Navy chief becomes first woman to earn silver submarine pin

[Onkel Neal]

Navy chief becomes first woman to earn silver submarine pin

For the first time, a woman has earned the silver dolphin pin that distinguishes a fully trained submariner.

Chief Culinary Specialist Dominique Saavedra's personal achievement made history as she became the first woman to don the enlisted submarine qualification insignia during a Tuesday ceremony at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Washington state.

Saavedra, who is getting ready to deploy with the crew of the guided-missile submarine Michigan, had to lean in to get her quals done, embarking on the deployed guided-missile sub Ohio to get signed off.

"I couldn't be more proud to wear the 'dolphins,'" Saavedra said in a Navy release. "To have earned the respect of my fellow submariners is more rewarding than expected. I am honored to serve as a qualified member in such a prestigious community."