Nurse Corps)	2003	2004				Retired.20th Director of the Navy Nurse Corps.
24	Crisp, Donna L.Donna L. Crisp	1974 (OCS)	Commander, Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command	URL	2001	2005				Retired.
25	Gilbride, Ann D.Ann D. Gilbride	1978 (OCS)	Director, National Maritime Intelligence Center	Reserve	2003	2006			?	Retired.
26	Redpath, Sharon H.Sharon H. Redpath	1976 (ROTC)	Vice Commander, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command, Commander, Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group	Reserve	2003	2006			2009	Retired
27	Hight, Elizabeth A.Elizabeth A. Hight	1977 (OCS)	Vice Director, Defense Information Systems Agency	URL	2003	2006			?	Retired. First woman to Command the JTF-GNO, after serving as its Deputy Commander. First woman Vice Director at DISA.
28	Bruzek-Kohler, ChristineChristine Bruzek-Kohler	1974	Commander, Navy Medicine West, Naval Medical Center San Diego	Nurse Corps	2004	2009			2010	Retired. 21st Director of the Navy Nurse Corps.
29	Hunter, Christine S.Christine S. Hunter	1980	deputy director, TRICARE Management Activity	Medical	2004	2009				Retired.
30	Carpenter, Wendi B.Wendi B. Carpenter	1977 (AOCS)	Commander, Navy Warfare Development Command, Norfolk	Reserve	2004	2008			2011	Retired. First female naval aviator promoted to Flag rank.
31	Flaherty, KarenKaren Flaherty	1973 (OIS)	Deputy Surgeon General of Navy Medicine	Nurse Corps	2003	2008				Retired. 22nd Director of the Navy Nurse Corps.
32	Flanders, Moira N.Moira N. Flanders	1978 (OCS)	Director, Inter-American Defense College	URL	2005	2007				Retired.
33	Dussault, Kathleen M.Kathleen M. Dussault	1979 (OCS)	Director, Supply, Ordnance and Logistics Operations Division (OPNAV N41)	Supply Corps	2006	2009				Retired.
34	Hamby, Janice M.Janice M. Hamby	1980 (ROTC)	Vice Director for C4 Systems (J6)	URL, then Information Professional[67]	2006	2009			2012	Retired.
35	Niemyer, Elizabeth S.Elizabeth S. Niemyer	1981	Director, Navy Nurse Corps	Nurse Corps	2008	2010				Retired. 23rd Director of the Navy Nurse Corps
36	Wolfe, Patricia E.Patricia E. Wolfe	1981 (ROTC)	Commander, Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group (NAVELSG)	Reserve, Supply Corps	2007	2010				Retired.
37	Covell, Cynthia A.Cynthia A. Covell	1980 (OCS)	Director, Total Force Requirements Division (OPNAV N12)	Navy Human Resources Officer	2008	2011				Retired.
38	Klein, Margaret D.Margaret D. Klein	1981 (USNA)	SENIOR ADVISOR TO THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE FOR MILITARY PROFESSIONALISM	Naval Flight Officer	2008	2011				82nd Commandant of Midshipmen, USNA – first woman.
39	Daniels, Sandy L.Sandy L. Daniels	1980 (USNA)	SENIOR ADVISOR FOR SPACE TO THE DEPUTY CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS FOR INFORMATION DOMINANCE (OPNAV N2/N6)	Reserve	2007	2012				Currently serving.
40	Gregory, Katherine L.Katherine L. Gregory	1982 (USNA)	COMMANDER, NAVAL FACILITIES ENGINEERING COMMAND, CHIEF OF CIVIL ENGINEERS	CEC	2010	2012				First female CEC admiral.
41	Train, Elizabeth L.Elizabeth L. Train	1983 (OCS)	DIRECTOR, NATIONAL MARITIME INTELLIGENCE-INTEGRATION OFFICE, COMMANDER, OFFICE OF NAVAL INTELLIGENCE	Intelligence	2009	2012				Currently on active duty.
42	Brown, Paula C.Paula C. Brown	1982	DEPUTY COMMANDER, NAVAL FACILITIES ENGINEERING COMMAND, DEPUTY CHIEF OF CIVIL ENGINEERS	CEC	2010	2013				Currently on active duty.
43	Wagner, Elaine C.Elaine C. Wagner	1984	DEPUTY CHIEF, BUREAU OF MEDICINE AND SURGERY, WOUNDED, ILL AND INJURED	Dental Corps	2010	2013				Currently on active duty. Chief of the Naval Dental Corps, 2010 – present.
44	Coetzee, Althea H.Althea H. Coetzee	1985 (USNA)	DEPUTY DIRECTOR, CONTINGENCY CONTRACTING, DEFENSE PROCUREMENT AND ACQUISITION POLICY (DPAP), OSD (ACQUISITION TECHNOLOGY & LOGISTICS)	Supply Corps	2011	2014				Currently on active duty.
45	Donovan, Janet R.Janet R. Donovan	1983	RESERVE DEPUTY JUDGE ADVOCATE GENERAL	JAG	2012	2014				Currently serving.
46	Herb, Martha E. G.Martha E. G. Herb	1979 (OCS)	RESERVE DEPUTY COMMANDER, NAVAL INSTALLATIONS COMMAND	Reserve	2010	2014				currently serving.
47	Huegel, Valerie K.Valerie K. Huegel	1980 (OCS)	COMMANDER, NAVY EXPEDITIONARY LOGISTICS SUPPORT GROUP	Supply Corps	2011	2014				Currently on active duty.
48	McCormick-Boyle, Rebecca J.Rebecca J. McCormick-Boyle	1981	Chief of Staff, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery	Nurse Corps	2011	2014				Currently on active duty.
49	Kibben, Margaret G.Margaret G. Kibben	1986 (OIS)	Chaplain of the United States Marine Corps, deputy chief of Navy Chaplains	Chaplain Corps	2010	2014				18th Chaplain of the USMC, first female chaplain at USNA.
50	Duerk, Alene B.Alene B. Duerk	1943	Director Navy Nurse Corps 1970–1975	Nurse Corps	1972				1975	First female admiral in the United States Navy. Director Navy Nurse Corps 1970–1975.
51	Conder, MaxineMaxine Conder	1951	Director, Navy Nurse Corps 1975–1979	Nurse Corps	1975				1979?	Director, Navy Nurse Corps.
52	Shea-Buckley, FrancesFrances Shea-Buckley	1951	14th Director, Navy Nurse Corps 1979–1983	Nurse Corps	1979				1983	14th Director, Navy Nurse Corps.
53	Hartington, PaulinePauline Hartington	1953	Commander, Naval Training Center Orlando	URL	1981				1983?	Second woman line officer selected for flag rank.
54	Hopper, GraceGrace Hopper	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) named for RADM Hopper.
55	Nielubowicz, Mary JoanMary Joan Nielubowicz	1951	15th Director, Navy Nurse Corps 1983–1987	Nurse Corps	1983				1987	Retired. 15th Director, Navy Nurse Corps.
56	Hall, Mary F.Mary F. Hall	1959	16th Director, Navy Nurse Corps 1987–1991	Nurse Corps	1987				1991	Retired. Director, Navy Nurse Corps.
57	Wilmot, Louise C.Louise C. Wilmot	1964	Commander, Naval Base Philadelphia −1994	URL	1988				1994	Retired. First woman to command a naval base.
58	Stratton, MariannMariann Stratton	1966	17th Director, Navy Nurse Corps 1991–1994	Nurse Corps	1991				1994	Retired. 17th Director, Navy Nurse Corps.
59	Ibach, Maryanne T. GallagherMaryanne T. Gallagher Ibach	1964		Reserve Nurse Corps	1990				1995	Retired. First Reserve flag officer for Navy Nurse Corps.
60	Laughton, Katharine L.Katharine L. Laughton	1963	Commander, Naval Space Command, Dahlgren, VA 1995–1997	Fleet Support	1993				1997	Retired.
61	Fackler, Nancy A.Nancy A. Fackler	1962	Deputy Director of the Navy Nurse Corps for Reserve Affairs	Reserve Nurse Corps	1994				1997	retired.
62	Barnes, Jacqueline O. (Allison)Jacqueline O. (Allison) Barnes	????	Director, On-Site Inspection Directorate 1998–2000	Fleet Support	1996				2000	Retired.
63	Fishburne, Lillian E.Lillian E. Fishburne	1973 (OCS)	Director, Information Transfer Division for the Space, Information Warfare, Command and Control Directorate ?-2001	URL	1998				2001	Retired. First African-American woman to achieve flag rank.
64	Drew, Marianne B.Marianne B. Drew	1967	Deputy Commander, Navy Personnel Command	Reserve, Fleet Support	1998				2002	Retired.
65	Mariano, EleanorEleanor Mariano	1977	White House Physician	Medical Corps	2000				2001	Retired. First Filipino-American flag officer.
66	Levitre, Rosanne M.Rosanne M. Levitre	1973 (OCS)	Director of Intelligence, J2, U.S. Joint Forces Command	Intelligence	2000				2005	Retired. First Director, Navy Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), FORCEnet. First female Intel officer selected for flag rank in the United States Navy.
67	Turner, Carol I.Carol I. Turner	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.
68	Loewer, DeborahDeborah Loewer	1976 (OCS)	Commander, Mine Warfare Command 2005–2006	Surface Warfare	2003				2007	Retired. First warfare-qualified woman selected for flag rank in the United States Navy.
69	Dullea, Cynthia A.Cynthia A. Dullea	1980 (OIS)	Deputy Commander, Navy Medicine National Capital Area	Reserve	2007					Retired.
70	Young, Maude ElizabethMaude Elizabeth Young	1984 (USNA)	Director, Systems Engineering National Reconnaissance Office; Commander, SPAWAR Space Field Activity (SSFA), PEO for Space Systems, USN	URL	2008					Retired.
71	Eleanor V. Valentin	1982	Director, Medical Service Corps, Commander, Navy Medicine Support Command, Jacksonville, Florida	MSC	2009					Retired. 16th director of the Medical Service Corps (first female director)
72	Graf, Robin L.Robin L. Graf	1981 (OCS)	Deputy Commander, Navy Recruiting Command	URL	2009					Retired.
73	Webber, Diane E. H.Diane E. H. Webber	?	COMMANDER, NAVY CYBER FORCES	URL	2009					Currently on active duty.
74	Phillips, Ann ClaireAnn Claire Phillips	1983 (ROTC)	Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group Two	Surface Warfare	2010					Retired.
75	Herbert, Gretchen S.Gretchen S. Herbert[68]	1984 (ROTC)	Assistant Chief of Naval Operations, Next Generation Enterprise Network (NGEN)	URL	2010					Retired.
76	Rykowski, Margaret A.Margaret A. Rykowski	1987	Fleet Surgeon, Third Fleet	NNC	2010					Retired.
77	Adams, Sandra E.Sandra E. Adams	1981 (OCS)	Deputy Commander, Naval Expeditionary Combat Command	URL (SWO)	2011					Currently on active duty.
78	Bono, Raquel C.Raquel C. Bono	1979	DIRECTOR, NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION MEDICAL DIRECTORATE, CHIEF, NAVY MEDICAL CORPS	Medical Corps	2011					Currently on active duty.
79	Andrews, Annie B.Annie B. Andrews	?? (ROTC)	COMMANDER, NAVY RECRUITING COMMAND	Navy Human Resources Officer	2011					Currently on active duty.
80	Jaynes, Cindy L.Cindy L. Jaynes	1983 (OCS)	PROGRAM EXECUTIVE OFFICER FOR AIR ASW, ASSAULT & SPECIAL MISSION PROGRAMS, PEO(A)	AMDO	2011					Currently on active duty.
81	Alvarado, Christina M.Christina M. Alvarado	1988	Deputy Commander, Navy Medicine East	Nurse Corps	2013					Currently on active duty.
82	Bolivar, BabetteBabette Bolivar		COMMANDER, NAVY REGION NORTHWEST	EOD	2013					Currently on active duty.
83	Coe, Priscilla B.Priscilla B. Coe		DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF, BUREAU OF MEDICINE AND SURGERY, DEPUTY CHIEF, NAVY RESERVE DENTAL CORPS	Dental Corps	2013					Currently on active duty.
84	Franchetti, LisaLisa Franchetti	1985 (NROTC)	COMMANDER, U.S. NAVAL FORCES KOREA, COMMANDER, U.S. NAVY REGION KOREA	SWO	2013					Currently on active duty.
85	Grocki, Alma M.Alma M. Grocki	1981 (USNA)	DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF FOR FLEET MAINTENANCE, COMMANDER, U.S. PACIFIC FLEET	Reserve EDO	2013					Currently serving.
86	Haven, Deborah P.Deborah P. Haven		COMMANDER, DEFENSE CONTRACT MANAGEMENT AGENCY INTERNATIONAL	Reserve Supply Corps	2013					Currently serving.
87	Norton, Nancy A.Nancy A. Norton	1987 (OCS)	DIRECTOR FOR COMMAND, CONTROL, COMMUNICATIONS AND CYBER, U.S. PACIFIC COMMAND	URL	2013					Currently on active duty.
88	Sweredoski, BarbaraBarbara Sweredoski	1985 (NROTC)	RESERVE DEPUTY, MILITARY PERSONNEL PLANS & POLICY N13R	HR	2013					Currently serving.
89	Thebaud, CynthiaCynthia Thebaud	1985 (USNA)	COMMANDER, LOGISTICS GROUP WESTERN PACIFIC, COMMANDER, TASK FORCE 73, SINGAPORE AREA COORDINATOR	SWO	2013					Currently on active duty.

See also

• Timeline of women in warfare in Colonial America
• Timeline of women in warfare in the United States before 1900
• Timeline of women in warfare in the United States from 1900 to 1949
• Timeline of women in warfare in the United States from 1950 to 1999
• Timeline of women in warfare in the United States since 2000
• United States Navy Nurse Corps
• United States Marine Corps Women's Reserve
• WAVES

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Women in the United States Navy.

Further reading

• Godson, Susan H. (2001). Serving Proudly: A History of Women in the U.S. Navy. Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-55750-317-6. 
• Ebbert, Jean and Marie-Beth Hall (1999). Crossed Currents: Navy Women in a Century of Change [Third Edition, Revised and Updated]. Washington, D.C.: Brassey's. ISBN 978-1-57488-193-6. 
• Ebbert, Jean and Marie-Beth Hall (2002). The First, the Few, the Forgotten: Navy and Marine Corps Women in World War I. Annapolis, MD: The Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-55750-203-X. 
• Sterner, Doris M. (1997). In and Out of Harm's Way: A history of the U.S. Navy Nurse Corps. Seattle, WA: Peanut Butter Publishing. ISBN 0-89716-706-6. 
• Hancock, Joy Bright Captain, U.S. Navy (Retired) (1972). Lady in the Navy: A Personal Reminiscence. Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0-87021-336-9. 
• Collins, Winifred Quick Captain, U.S. Navy (Retired); Levine, Herbert (1997). More Than A Uniform: A Navy Woman in a Navy Man's World. Denton, TX: University of North Texas Press. ISBN 1-57441-022-9. 
• Holm, Jeanne Maj Gen, USAF (Ret) (1972). Women in the Military: An Unfinished Revolution [Revised Edition]. Novato, CA: Presidio Press. ISBN 0891414509. 
• Zimmerman, Jean (1995). Tailspin: Women at War in the Wake of Tailhook. New York: Doubleday. ISBN 0-385-47789-9. 

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 - a Facebook Page for Women in the Navy
• Women in the Navy Flickr Images
• Navy For Moms Community