Western Sea Frontier

Joan was the Assistant Communications Watch Officer with additional assignment as Crypto Analysis Officer.  This meant that she was authorized to work in the classified area of the Communications Center.

In addition to Joan, there was one other woman in the unit. They were briefly introduced to the Commanding Officer, a Captain from the Office of the Chief of Staff whom Joan described as a classic “old salt”. He told the two young women:

“There are only three things the Navy guarantees you: a seabag, a hammock and three squares a day. Now go do your jobs. I do not want to hear about or from you again. You are dismissed.”

Joan noted that “Around the time we were commissioned, the Navy Times published a series of articles that were decidedly anti-WAVES which the paper called a ‘military experiment that had no place when the country was not at war.’ The WOS staff talked openly about these articles which made us more determined to succeed.”

“Of course, it fed the pervasive feeling that we were not wanted in the Navy and the prevailing societal view that women should be wives and mothers, certainly not sailors. That was the first of my experiences that at that time we were pursuing a career in a man’s world and really not wanted.”

While visiting a Navy destroyer, which women were not allowed to serve on, Joan volunteered for a high-line transfer between two destroyers. She did not realize what she was volunteering for.

During this time period, North Vietnam was increasing its military buildup. Joan described Pacific Fleet exercises and the increased level of communications. Her assignment required a high level security clearance and her parents were questioned by the FBI as part of the background investigation which they found quite disconcerting.