Today in History

And some people still ask about whether women have a "place" in the Navy.... a crisp salute of respect to those who have gone before. I love that this article goes way back.

And a special salute to the first two female chiefs I ever met, at my first duty station, ACCS Carol K. and JOC Sylvia R., back in the 20th C., like me, some of the very first non-nurse women at OCONUS duty stations doing line jobs in the late 70's/early 80's. They took this Ensign under their wings and helped me find my feet in a tough first duty station.

Together, we tackled some fun stuff such as:
- Women were not allowed access to the weight room at the base gym. Only access was through men's locker room. We got access (magic! put in a side door!), but they wanted to make it women only at very inconvenient hours. Reason: Might cause men to be distracted and cause injuries. Yes, true. Safety Officer made a big stink.

- The NEX carried no athletic gear or shoes for women. I ran my PRTs wearing men's running shoes stuffed with Kleenex and two pairs of socks. No easy way to order shoes back in the day.

- And, the CO thought a beauty contest for Miss NAVSTA Rota Spain was a great idea, having all the enlisted women compete. If we ever meet at a bar, I will tell you the rest of that one.

We solved all of the above and many more, just as I know those chiefs worked their magic all those years ago and their successors through today doing the same.

Thanks for posting!
 
Capt MJ said:
Reason: Might cause men to be distracted and cause injuries.
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Bless his heart - I think that's a real possibility! :)

Thank you for sharing, CAPT! I can't imagine the world without female Sailors or other female service members.
 
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Thank YOU for increasing my knowledge. I knew chiefs had been around nearly as long as Moses' first cruise down the Nile, but nice to know about earliest women.
 
Capt MJ said:
Thank YOU for increasing my knowledge. I knew chiefs had been around nearly as long as Moses' first cruise down the Nile, but nice to know about earliest women.
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I think the E.O.O.W. (Drum Beater Chief) on that Nile cruise may have been an old steaming partner of mine. Seem to remember hearing the Moses sea stories.
 
Or what about the genius who thought of making the women in the Navy who were officers in to GURLs? General Unrestricted Line. An actual career path for our sisters who blazed the trail.
 
DrMom said:
Or what about the genius who thought of making the women in the Navy who were officers in to GURLs? General Unrestricted Line. An actual career path for our sisters who blazed the trail.
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Ack ack BLEAH. I LOATHED that. General Unrestricted Line, perfectly fine, snarkily reduced to GURL. If I had a hairball, I would still be yakking it up. The men in the community weren't too happy about it either.

Oh my. I lost my forum cool.
[emoji41]
 
@Capt MJ You should know that I did not realize that it was "Girl" until the last few years--when I reflected on it--with my women in combat/women's integration lens. I had a moment of 'OMG. It was there the whole time and I did not see it."
 
I hope it doesnt sound bad to say this, but when I dropped my son at West Point for R day I thought, "you have to be a special kid to be here", and then I saw the young ladies who were being dropped of by their parents, and said to my wife, "their folks must be even more proud, if that is possible". Those gals are going into a field traditionally dominated by men, and I am certain the stigmas and prejudices still exist with some (hopefully fewer as time goes on), thus requiring something beyond what a man would need in terms of earning respect. Then, when you consider what the women pioneers in the military had to do to earn their spot, and earn respect.

I know my father. a Korean War Vet, discouraged my sister from doing ROTC, because he had concerns about sexual advances and other abuses, as well as barriers to promotion. This was during the late 70's. It is good to see that there have been improvements since then. Indeed, I encouraged my daughter, a college sophomore, to consider ROTC. Even reminded her she would be commissioned before her brother. She isn't interested though. But because of those, like Capt, and others, a great military career is an option for young women who have that calling.
 
DrMom said:
@Capt MJ You should know that I did not realize that it was "Girl" until the last few years--when I reflected on it--with my women in combat/women's integration lens. I had a moment of 'OMG. It was there the whole time and I did not see it."
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Ready to join the Loathe Club now? [emoji16]
 
Capt MJ said:
DrMom said:
@Capt MJ You should know that I did not realize that it was "Girl" until the last few years--when I reflected on it--with my women in combat/women's integration lens. I had a moment of 'OMG. It was there the whole time and I did not see it."
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Ready to join the Loathe Club now? [emoji16]
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Just loathe because you are Navy, and that can only be corrected with a lobotomy. But I'm sure last December 10 felt like a lobotomy; or was that a colonoscopy without anesthetic?
 
I thought this thread is about women serving in the Navy. :scratch:
 
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Actual, Brovol, we were discussing the progress made by women in the services rather than Army-Navy football, which is not played by women.
 
The Army women's team is new/young. Is this the second or third year? I am sure they will win. Go Army!
 
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