In another historic moment for the Marine Corps, a woman is expected to become the Corps’ first female assault amphibian officer next week, Corps officials said.
The woman is slated to graduate on Oct. 3 from the 12-week Assault Amphibian Officer Course at Camp Pendleton, California, Training Command said Friday in a statement. She is also the first woman to attempt the course.
Training Command plans to release the woman’s name after she graduates and becomes the first woman to earn the military occupational specialty 1803 for assault amphibian officers.
This latest news comes after a female lieutenant recently became the first woman to complete the Marine Corps’ 13-week Infantry Officer Course. The woman, whose name has not been released, will be assigned as an infantry officer to the 1st Marine Division at Camp Pendleton.
These women join 2nd Lt. Lillian Polatchek, who became the Corps’ first female tank officer in April; and the Corps’ first two female field artillery officers, 2nd Lt. Virginia Brodie and 2nd Lt. Katherine Boy, who completed their training in June 2016.
Overall, the number of female Marines serving in ground combat jobs is small but growing, Assistant Commandant Gen. Glenn Walters said in August.
“Do we have hordes? No. But we have a pretty good nexus that are attempting to make these choices in life and I’m very proud of that,” Walters said.
