NEWPORT, R.I. — Engineman? Yeoman? Not so fast. Now that women will be allowed to serve in all combat jobs, the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps are dropping “man” from some of their job titles to make them inclusive and gender-neutral.
Much like the term “fireman” has evolved to “firefighter” and “policeman” to “police officer,” an engineman could be called an engine technician and a yeoman could be called an administrative specialist.
“This is one more step in how our force has changed,” Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus said in an interview Friday. “Our force has evolved, our force is different. And I believe it’s stronger and better.”
Some Army and Air Force titles end in “man,” too, but the services aren’t considering changing them. The names are historically significant, and the focus now is on bringing women into the jobs rather than on what to call them, both services said.
Defense Secretary Ashton Carter ordered the military in December to open all military jobs to women, including the Marine Corps and special operations forces like Navy SEALs and Army Green Berets.
Read more at Military.com
Image courtesy of wunc.org
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