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One of the first enlisted women to serve aboard a Navy submarine
earned her submarine qualification, or “dolphins,” on August 2, 2016
and is preparing to deploy aboard USS Michigan (SSGN 727).
Chief Culinary Specialist Dominique Saavedra, a native of Los
Angeles, became the first female enlisted Sailor to earn her silver
dolphins in a pinning ceremony held at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard.
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August 2, 2016 - U.S. Navy Captain Joe Turk, commanding officer of
USS Michigan (SSGN 727)(Blue), presents Chief Culinary Specialist
Dominique Saavedra with her submarine qualification certificate
during a ceremony at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. Saavedra the first
female enlisted Sailor to earn the "dolphins." (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Petty Officer Kenneth Takada)
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Though assigned to Michigan, Saavedra embarked aboard USS
Ohio (SSGN 726), which is currently deployed, to earn her
basic, advanced, and underway watch qualifications.
“I couldn't be more proud to wear the ‘dolphins,'” said
Saavedra. “To have earned the respect of my fellow
submariners is more rewarding than expected. I am honored to
serve as a qualified member in such a prestigious
community.”
The Ohio-class guided-missile submarine
is currently conducting a major maintenance period at Puget
Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility.
The submarine completed its time in dry dock and is wrapping
up the maintenance period later this summer. This will bring
the ship one step closer to setting sail for the first time
with female submariners. Work accomplished during the
maintenance period will include the modification of living
quarters for female chief petty officers and enlisted crew
members.
“Chief Saavedra's accomplishment reinforces
the fact that there are very capable women who have the
talent and desire to succeed in the submarine force,” said
Capt. Joe Turk, commanding officer of USS Michigan. “Drawing
from talented individuals like Chief Saavedra helps us
maintain the world's best submarine force.”
In June
2012, the first female supply officer earned her submarine
qualification and the first three unrestricted line officers
earned their gold dolphins the following December.
Structural changes to the submarine weren't necessary at the
time. Because officers bunk in three-man staterooms, the new
female officers' living space was already separated from the
common areas of the ship.
Since the first selections
were made in 2015, female enlisted Sailors have attended the
Basic Enlisted Submarine School at Naval Submarine Base New
London in Groton, Connecticut. Many of those selected had to
cross-rate, which also included retraining in their new
rating.
Thirty-eight Sailors were selected in the
second cycle announced in May 2016 and have entered the
training pipeline; they will be assigned to USS Florida
(SSGN 728), based out of Kings Bay, Georgia.
"This
is a very exciting time for the submarine force and the
Navy,” said Rear Adm. Randy B. Crites, the Enlisted Women in
Submarines Task Force Commander. “We are reaching milestones
that allow us to be more capable than ever by growing and
diversifying our force as these exceptional women make their
way through the training pipeline.”
The third
application window for enlisted women on submarines will be
announced in an October 2016 Naval message, or NAVADMIN. The
selectees for the third round of selections will serve
aboard USS Ohio (SSGN 726), home ported in Bangor,
Washington.
By U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer Kenneth Takada
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2016
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