First enlisted female sub selectees announced

2015-06-23T15:24:57-04:00

First enlisted female sub selectees announced

Navy personnel officials have released the names of 38 enlisted female sailors who will train to be the first cadre of enlisted women to report for duty aboard a submarine.

One senior chief petty officer, three chiefs and 34 other women in pay grades E-4 through E-6 will now get orders to report to submarine school to begin the process of qualifying in submarines.

The names, listed in NavAdmin 142/15, were released June 22, along with the names of another 69 women listed as alternates, who could be called "if a primary selectee is unable to report as assigned," according to the message.

Applications were requested in January and selections began in April. All selectees will convert to a submarine rating as part of their qualification process.

"These selections are a key milestone in the continued integration of the submarine force," Vice Adm. Bill Moran, chief of naval personnel, said in the message," "These sailors will be assigned to the first two of 18 submarine crews included in the initial integration plan.

This initial cadre of enlisted women will integrate the ballistic missile submarine Michigan's Blue and Gold crews. As yet, officials have not released what other eight guided-missile or ballistic missile subs — 16 crews total — will add women in the years to come.

In January, the Navy announced those follow on crews would be integrated over roughly a five-year period through 2021. Then, starting in 2020, the Navy will begin to select women to begin the integration of Virginia-class fast attack submarines.

Female officers have been assigned to SSGNs and SSBNs since 2011 and started to integrate the fast attack submarine Minnesota last fall and the USS Virginia this spring.

The enlisted women selected will begin to report to Michigan in fiscal 2016. In addition, some of the alternate sailors "may be called upon within 90 days to fill an assignment on USS Michigan if a primary selectee does not pass their submarine physical or are otherwise determined to be ineligible for assignment onboard submarines."

This selection includes women converting into the sub force's non-nuclear ratings. The Navy plans to select nuclear-trained female enlisted starting next spring and expects them to report to the boat starting in late 2016.

"Each Michigan crew will have 2 previous junior staff instructors [from any nuclear rating) and 4 prototype graduates (one from each nuclear rating). Female nuclear power sailors "interested in volunteering for submarine duty should inform their chain of command," the message stated. "In early 2016, the chain of command at each NPTU will develop an application package on each submarine volunteer that will aid in the selections."

Navy officials say another round of selections will be announced soon and selection will done in December 2015 or January 2016.

http://www.navytimes.com/story/military/2015/06/22/first-enlisted-women-subs-uss-michigan/29113215/

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 23 at 2015 3:32 PM

2015-06-23T15:32:12-04:00

Thanks so much for sharing! I look forward to hear more about how they do and the interaction with the rest of the team!

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Jun 23 at 2015 4:22 PM

2015-06-23T16:22:40-04:00

I thought Lt. Emily Lake, Diving Officer, on the USS Stingray was the first female sub selectee?

Response by SSgt Dale W. made Jun 23 at 2015 4:41 PM

2015-06-23T16:41:46-04:00

I'm sure there will still be some naysayers no matter what. I'm sure it will all work out. There are sure to be training washouts, but should not be any different percentage wise than men.
Women have been serving on various Nations subs since 1985. Long overdue, I think.

Norway - 1985
Denmark - 1988
Sweden - 1989
Australia - 1998
Germany - 2001
Canada - 2002
United States - 2011 (Test Program - Officers Only)
United Kingdom - 2013

Response by LCDR Doug Nordman made Jun 24 at 2015 12:20 PM

2015-06-24T12:20:51-04:00

I guess BUPERS felt it was better for women officers to blaze the trail-- or at least easier to assign them to the OHIO boats-- but having the senior enlisted women on the boats is long overdue.
Now everyone (including the women JOs) will have a role model to emulate.

Response by LT Jessica Kellogg made Jun 24 at 2015 3:52 PM

2015-06-24T15:52:22-04:00

I know two of the women selected. I think they'll do great. There's no way I would want to be on a sub, but I'm excited they get this opportunity.

Response by CPL Richard Flagg made Jun 24 at 2015 4:18 PM

2015-06-24T16:18:45-04:00

I have to give them credit and much respect for wanting to serve in the Silent Service; just like their male counterparts.

Response by LT Michaline Schalton made Jul 1 at 2015 1:26 PM

2015-07-01T13:26:02-04:00

I was allowed to travel on the USS Benjamin Franklin for a single day in 1984 while stationed as NPS Instructor in Orlando. It was an extraordinarily memorable experience which I treasure to this day. Other than slight hazing in the Ward Room at breakfast -- joking, not funny business -- I was treated with extreme professionalism and respect by both officers and enlisted personnel. I'm glad to see our service is finally realizing the contribution women can make to the submarine service and we owe it to ourselves as a nation to always look for ways to utilize the best and brightest of both sexes.