Women to lead navy warships

Women to lead navy warships

JAKARTA (JP): The Navy yesterday challenged its women corps to take command of one of its warships, with Chief of Staff Tanto Koeswanto saying he believe them to be just as capable as men.

In a written speech at the ceremony to mark the Navy Women Corps (Kowal)'s 32nd anniversary, Tanto said the Navy would begin deploying women in warships previously restricted to male personnel.

Those deployed should aim to become the ship's command one day, according to the speech read by deputy for logistic affairs Rear Admiral Achmad Muchammad, Antara news agency reported.

Evaluation of the recent Armada Jaya XVII/94 naval exercise show that women's capabilities enable them to replace men in warships, he said. The evaluation also concludes that the women corps should be allowed to assume some of the jobs now solely handled by men, Tanto said.

"We should give Kowal personnel the chance to assume operational and strategic posts in the Navy."

The Navy has two candidates in mind. Second Lieutenant Runi Arumdati and Second Lieutenant Srijohan, who have commanded small, unarmed naval vessels. They will be the first females to be commissioned on warships, according to Navy Chief Spokesman Col. Totok Laksito.

Totok said this will be a major departure. "Commanding an unarmed ship is flying the Navy's banner. But commanding a warship is flying the nation's honor."

Kowal currently has 858 members, including 362 officers. Of these, seven have attained the rank of colonels, the highest level in the corps, and 35 are lieutenant colonels.(emb)