Naval History and Heritage Command

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To every woman

who wants a part in

winning this war 

Never in history have America women been offered such a chance to serve their country. Never has there been such an urgent need for their service. 

This is total war --- a war in which every woman as well as every man must play a part. The men in the Navy are in for one reason alone --- to fight! They’re in to fly the planes, man the ships, smash the Nazis and Japs. 

But to keep them fighting, there are important service jobs that must be carried on at home -----man size, full-time jobs which you, the women of America, can fill ----- jobs in which you can serve your country in your country and release the men to fight at sea. 

This is what you ---- as a member of the WAVES --- can do to help win this war. How you can do it is explained in detail in this book. Read every word of it. The take a step you’ll be proud of all your life --- volunteer for the WAVES today.

Frank Knox

Secretary of the Navy 

What are the Waves?

The WAVES is an organization of women whose job is to replace Navy men at shore stations. 

As a member of the WAVES, you can wear the same Navy blue, win the same ratings and earn the same pay as America’s finest fighting men. 

And you’ll hold the same shore jobs that are now filled by men. At Navy bases throughout the continental United States WAVES do all types of office work. They also are needed to fill jobs in radio, communications, storekeeping. Some are needed for important posts in mechanics and aviation ground work --- as machinists, for example, or as operators of the Link Trainer, that amazing device which teaches future Navy pilots the principles of flying.  Other Women are needed for various special or technical positions.  Many hundreds more can render valuable service in the Navy, doing a variety of tasks which are included in the daily routine of every efficiently operated shore establishment. 

Whatever your work, wherever you go, you can be sure that you are performing a very real, very vital service for your country. It won’t be any picnic. It’s not a part-time “glamour” job ----- and its not meant to be.You are as much a member of the service as any man with the fleet. It’s full-time work. It will be hard work. But as you’re the sort of woman who loves America and honors the brave men fighting to keep it free, it’s work you’ll be proud to do. 

There is a place in the WAVES for women with experience in practically every field of business and industry. Have you worked in an office as a typist, secretary, operator of business machines, filing clerk or bookkeeper? You will find ready use for your skill. Have you sold merchandise or checked stock in a store? Do you know anything about radio, telegraphy, photography? Did you ever work in a library, serve at an information desk or telephone switchboard, do tailoring or sewing? Have you a mechanical “bent”? If so, your knowledge and experience will be valuable to the Navy. And it will help you to rapid promotion and better pay. 

On the other hand, suppose you have no special skill or experience. There is a place for you, too, in the Navy. If you can meet the physical and educational requirements, Navy training will take care of the rest, fit you in a short time for the post where you will be of greatest service to your country and to yourself. The following pages tell you about this training and where you will get it.

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First, you’ll receive

excellent basic training 

    As an enlisted WAVE, you will receive four weeks of recruit training at government expense at the Naval Training School (WR) in the Bronx, New York. At the end of this time you may be ordered to active duty at once, or you may be transferred for further instruction in a special field to a naval air station, a naval hospital or one of several schools. 

    Typical  of these are the Naval Air Stations at Norman, Oklahoma ; Memphis, Tennessee ; Atlanta, Georgia ; and Lakehurst, New Jersey ; the Naval Hospitals at Bethesda, Maryland and San Diego, California ; and the campuses of Indiana University at Bloomington, Indiana ; Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical  College at Stillwater, Oklahoma ; University of Wisconsin at Madison, Wisconsin ; Iowa State Teachers College at Cedar Falls, Iowa ; Georgia State College for Women at Milledgeville, Georgia ; Miami University at Oxford, Ohio, etc. The school to which you may be assigned depends upon the type of job for which you will be trained.

You’ll be a real recruit 

    During your indoctrination training, you’ll live as a regular Navy recruit. In recruit school, your ability to take it cheerfully will be tested --- to take drill, to learn Navy language and Navy ways, to serve your turn at messenger or mess detail or any other chore which must be done to make the “ship” sail smoothly. 

You and your “shipmates” will share a brand new experience of study and work, and also share the thrills of donning uniform and passing in review with the colors flying. 

When you step out of recruit training you’ll look and act like a full-fledged seaman. You’ll be “in the Navy now.”

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As an enlisted Wave you earn up to $126 monthly --- plus allowances 

    Many women are now earning as much money in the WAVES as they ever did in their civilian jobs. You will enlist as Apprentice Seaman at $50 a month. And remember, that money is just your base pay, just a part of your income --  because in addition, all your living expenses are paid. You’ll get good food, comfortable quarters, the finest medical and dental care, and $200 worth of clothing -- all free. In cases where government facilities are not available, you’ll receive,in addition to your pay, subsistence and quarters allowances totaling $2.75 a day. 

    If you suffer disability or death from disease or injury while on active duty you will be entitled to all the benefits prescribed by law for civil employees of the United States. You can buy life insurance at low government rates. And, like any other member of the uniformed services, you will get the privileges of free mail, reduced rates on transportation, movie and theatre tickets where granted, and you may benefit from such organizations as USO, Red Cross, and Navy Relief. 

    They Navy wants you to become skilled in your job. You don’t have to ask for promotion. If you are willing and able, you will be recommended for advancement. And each promotion is accompanied by a raise in pay. 

    The table below shows the steps by which you can advance and the base pay you’ll receive as an enlisted WAVE.

*Allowances for your food and living quarters are granted.

These are both in addition to your base pay.

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Can you meet these requirements?

Here are the requirements for enlisted women.

Check your qualifications against them.

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Officers in the Waves

    College women can earn commissions in the WAVES. Most of them qualify as Ensigns. A limited number (as specified by Act of Congress) can become Lieutenants (Junior Grade) and Lieutenants (Senior Grade). They will draw the same pay and allowances as men Officers of equivalent rank in the Navy. Uniforms for Officers will be the same as for the enlisted personnel except for the Officers’ hat, gold buttons, white dress shirt and reserve blue stripes designating their rank. 

    Officers in the WAVES will hold responsible positions. Previous experience in any of many different fields will be a valuable asset to the Officer candidate, but it is not by any means a “must” requirement. The chief qualifications, in addition to at least two years of college training, are alertness, energy, integrity,leadership qualities---and above all, the urge to serve your country. 

    Women who have had business experience in the fields of banking, retailing, insurance, manufacturing, etc., and those who are executives, accountants, statisticians, buyers, personal officers,

been engaged in civil life. Also needed are women who have had technical training and practical experience in engineering, communications, electronics, physics, radio and similar fields. 

    WAVE officer candidates take their indoctrination either at Smith College, Northampton, Mass., or at Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, Mass. All candidates enter as Apprentice Seamen. They continue in this status for one month and then qualify as Reserve Midshipmen. At this point a division takes place. Those being trained for general duty must complete a second month of advanced indoctrination. Those selected for special duty enter upon a seven weeks’ course of study in their specialty. Upon the successful completion of their respective training, they are commissioned and ordered to duty. 

Requirements for Officers

Candidates for commissions in the WAVES must meet the same requirements as enlisted women except in 3 respects: 

For an application blank for a commission in the WAVES, write to the nearest Navy Recruiting Station or Office of Naval Officer Procurement listed on the last pages of this booklet.  Or if there is an office close by, you may call in person.  With your request enclose the following information: (1) age and date of birth; (2) education; (3) marital status; (4) the number and ages of your children; (5) husband's occupation.

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Any questions about Waves?

You'll find the answers here

Q.  As a WAVE will I be expected to serve overseas?

A.  The law passed by Congress limits your service to the continental limits of the United States.

Q.  What is the term of enlistment?

A.  For the duration of the war.  You will be discharged within six months after the war ends.

Q.  After I have once joined, may I resign?

A.  A letter to your Commanding Officer, requesting discharge and stating your reason, will be forwarded for consideration.  But in wartime resignations are discharged.

Q.  If I am under 20 and my parents consent, can I enlist?

A.  No.  By law the minimum age is 20.

Q.  If I have no special training, will I be eligible?

A.  Yes. In additon to women with specialized training, the WAVES definitely want women of high calibre but no special training.

Q.  Am I on active duty as soon as I am sworn in?

A.  Not necessarily.  You may be told to report home on inactive duty to await further orders or be ordered to proceed to a training school immediately.

Q.  When does my pay begin?

A.  The day you report to training schol.

Q.  Should I quit my old job as soon as I am sworn in?

A.  No.  Do not resign until you are ordered to training school.

Q.  Must all enlisted women start as Apprentice Seamen?

A.  Yes. But after successfully completing the basic training you become a Seaman, Second Class.

Q.  May I later change the type f work I am doing?

A.  You may submit a request to your Commanding Officer to be forwarded consideration.

Q.  Do I pay my own way to training school?

A.  No.  Your transportation is paid by the Navy.

Q.  How long will my training period be?

A.  Recruit training lasts about one month and you may be ordered to a shore station immediately after that.

Q.  Can an enlisted woman request training in a particular field--for instance, radio--even if she has had no previous training in that field?

A.  Yes.  But it cannot be guaranteed that the request will be granted.

Q.  When do I get my uniform?

A.  After you arrice at training school.  However, you should bring enough civilian clothing for a week or two.

Q.  What will my hours be at training?

A.  The hours will depend on th school you attend.  However, they will be on a military basis.  Receille, taps, etc. 

Q.  Will I learn military drill?

A.  Yes.

Q.  Will there be organized exercise?

A.  Yes.  There will be a physical director at each school, and the athletic program will be keyed to the type of work you will do.

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Q.  Will there be religious services?

A.  Yes.  Each training school will make appropriate arrangements.

Q.  Am I allowed to have dates during training?

A.  Yes.  You may have dates during your free time.

Q.  Will I get week-end leaves from training school?

A.  Yes, at the discretion of the Commanding Officer.

Q.  Will I subject to military discipline after training?

A.  The extent of discipline depends on where you are stationed and what sort of work you are doing.  Obviously, those living in barracks will be subject to more discipline than those living along.

Q.  What about working hours, leaves, dates after training?

A.  All these will be determined by th work you are doing and the post where you are stationed.

Q.  What supervision will there be over my living quarters?

A.  Wherever WAVES live in groups, they will be adequately supervised, and proper living standards will be maintained.  Where girls live individually, the Nacy will recommend suitable quarters.

Q.  Will I be permitted to marry after the training period?

A.  Yes, without any restrictions. If you become pregnant, you will be honorably discharged.

Q.  May I request duty at any particular Naval Station?

A.  Yes, but your request may or may not be granted.

Q.  As an enlisted woman, will I be subject to the same rules and regulations as an enlisted Navy man?

A.  Yes.

Q.  Will I get the sam pay?

A.  Yes.

Q.  Can I buy life insureance at the same low rates as Navy men?

A.  Yes.

Q.  Will I get free mail privileges, discounts on transportation, movies, etc?  Will I benefit from USO, Red Cross, Navy Relief, etc.?

A.  Yes, on the same basis as male members of the armed services.

Q.  May I wear make-up?

A.  Yes, a reasonable amount.

Q.  Must hair be cut short or worn in any particular style?

A.  You may wear it in any style that is becoming to you, but it should be short enough not to cover your collar.

Q.  If I do not received an application blank immediately after writing a letter for one, does it mean I am rejected?

A.  No.  Even though you are qualified, there may not be a position open at the moment which can properly utilize your talents.  You will be asked to come in for an aptitude test as soon as the need for your services develops.

Q.  What papers would it be helpful for a candidate to start obtaining as soon as she decides she would like to join the WAVES?

A.  1.  Evidence of citizenship--birth or baptismal certificate.

     2..Transcript of your educational record.

     3.  Record of occupation since leaving school.

     4.  Three letters of recommendation from prominent citizens who know you.

     5.  Marraige certificate, if married, Divorce papers, if divorced.

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Q. Can an enlisted woman ever work up to a commission?

A.  Yes. Your application will be judged on demonstrated capacity, educational qualifications, length of service and ability,

Q. What is the pay scale for Officers?

A.  Ensign: $150.00 base pay and allowances, amounting in all to about $216.00 a month.

Lieutenant (Junior Grade) : $166.67 base pay and allowances, amounting in all to about $216.00 a month.

Lieutenant (Senior Grade) : $200.00 base pay and allowances, amounting in all to about $296.00 a month.

Q. How much are Officers allowed for Uniforms?

A.  $250.

Q.  What is the difference between the uniform of an enlisted woman and that of an Officer?

A.  LIttle difference -- except for hat, shirt, gold buttons instead of blue, and officer stripes on sleeves. Officers wear white shirts for dress, blue for work. Enlisted women wear reserve blue or dark blue shirts. In summer both Officers and enlisted women wear white shirts.

Q.   Could I qualify for a commission with only two or three years of college work?

A.  Yes, provided you have also had exceptional experience in administrative, executive or technical work. But you must have had at least two years of college.

Q.   If an Officer Candidate fails to complete her training period successfully, will she be transferred to the regular enlisted ranks or discharged?

A.  She may have her option.

______________________ 

How to apply for the Waves 

1.  First, go in person or write to the nearest Navy Recruiting Station (see pages 21-22-23-24) and ask for WAVES application blanks. Or, if more convenient , you may go or write to the nearest Office of Naval Officer Procurement listed on page 25.

2.  When you apply, be sure to give the following information: (a) your age and date of birth ; (b)  your education ; © your marital status ----- married, unmarried, widowed, divorced ; (d) if you have any children, how many and the age of each ; (e) if you are married, your husband’s occupation.

3.  If you appear to qualify on the basis of the information you give, you will receive an official application blank and other necessary papers. Fill in all the information requested about your qualifications, get your 3 character references and your properly filled out health report form and return all papers to the office from which you secured them.

4.  If your application is accepted, you will be sent -- with transportation paid -- to the nearest Office of Naval Officer Procurement for an interview, aptitude test and your Navy physical examination. If you pass these successfully, you will be sworn in -- ready to serve your country and release a man to fight at sea. If you fail, transportation will be paid to your home.

              Call or write for your application blank at the nearest office listed on the following pages:

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Find your nearest Navy Recruiting Station on this list

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    Offices of Naval Officeer Procurement

(MAIN STATIONS IN CAPITAL LETTERS)

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