Themes

The Navy's People

• Naval Lives

• In Focus: Women in the Navy

  • The story of the WRNS

  • The Image of Women in the Navy

  • Free a Man for the Fleet

  • Camaraderie

• In Focus: Recreation and Time off

• In Focus: Discipline and Punishment

Learning

• How To: Understand Naval Medals

1970 - 1989

Towards integration

The 1970s saw a series of major alterations regarding the organisation and administration of the Women's Royal Naval Service, and in some respects, the Armed Forces as a whole.

Modern feminism had taken hold in Britain by the early 1970s and women increasingly expected certain conditions of equality. This had repercussions on the WRNS, highlighting the need for a reappraisal of the service.

Many WRNS officers and ratings had greater expectations of their potential than was currently available. Although any changes would have to be affected within the context of the requirements of the Royal Navy rather than simply satisfying trends within society.

Wren taking part in first WRNS OTC at Dartmouth (RNM)

Article highlights

• Towards integration

• MOD Study Group

• Changes in training

• Naval Discipline Act

• Wrens in the '80s

Read the story of the WRNS

• 1917 - 1919 The first WRNS formed during World War One

• 1938 - 1945 World War Two reformation

• 1946 - 1969 Post war permanent service

• 1970 - 1989 Towards integration

• 1990 - 1993 Women at sea

• Women in the Navy today Equality and limitations in the Navy

Related External Links

• BBC Website - Peoples War