The Naval Academy sent 1,076 ensigns and 2nd lieutenants out into the world Friday, the first class in history to join a completely integrated military, where a sailor or Marine's gender won't limit what they're able to do.

For 2nd Lt. Morgan O'Connor, that really meant something.

"I think it's amazing," she told Navy Times on Friday. "I think, obviously, that all the [military occupational specialties] should be open to women, but not to lower the standards."

In his commencement address, Navy Secretary Ray Mabus touted the accomplishment, asking how they could turn away anyone who meets the standards.

"The military you are joining is one that believes no one should be denied the opportunity and the honor to serve their country because of the color of their skin, their gender or who they love," he said.

That doesn't mean it will be easier for O'Connor,  21, who is joining a Marine Corps that is made up of 5 percent women, but she was feeling confident as she stood in her black, mandarin-collar uniform for the first time.

"I've definitely gotten some advice, telling me to just be myself, stay strong, do what I can to succeed in the Marine Corps," she said.

And Ensign Michael Woulfe, 21, a newly minted special warfare officer, said he was looking forward to Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training in an integrated force.

"I don't know what it was like at any other time, but honestly, I think it's just exciting," he said.

 Marine Col. Stephen Liszewski, the commandant of midshipmen, had some advice for them.

"Stay true to the things you learned at this place. Character and honor," he told Navy Times. "If they do that, they'll be successful. Gender integration, it doesn't change anything for an academy graduate."

Up and out

There are a lot of things to look forward to once you hit the fleet, but few sailors would say that sleep is one of them. That is, unless you're going to be a pilot.

"After four years of not sleeping a lot, it's going to be really nice to have the required eight hours," Ensign Cullen Hanks, who has his eye on flying jets or helicopters, told Navy Times.

"My dream has always been to go into space," the 22-year-old aerospace engineering major said.

Two more new ensigns will also be chasing the opportunity of a lifetime, because they've been given permission to defer their service and sign with the National Football League.

Star quarterback Ensign Keenan Reynolds has signed with the Baltimore Ravens, and fullback Ensign Chris Swain will join the San Diego Chargers, while serving in the reserves.

To kick off his commencement address, Defense Secretary Ashton Carter announced he had approved Mabus's request to let them attend training camp this fall.

Carter also charged the class of 2016 with a mission.

"When you look at history, you'll see that we have a record of near-perfect failure when it comes to predicting future challenges," he said. "So it's up to you."

O'Connor, who was selected for Marine Corps pilot and is hoping to join the tiltrotor MV-22 Osprey community, said she's looking forward to a challenge.

"It's kind of finding its place in the Marine Corps now, and that's really intriguing to me," she said.

For Woulfe, his dream seized him, rather than the other way around.

"It was something that happened to me," said the academy wrestler, whose teammates largely select the Marine Corps or special warfare.

His sophomore year, eight of them headed for the teams.

"Those guys were always the ones that I looked up to, wanted to emulate, so if I could choose a service where everyone's a fantastic man, that's where I want to be," he said.

Before administering the oath of office to the future Marines, Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Robert Neller gave the class a piece of advice.

"You need to enjoy today with your families, because this is probably one of the last days where it will be about you," he said.

Soon, many of them would be standing in front of a platoon or division, he said, who won't care where they went to college, only that they can lead.

"You need to think now about what you're going to say when you meet those Marines or sailors," he said.

Meghann Myers is the Pentagon bureau chief at Military Times. She covers operations, policy, personnel, leadership and other issues affecting service members.

Share:
In Other News
Load More