CNO {Z-116}
TO: NAVOP
UNCLAS //N05350//
071115Z AUG 72
EQUAL RIGHTS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN IN THE NAVY
1. THERE HAS BEEN MUCH DISCUSSION AND DEBATE WITH RESPECT TO EQUAL
OPPORTUNITY FOR WOMEN IN OUR COUNTRY OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS.
MY POSITION WITH RESPECT TO WOMEN IN THE NAVY IS THAT THEY HAVE
HISTORICALLY PLAYED A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN THE ACCOMPLISHMENT OF
OUR NAVAL MISSION. HOWEVER, I BELIEVE WE CAN DO FAR MORE THAN
WE HAVE IN THE PAST IN ACCORDING WOMEN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY TO CONTRIBUTE
THEIR EXTENSIVE TALENTS AND TO ACHIEVE FULL PROFESSIONAL STATUS.
MOREOVER, THE IMMINENCE OF AN ALL VOLUNTEER FORCE HAS HEIGHTENED
THE IMPORTANCE OF WOMEN AS A VITAL PERSONNEL RESOURCE. I FORESEE
THAT IN THE NEAR FUTURE WE MAY VERY WELL HAVE AUTHORITY TO UTILIZE
OFFICER AND ENLISTED WOMEN ON BOARD SHIPS. IN VIEW OF THIS POSSIBILITY
WE MUST BE IN A POSITION TO UTILIZE WOMEN'S TALENTS TO HELP US
ACHIEVE THE SIZE NAVY WE NEED UNDER AN ALL VOLUNTEER FORCE ENVIRONMENT
AND STILL MAINTAIN THE SEA SHORE ROTATION GOALS FOR ALL NAVAL
PERSONNEL TOWARDS WHICH WE HAVE BEEN WORKING. TO THIS END THE
SECRETARY OF THE NAVY AND I HAVE ESTABLISHED A TASK FORCE TO LOOK
AT ALL LAWS, REGULATIONS AND POLICIES THAT MUST BE CHANGED IN
ORDER TO ELIMINATE ANY DISADVANTAGES TO WOMEN RESULTING FROM EITHER
LEGAL OR ATTITUDINAL RESTRICTIONS.
2. AS ANOTHER STEP TOWARD ENSURING THAT WOMEN IN THE NAVY WILL
HAVE EQUAL OPPORTUNITY TO CONTRIBUTE THEIR TALENTS AND BACKGROUND
TO ACCOMPLISHMENT OF OUR MISSIONS, WE ARE TAKING THE FOLLOWING
ACTIONS:
A. IN ADDITION TO THE ENLISTED RATINGS THAT HAVE RECENTLY BEEN
OPENED, AUTHORIZE LIMITED ENTRY OF ENLISTED WOMEN INTO ALL RATINGS.
B. THE ULTIMATE GOAL, ASSIGNMENT OF WOMEN TO SHIPS AT SEA, WILL
BE TIMED TO COINCIDE WITH FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF PENDING LEGISLATION.
AS AN IMMEDIATE STEP, A LIMITED NUMBER OF OFFICER AND ENLISTED
WOMEN ARE BEING ASSIGNED to THE SHIP'S COMPANY OF USS SANCTUARY
AS A PILOT PROGRAM. THIS PROGRAM WILL PROVIDE VALUABLE PLANNING
INFORMATION REGARDING THE PROSPECTIVE INCREASED UTILIZATION OF
WOMEN AT SEA.
C. PENDING FORMAL CHANGES TO NAVY REGULATIONS SUSPEND RESTRICTIONS
REGARDING WOMEN SUCCEEDING TO COMMAND ASHORE AND ASSIGN THEM ACCORDINGLY.
D. ACCEPT APPLICATIONS FROM WOMEN OFFICERS FOR THE CHAPLAIN AND
CIVIL ENGINEER CORPS, THEREBY OPENING ALL STAFF CORPS TO WOMEN.
E. EXPAND ASSIGNMENT OF TECHNICALLY QUALIFIED UNRESTRICTED LINE
WOMEN TO RESTRICTED LINE BILLETS AND, AT THE TIME OF LEGISLATIVE
AUTHORIZATION, PERMIT THEM TO REQUEST DESIGNATOR CHANGES
F. OFFER VARIOUS PATHS OF PROGRESSION TO FLAG RANK WITHIN THE
TECHNICAL, MANAGERIAL SPECTRUM IN ESSENTIALLY THE SAME MANNER
AS WE ARE CONTEMPLATING FOR MALE OFFICERS.
G. ASSIGN THE DETAILING OF UNRESTRICTED WOMEN OFFICERS TO THEIR
COGNIZANT GRADE DETAILERS.
H. INCREASE OPPORTUNITY FOR WOMEN'S PROFESSIONAL GROWTH BY:
{1} ELIMINATING THE PATTERN OF ASSIGNING WOMEN EXCLUSIVELY TO
CERTAIN BILLETS, AND
{2} ASSIGNING QUALIFIED WOMEN TO THE FULL SPECTRUM OF CHALLENGING
BILLETS, INCLUDING THOSE OF BRIEFERS, AIDES, DETAILERS, PLACEMENT/RATING
CONTROL OFFICERS, ATTACHES, SERVICE COLLEGE FACULTY MEMBERS, EXECUTIVE
ASSISTANTS, SPECIAL ASSISTANTS TO CNO, MAAGS/MISSIONS, SENIOR
ENLISTED ADVISORS, PEP, ETC.
I. EQUALIZE SELECTION CRITERIA FOR NAVAL TRAINING BY:
{1} OPENING MIDSHIPMEN PROGRAMS TO WOMEN AT ALL NROTC CAMPUSES
EFFECTIVE IN FY-74, AND
{2} CONSIDERING WOMEN FOR SELECTION TO JOINT COLLEGES {NATIONAL
WAR COLLEGE/INDUSTRIAL COLLEGE OF THE ARMED FORCES}.
3. FINALLY, I ENJOIN ALL COMMANDING OFFICERS AND OTHER IN POSITIONS
OF AUTHORITY TO ACTIVELY REFLECT THE SPIRIT AND INTENT OF THIS
MESSAGE IN THEIR OWN COMMAND REGULATIONS, POLICIES AND ACTIONS.
SPECIFICALLY, I EXPECT EACH COMMANDING OFFICER TO:
A. INITIATE SIMILAR EQUALIZATION ACTIONS IN MATTERS WITHIN THEIR
PURVIEW TO ENSURE THAT WOMEN ARE ACCORDED FULL TRUST AND RESPONSIBILITY
TO FUNCTION IN THEIR ASSIGNED POSITION OR SPECIALTY.
B. BE GUIDED BY STANDARDS OF DUTY, PERFORMANCE AND DISCIPLINE
WHICH ARE TRULY EQUITABLE FOR BOTH WOMEN AND MEN.
4. IN SUMMARY, WE ALL MUST ACTIVELY WORK TOGETHER IN ORDER THAT
WE MAY MORE EQUITABLY INCLUDE WOMEN IN OUR ONE-NAVY CONCEPT.
E. R. ZUMWALT, JR., ADMIRAL, U. S. NAVY,
CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS.
Note: The original unclassified message is entirely double-spaced
with all letters capitalized.