THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, March 15, 1995 TAG: 9503150494
SECTION: MILITARY NEWS PAGE: A8 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Medium: 53 lines
MORE SLOTS FOR WOMEN: The Navy is inviting more than the planned number of women recruits to apply for formal training schools this year because too many are finishing boot camp without specialized skills, officials said Tuesday. More women are signing up as general apprentices than the Navy can accommodate so the service is opening 900 more spots for women in ``A'' schools, which provide formal training in specialized jobs. In all, the Navy expects to recruit about 9,600 women this year, representing nearly 20 percent of all recruits. Before the repeal of the congressional ban on women aboard combat ships, the percentage was capped at 12 percent because of the limited availability of at-sea assignments.
NEW ``GRAY EAGLE'': The status of the Navy's most senior aviator - known as the Gray Eagle - will be transferred from retiring Adm. Stanley Arthur, vice chief of naval operations, to Rear Adm. Dave Morris, deputy commander in chief of U.S. Naval Forces Europe. Ceremonies are planned for 1 p.m. Tuesday aboard the carrier America at Pier 11 of Norfolk Naval Station. All active-duty and retired naval aviators are invited. Call 444-3373 or 444-4899, or fax replies to 444-3374.
SHIPYARD CLINIC: Expansion of the medical clinic at Norfolk Naval Shipyard will require moving the clinic until the $2.9 million project is finished. The interim center, building 264 on Edwards Street, will be opened during ceremonies Monday marking the start of the project. The interim center still is an improvement over the existing 1940s-era building, say officials with Portsmouth Naval Medical Center, which runs the branch clinic. The clinic sees about 800 military patients and 1,500 civilian patients per month.
- Staff and wire report
COMINGS & GOINGS
CHANGE OF COMMAND: In ceremonies Thursday at Norfolk Naval Station, Rear Adm. Henry C. Giffin III relieves Rear Adm. Alexander J. Krekich as commander of Cruiser-Destroyer Group Two and the carrier George Washington Battle Group. Giffin's last assignment was assistant chief of staff with the Allied Forces Southern Europe in Naples, Italy. Krekich has been named director of surface warfare plans, programs and requirements in Washington.
BY THE NUMBERS Graphic STAFF ARLEIGH BURKE DESTROYERS SOURCES: Defense Department budget; All Hands magazine. [For complete graphic, please see microfilm] by CNB