Location 3

WAVES

Walking tour sign is located near back of building on Perry Road

WAVES

Women first served at the Naval Training Center (NTC) in May 1943 when 15 WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) reported for duty. The number of WAVES grew substantially and very quickly. The women had their own barracks furnished with bunk beds, gear lockers, and bureaus. They worked in the post office, at the base switchboard answering phones, and as dental and medical assistants. Their days were much like the Navy recruits, they had revelry at 5:30 am, field days on Fridays, barracks inspections on Saturdays, and stood duty every four days.

Did you know?

On July 1942, President Franklin Roosevelt signed the Navy Women’s Reserve Act into law, creating WAVES, a division of the U.S. Navy, with the purpose of freeing up male personnel for sea duty.