<p>You're right about it being a great place for women, but you're wrong about the first women graduates. The first women to graduate from a service academy graduated from the United States Merchant Marine Academy in 1978. Two years before the other academies.</p>
<p>The Coast Guard has made great strides to embrace women into the ranks these days. When I was in the guard (80s), women were still new to the branch and we had a lot of unique challenges. Nothing that couldn't be worked out, of course, but it's much better now.</p>
<p>Btw, my son is headed to USAFA. He's decided to sail the winds of the sky, instead of the open seas like his mom and dad. :P</p>
<p>Big congrats to you marathonmom! This will be a whole new experience for you in having a "fly boy"! :) I think the Coast Guard is such a remarkable place for women. I sure wish they would publicize more about the opportunities for women. USMMA as well. So much is offered at both academies and so little said to the girls looking at service academies. At our high school, there was no information to be had when I'd directed a young lady last year to look there. She is going to USNA Foundation this year. Sigh. She would have been a great Coastie. Enjoy your son these last few weeks!</p>
<p>The Coast Guard does publicize a bit about the oppurtunities for women. That was definitley a large factor in my decision! So does USMMA, they sent me information about what women can do and succesful women from the Academy. The Coast Guard also sent me some cool stuff about being a woman in the Coast Guard, it looks pretty sweet! I'm excited to say the least...</p>
<p>You inspire me soccer! I'll make sure that the high schools here have the material they need for girls & guys who are interested. Guess I should make a few phone calls to request info be sent. </p>
<p>Yeah I think CG is the only force where women can have any job available. In Army theres idiot sticks, in Navy theres SEALs among other things (subs), in Marine Corps...you gotta be kidding me if you have to ask...Air Force, I imagine they have SOME aerial assault team or something that discriminates against women, but I can't know for sure</p>
<p>CG you can do anything which I think is really cool.</p>
<p>Actually, the Virginia Class of subs are designed for women and the Navy is actively recruiting female Mids from the class of '08 to be bubbleheads.</p>
<p>pararescue, combat controller, combat rescue officer, special tactics officer, and sometimes things like combat weather that deploy with the army. Air Force special ops like the pave low sometimes arent allowed to have women pilots because they operate with the army sometimes.</p>