WAVE Acronym Suspended

In 1972, CAPT Robin Quigley ordered the suspension of the acronym WAVE and WAVES and suspended the WAVES support system. Joan noted that, "In effect, she dismantled all of the Naval headquarters support for Navy women. The shock waves throughout the Navy were immense. Although we had been wanting the opportunity to compete with the men for promotion and assignments, this dismantling left us just hanging there."

"The Equal Rights Amendment was passed by Congress in March and although it was never ratified by the states, it had numerous ripple effects throughout the country and the Navy. Admiral Elmo Zumwalt had become the Chief of Naval Operations and issued a rule announcing changes regarding Navy Officer and enlisted women but according to Joan they had little effect.

"The Navy was beginning to pay lip-service to the utilization of women but it was just that."

In 1972, Joan had a new Commanding Officer. He knew nothing about computers and was not interested. Joan continued to run the department basically on her own.

On January 27, 1973, a ceasefire was declared in Vietnam. That was the same year, that women officers were allowed to attend flight training. It was also the year that the first co-ed Navy Officer Candidate class graduated.

In 1974, Joan’s CO Walter Banhog was transferred and Joan succeeded him as Commanding Officer. She felt he had been a disaster. When he learned of his transfer he stuck his head out of his office and said to Joan, “I’ll not keep you from your destiny.”

She had to receive orders again from the Navy Office of Personnel in Washington to assume command.