Enlisted Women in Submarines (EWIS) Program

Becoming a Submariner Applying for EWIS Contacts History of Women in Submarines Resources

On 22 June 2015, the Navy announced the selections of the first enlisted female submariners. These selections marked a key milestone in the continued integration of women into the Submarine Force and the Navy is pleased to announce the beginning of the third round of selections of female Sailors for conversion to Submarine Force ratings. The Submarine Force is seeking high caliber female applicants from all ratings. Sailors from all communities are eligible to apply for submarine service as part of this initiative.

Becoming a Submariner

Applying for EWIS

This cycle of conversions will be for the initial enlisted integration of the USS OHIO (SSGN 726) submarine crews in Bangor, WA in 2018. Sailors from all communities are eligible to apply for submarine service as part of this initiative

All rates are available for conversion into the following Legacy Rates/NOS Codes (E6 and Below):

C130 – Fire Control Technician (FT)
C150/C151 – Machinist’s Mate (MM) (Auxiliary or Weapons)
C121/C126 – Electronics Technician (ET) (Navigation or Communication)
C170 – Culinary Specialist (CS)
C220 – Logistics Specialist (LS)
C250 – Yeoman (YN)
C260 – Information Systems Technician (ITS)
C230 – Sonar Technician Submarines (STS)
C180 – Missile Technician (MT)

Available Legacy Rates/NOS Codes for Conversion (E7-E8):

C260 – Information Systems Technician (ITS)
C170 – Culinary Specialist (CS)
C220 – Logistics Specialist (LS)
G065 – Independent Duty Corpsman HM(IDC)
C250 – Yeoman (YN)

Nuclear Rates:

Based on an evaluation of community health, Sailors in surface nuclear ratings already in the fleet are not eligible for conversion. The Submarine Force will be accepting nuclear trained female Sailors out of the nuclear training pipeline or Junior Staff Instructors. Nuclear trained rates will be selected via a separate application process a few months prior to each crew integration. Contact your nuclear enlisted community manager (ECM) for more information.

Eligibility

All Sailors, regardless of rating or rank, must meet the following minimum criteria to be eligible for conversion:

Be a U.S. citizen already in possession of, or capable of receiving, a secret security clearance.
Meet Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) requirements for the desired rating(s) as outlined in reference (a).
Have no non-judicial punishments or convictions in civilian or military courts within the past 24 months.
Be medically screened and suitable for duty aboard a submarine per reference

Application Process

The following is required for initial application due by 1 April 2017:

Up to three submarine rating choices in order of preference;
Last three performance evaluations. Sailors with minimal service
and less than three evaluations are still eligible and should submit all
evaluations on record;
Physical readiness information maintenance system data covering
the last four years of physical fitness assessment information, as available;
ASVAB scores (E-6 and below only);
Official statement volunteering for submarine service
CPO applicants are highly encouraged to submit a personal
statement addressing their motivation for assignment to the Submarine Force
and to clarify any potential issues with their official record.

Upon receiving the initial application, the submarine ECM will coordinate with the Sailor and her command to complete the below remaining items by 1 May 2017:

Enlisted Personnel Action Request (NAVPERS 1306/7) signed by the
Sailor and the Sailors commanding officer (CO) that clearly states the
recommended earliest and latest release dates from the current command and
the Sailors top three submarine rating preferences.
CO recommendation letter (optional).
Completed submarine duty physical. Interested candidates are
encouraged to start this process as soon as possible following their decision
to apply.

Please refer to NAVADMIN 196/16 – ENLISTED WOMEN IN SUBMARINES RATING CONVERSION PROCESS CYCLE 3 for the full details of the application process. A sample EWIS package is available as well as guidance on medical screening.

For specific questions, please check the EWIS Freqently Asked Questions (FAQ) or contact an appropriate point of contact listed below.

Contacts

Submarine Enlisted Community Managers

CDR Jeremy Miller – Submarine Non-Nuclear ECM
901-874-2082
LT Gregory Mosley – Assistant Submarine Non-Nuclear ECM
901-874-2081
STSCS(SS) John Cambis – Submarine Non-Nuclear ECM Technical Advisor
901-874-4367
YNC(SS) Aaron Norton – Submarine Non-Nuclear ECM Technical Advisor
901-874-2819
LCDR Chris Carter – Submarine Nuclear ECM
703-604-5493
ETCM(SW) Victor Harris
703-604-5492

Women in Submarines Coordinator

LT Marquette Leveque 757-836-2103

Medical Contacts

For questions regarding medical fitness for submarine duty:

COMSUBLANT FORCE IDC (Norfolk, VA):
757-836-1351/1354
COMSUBPAC FORCE IDC (Pearl Harbor, HI):
808-473-1479/5788

Contact numbers and locations of Submarine Force Homeport Medical Departments:

Naval Submarine Support Center New London (Groton, CT):
860-694-2470/2795
Commander Submarine Squadron 6 (Norfolk, VA):
757-967-6175
Naval Branch Health Clinic Kings Bay (Kings Bay, GA):
912-573-2939/4245
Naval Submarine Support Center Bangor, WA (Bangor, WA):
360-396-6789
Commander Submarine Squadron 11 (San Diego, CA):
619-553-8719
Naval Submarine Support Center Pearl Harbor (Pearl Harbor, HI):
808-473-2899/3771
Commander Submarine Squadron 15 (Guam):
671-339-2156/671-343-2191

History of Women in Submarines

In January 2013, the Secretary of Defense rescinded the 1994 Direct Combat Exclusion act which restricted women from serving onboard submarines. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff directed the armed forces to integrate women into occupational fields to the maximum extent possible and without sacrificing our warfighting capability or the trust of the American people.

Female officers began serving aboard United States Submarines in 2011. Today there are 18 crews integrated with female officers across four homeports. More than 40 female officers have qualified in submarines and earned their dolphins. In early 2016, the first female enlisted arrived on USS Michigan homeported in Bangor, Washington. In 2017, USS Florida homeported in Kings Bay, GA will be the second submarine to receive enlisted women.

Enlisted Women in Submarines Milestones

June 2014: Enlisted Integration plan approved by SECNAV/CNO
December 2014: Congressional notification of plan to integrate enlisted women on submarines complete
January 2015: All submarine ratings/NECs opened to women
January 2016: First female enlisted arrives on USS Michigan
May 2016: Second female enlisted cohort announced for integration on USS Florida
August 2016: First female enlisted qualified in submarines

Resources

EWIS Fleet Brief – 31 October 2016

Posters