U.S. Navy Selects First Female Submariners

The first group of enlisted female sailors has been chosen to serve in the U.S. Navy's submarine force.

Rear Admiral Charles "Chas" Richard, commander, Submarine Group 10 and Enlisted Women in Submarines Task Force Commander, said the interest to apply was impressive.

"We couldn't be more pleased with the amount of interest shown by enlisted women in wanting the opportunity to serve in the undersea warfare domain. It's an exciting time in the submarine force, as we continue to move forward in shaping the future of our force, drawing from the best pool of talent possible." 

Applications from women representing 31 different ratings from shore and sea commands worldwide were received for the initial application period to fill four chief petty officer and 34 rating conversion positions across the two crews of the USS Michigan (SSGN 727). Michigan is one of the Navy's Ohio-class guided-submarines homeported in Bangor, Washington.

Based on the number of applications, the selection process was competitive and used an objective review and scoring of each application. Selections were made based on the sailor's performance in their current rating, the sailor's desired submarine rating assignment, the needs of the ship to fill billets of planned rotations where appropriate, and lastly the needs of the Navy for rating community health, both in the old and new ratings. 

Applications were scored on performance evaluations, warfare qualifications, commanding officer endorsements, sea service time, physical readiness testing, and similarity of current rating to desired submarine rating. 

"There were many exceptional candidates who we were unable to select in this rotation simply because we did not have enough positions open on the first two crews." said Captain Rod Hutton, deputy commander for the Enlisted Women in Submarines Task Force, "These fully qualified sailors have been placed on the alternate list and will automatically be considered when we select the next group in continuing to grow opportunities for women to serve in the submarine force. We look forward to reviewing their records again, as well as those of sailors who want to add their names to the mix this summer and fall." 

With the Sailors having been identified, they will now undergo the standard submarine medical screening process. After they have cleared medical screening, they will begin the training pipeline with Basic Enlisted Submarine School (BESS) in Groton, Connecticut. 

These selections are only the first step in a long-term plan approved by the CNO to integrate the submarine force and provide opportunities for women in the Navy to serve in all types of submarines in support of all missions in the undersea warfare domain. The next window for applications will open in July 2015. The second group of enlisted female submarine conversions will be assigned to another Ohio-class guided-missile submarine, USS Florida (SSGN 729), homeported in Kings Bay, Georgia.