WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The 38 selected female sailors are only the first step in a long-term plan approved by Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Jonathan Greenert to integrate the US Navy’s submarine force and provide opportunities for women to serve in all missions, the statement noted.
“Applications from women… 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),” the statement said on Monday.
The Michigan is one of the US Navy's Ohio-class guided-missile submarines based in Bangor, Washington.
“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,” Rear Admiral Charles Richard, Commander of Submarine Group 10 and of the Enlisted Women in Submarines Task Force, said.