NBK Hosts 2nd Annual Women's Symposium

Women took a large role in the armed forces during WWII. Discover the best World War Two books written by veterans from combat zones and the home front!

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW) Scott A. McCall, Navy Public Affairs Support Element, Det. Northwest

BREMERTON, Wash. (NNS) -- Sailors and Coast Guardsmen from around Navy Region Northwest participated in the second annual Women's Symposium Mentorship Program on Naval Base Kitsap (NBK), Oct. 7.

The program is designed to provide mentorship to female service members stationed in the Northwest by providing them support and guidance.

"It's very important on NBK in general. A large population of our Sailors here are female," said NBK Command Master Chief (SS) Shaun Peirsel. "If they don't feel like they're a part of the command and being utilized, then I'm going to lose out. And I'm not going to be able to accomplish my mission."

The symposium's primary focus was to highlight the role women have played in the military throughout history.

"Women have always found a way to impact the military, and they were doing it even when people would tell them, 'no you can't do this,'" said Peirsel.

Coast Guard Command Master Chief for the Maritime Force Protection Unit Bangor Penny Koons said that women have been pioneers for a long time, and there's a lot of history for women in the military.

"Women have been involved in every military conflict since the American Revolution in 1775," said Koons. "However, it was really in 1942, during World War II, when men were being shipped overseas that women were needed to step up and fill factory jobs - they were even needed to fill in for the military. WWII was a really important time for our women because it opened the doors."

The symposium included a panel discussion which gave service members the opportunity to ask senior enlisted leadership questions on various topics including professional and personal conduct and raising a family while on active duty.

Master-at-Arms 1st Class (SW/AW) Elisha Chandler said attending the symposium was not only beneficial to women but, indirectly, for men as well.

"We're here not only to support each other, but to be better Sailors for our junior peers [and that includes] men, too."

Piersal said symposiums like these impacts more than the Navy, but the armed forces in general.

"This country will be better protected by the armed forces if we are all working together," said Peirsal. "It's not about male, female, race or [anything else]. It's about people caring about protecting their country."