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

Women in the Navy today

Equality in the Senior Service

The Navy now accepts that women are as competent as their male colleagues in many roles. Women have even proved themselves capable in combat.

Women now serve on an equal basis in the Navy, with the exception of working as naval clearance divers, serving onboard submarines and front line positions with the Royal Marines.

There are about 3700 women currently serving in the Navy, forming almost 10% of naval personnel. They serve in around 53 vessels in a variety of ranks and rates. Women are increasingly enlisting in the armed forces and the Navy expects that the numbers of female personnel will grow further.

Leading Operator Mechanic Joleen McCulloch onboard HMS York, using a signal lamp to communicate with HMAS Adelaide (RN FPU)

Article highlights

• Equality in the Senior Service

• Rising through the ranks

• Women and the Submarine Service

• Sexual harassment

• Conclusion

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