Senator Webb on Navy's Phased Approach to Assign Women to Submarines

From the Office of Senator Webb

February 24, 2010

Contact: Jessica Smith - 202-731-5096
Annie Hughes - 202-224-4447

Washington, DC- U.S. Senator Jim Webb issued the following statement. Webb, who chairs the Senate Committee on Armed Services Personnel Subcommittee, is a former Secretary of the Navy.

"I welcome today's news that the Navy will adopt a new policy to allow women to serve on submarines. The decision follows thorough internal deliberations, and falls in line with the military's long-standing policy goal of expanding the number of assignments available to women."

Editor's note: As Secretary of the Navy in 1987, Jim Webb opened up more billets to women than any secretary of the Navy in history. He convened a special study group, reporting back to him through the Navy's uniformed leadership, that conducted a thorough examination of the Navy's assignment policies and other issues. His approval of the study group's recommendations led to a large expansion in the number of sea-going billets available to women officers and enlisted personnel.

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