The Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Enlisted Women in Submarines (EWIS) task force concluded its visit to naval installations in the Pacific Northwest, Nov. 16.

The visit was part of an EWIS task force road show, where recruiters traveled to naval installations in an effort to educate and recruit female Sailors, incorporating enlisted women into the submarine community.

Over the course of three days, the task force provided briefing sessions at Naval Base Kitsap, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, and finished its tour with a stop at Naval Station Everett.

The goal of the roadshow is to provide enlisted female Sailors with program information on the platform environment, requirements, and transition tools necessary to become a submariner.

"We want to increase awareness of what the submarine force does, and provide insight into this rare opportunity for females to volunteer for the submarine force and convert into a rating source comparable to their current rating," said Master Chief Petty Officer Paul J. Davenport, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet force master chief.

The Navy began integration more than five years ago, beginning with commissioned officers. Since then the opportunity to volunteer has been extended to enlisted ranks of seaman through senior chief petty officer.

"Our approach to the full integration of women on submarines started off with first integration of officers," said Davenport. "In order to build this from the ground up, we have to have senior leadership on board. So the officer was the first head of this dragon, which kicked off in 2010; the next part was to bring in senior enlisted leadership and we have that now. The overall goal is to have 20 percent females on all integrated submarines."

The EWIS volunteer program can offer various opportunities for Sailors such as alternative career paths, possible retention options, and the ability to serve in a new environment.

"All my family was Navy, and it's really an honor to be able to say that you're a submariner," said Seaman Erin Bailey, assigned to Naval Base Kitsap, from Greenville, South Carolina. "It is something that my family wasn't able to say, but hopefully I will be able to say that I was."

While in the Northwest, the task force briefed more than 60 Sailors. For many, the briefings are their first exposure to the process.

"This is a stepping-off point to raise questions people are going to have down the line," said Lt. Jessica L. Wilcox, flag lieutenant, Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, who is part of the Pacific Fleet EWIS task force. "Standing up here, we work to answer all of their questions, and we provide the information and get them in touch with the right people and spark an interest."

Many of the questions fielded from the audience concern the difference in the day-to-day life aboard submarines compared to surface ships.

"I think the big thing that we can come out and communicate to folks is not only the environment or the characteristic differences, but the difference in the crew, the difference in camaraderie, the tight-knit teamwork, and close proximity that you work in is unlike anything else you'll find," said Davenport.

Women were cleared to serve aboard submarines in 2013 by then Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta, who brought the end to the 1994 Direct Exclusion Act. Ever since, the military has worked to open areas previously closed to females.

"It's a great time to be in the Navy; it's an even better time to be able to provide more opportunity for females to join the submarine force," said Davenport. "The Pacific Northwest provides us with tons of opportunity to reach out to some of the highest-performing, strongest Sailors from the numerous aircraft carriers and warships out here and the women that are serving on those ships. If they're seeking opportunity for a more challenging environment, we can bring that environment to them by providing new opportunities to serve."

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