Bossf51

In case anyone out there is wondering, the Coast Guard is a great service for women.

Recently Vice-Adm. Vivien Crea was named the new Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard, the number two job in the service.

Capt. Judith Keene was also named the first female Commandant of Cadets at the Academy.

As a side note, the first woman graduate of any service academy, a CGA grad, recently retired after twenty-five years of service.

The point is, women can hold any job in the CG, from Seamen Apprentice to Commandant; they fly planes and copters, command cutters at sea.

Congrats to all these women, the incoming swabs, and maybe someday soccer1458 will be the SECOND female Commandant of the Coast Guard.

LFWB dad

Boss,

You're right about it being a great place for women, but you're wrong about the first women graduates. The first women to graduate from a service academy graduated from the United States Merchant Marine Academy in 1978. Two years before the other academies.

Bossf51

LFWB read all about it in your "favorite" home-town paper...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...052400038.html

Maybe the key is first female graduate of a "military" service academy.

cadetmom

LFWB dad

That is just like the Post not to have a clue. Given that both USMMA and USCGA were run by the Department of Transprotation at the time.

I have had a button for the last 25 years that says "I don't believe the Post"

This is just one more reason not to believe it.

And remind me again, which of the five academies carries a battle standard? :-)

Jamzmom

http://www.usmma.edu/admissions/women/usmmawomen7.htm

This is what USMMA says. WHOOT!

MarathonMom

The Coast Guard has made great strides to embrace women into the ranks these days. When I was in the guard (80s), women were still new to the branch and we had a lot of unique challenges. Nothing that couldn't be worked out, of course, but it's much better now.

Btw, my son is headed to USAFA. He's decided to sail the winds of the sky, instead of the open seas like his mom and dad. :P

Jamzmom

Big congrats to you marathonmom! This will be a whole new experience for you in having a "fly boy"! I think the Coast Guard is such a remarkable place for women. I sure wish they would publicize more about the opportunities for women. USMMA as well. So much is offered at both academies and so little said to the girls looking at service academies. At our high school, there was no information to be had when I'd directed a young lady last year to look there. She is going to USNA Foundation this year. Sigh. She would have been a great Coastie. Enjoy your son these last few weeks!

soccer1458

The Coast Guard does publicize a bit about the oppurtunities for women. That was definitley a large factor in my decision! So does USMMA, they sent me information about what women can do and succesful women from the Academy. The Coast Guard also sent me some cool stuff about being a woman in the Coast Guard, it looks pretty sweet! I'm excited to say the least...

Jamzmom

You inspire me soccer! I'll make sure that the high schools here have the material they need for girls & guys who are interested. Guess I should make a few phone calls to request info be sent.

I'm excited for you too!!

MarathonMom

As you already know, we are beaming...

soccer1458

Hey MarathonMom, what was your job in the Coast Guard?

MarathonMom

I was Telecommunications Specialist (Radioman) Sexiest voice on the East Coast airwaves...(no just kidding)

ragmanlaw

Yeah I think CG is the only force where women can have any job available. In Army theres idiot sticks, in Navy theres SEALs among other things (subs), in Marine Corps...you gotta be kidding me if you have to ask...Air Force, I imagine they have SOME aerial assault team or something that discriminates against women, but I can't know for sure

CG you can do anything which I think is really cool.

LFWB dad

Actually, the Virginia Class of subs are designed for women and the Navy is actively recruiting female Mids from the class of '08 to be bubbleheads.