Women report to U.S. Navy attack submarines for the first time

The U.S. Navy has started to integrate women into attack submarines for the first time.

A female supply officer has reported to an attack submarine Minnesota, Submarine Force Atlantic spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Tommy Crosby confirmed Wednesday, Navy Times reported.

Two more officers are expected to join her on the vessel, which is based out of Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Connecticut.

The milestone puts the Navy one step closer to bringing enlisted women into the “Silent Service” by 2016.

Lt. Cmdr. Crosby told the Times that integration of enlisted sailors — the ultimate goal of its five-year efforts — may even begin earlier than expected.

“We’re expecting integration for our enlisted female sailors to begin in late 2015,” Lt. Cmdr. Crosby said, the newspaper reported.

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