Recruiting Gender Neutral, Seabees Open to Women

0 Comments | US Navy Press Releases, Jun 15, 1994

In two moves that further signify the Navy's commitment to complete integration of women throughout the Navy, recruiting goals for enlisted Sailors will no longer be established by gender, and women are being ordered to duty at Naval Mobile Construction Battalions.

The change in recruiting goals marks the first time in the Navy's history that enlisted recruiting has been gender neutral. Officer recruiting became gender neutral in March 1994.

Previously, the Navy had held the number of women enlisted into the Navy at about ten percent of the total of its recruits. The quota removal means more women will become a larger percentage of the Navy's force of enlisted Sailors, and reflects the fact than more than 97 percent of the enlisted force job categories are open to women.

"This means there are fantastic opportunities for women entering the Navy," said VADM R. J. Zlatoper, Chief of Naval Personnel. "The Navy is committed to putting the best person in the job, no matter the gender."

The change in assignment policy for Seabees is significant, because it opens more than 4,000 sea going billets to women, at all eight construction battalions. More than 100 enlisted women and 14 women officers are under orders to these units, and by October 1994, all eight battalions will have women assigned. By LT Dan Bates, BUPERS Public Affairs