Out at sea on the USS Acadia (AD-42), circa 1983.
The Acadia was the 4th ship in the US Navy to have female sailors permanently assigned onboard. Out of a crew of 1,450, 350 of them were women. They were represented in all job classifications, from Deck Apes (Boatswain's Mates) to Twidgets (Electronics Technicians) to Officers,
@DeerWhispers Good to see. I enlisted in 76, retired in 97. I took a long time to assign women on submarines....
@MessengerFlats I also enlisted in 1976. Got passed over for chief too many times and got out in 1988. Yes, subs were the last frontier for female sailors.
@DeerWhispers So true. Glad to see those changes too....Sorry about the passing over, the vagaries of the service...Stayed a 1st for 7 years then 7 and 8...wierd.
@MessengerFlats It was a matter of timing. So many in my rate going up for chief, not enough slots for advancement, Out of 2,500 going for it, only 250 getting it. Made the Chief's Selection Board every time (3).
@DeerWhispers Understood. When I went up for 9, there were 110 folks...they made 10. I dropped my papers the next day... Good to connect with a contemporary....
@MessengerFlats My little brother made E-8, and retired after 23 years.