Posted on 12/09/2012 10:05:12 AM PST by Salman
For the last century all fully-qualified submarine officers have been men. But that all changed when two women were honored with their Navy dolphin pins.
The ceremony on Wednesday at Naval Base Kitsap was a graduation day of sorts with crowds, caps, and uniforms.
From a cluster of colleagues, two female crew members of the USS Maine ballistic missile submarine were called front and center for a designation that made them qualified submariners. The two junior lieutenants were among the first three women in the submarine force's 112-year history to get their dolphins.
"This is the mark where your command puts their confidence in you," said Lieutenant junior grade Jennifer Noonan.
Fellow submariner Lieutenant junior grade Amber Cowan also got her pin and said she was thrilled.
"I'm a little bit in shock I think," she said.
Cowan, a University of Washington graduate, and Noonan, a Boston native, each reported to the USS Maine nearly one year ago after completing 15 months of nuclear power school and rigorous training.
Now, they're officially part of the team.
"They really become like a family more than just the people you work with every day," said Noonan.
The next group of female submariners will begin arriving at boats in January. That's when they'll begin their training toward earning their own dolphin pins.
I hope you’re right, sadly.
How long until theyre pregnant...? They want to use BOOMERS as social experiment labs...?
SOMETHING WILL SPILL.
Trouble: As well there should be. Once again, the best and most qualified were not chosen - this is dangerous to national security, but oh so good for the career and resume for the girls. So happy for that /s/
I’m an ex navy nuke submariner.
Ever hear what happens when a MAN tries to use services for domestic violence..?
He is thrown out on his ear with very little reservation.
Operation Petticoat.
Gives an all new meaning to the order to “DIVE, DIVE, DIVE”.
My son’s a buble-head glow-worm. From what he tells me, they’ll have better luck accomodating them on a boomer than an attack sub.
For some reason this little news story brings to mind the movie, “Down Periscope”.
As for trouble, I doubt it. After all they are Officers and Ladies working along side Officers and Gentlemen. It’s not like they are enlisted people. Right? Right? Sure it’s right.
snicker snicker snort.
this is true, having served on board a fast attack.
The military was the last place where “progressives” had little to no influence, and it was the only thing our government did well. Not anymore.
BZZZTTT! The media gets it wrong again. Junior lieutenants are newly promoted LTs -- O-3. These two are lieutenants, junior grade (O-2). The media goes out of its way to screw-up any article involving the military, as if such continuing mistakes were a badge of honor.
Exactly. We have had some rather notable removals from command recently. Including one for a CO swimming nude with other officers, in front of an entire group of sailors and family members in his command— at his own party.
Good that guy sounds like he should be removed
Sorry. Already taken.
That would be USS Eisenhower CVN 69.
Yeah. And new meaning to ‘’All ahead full!’’.
Dive! Dive! A-oooooooooooo-gah!
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