The US military's ban on women serving on submarines ended quietly today.
The secretary of defence, Robert Gates, said in mid-February that the navy would lift the ban unless Congress took action against it, and the deadline passed at midnight.
"There are extremely capable women in the navy who have the talent and desire to succeed in the submarine force," said the navy secretary, Ray Mabus. "Enabling them to serve in the submarine community is best for the submarine force and our navy."
The navy plans to start by assigning three female officers each in eight different crews of guided-missile attack submarines and ballistic missile submarines. Officials said that since more living space is available aboard those subs, no modification to the vessels will be required.
The first female officers will be assigned after completing a 15-month training programme, which consists of nuclear power school, prototype training, and a submarine officer basic course. The first subs to get women each have about 15 officers and roughly 140 enlisted personnel.
Women make up 15% of the active duty US navy: 52,446 out of the force of 330,700.
