A controversial move by the U.S.Navy to overhaul its job titles system with a gender-neutral alternative has been reversed after three months.
The Navy torpedoed 91 job titles like “airman” and “fireman” in late September in favor of Navy Occupational Specialties (NOS), but harsh feedback prompted an administrative U-turn. The change is “effective immediately,” Adm. John Richardson, the chief of naval operations, said in a message obtained by the Navy Times on Tuesday.
“The feedback from current and former Sailors has been consistent that there is wide support for the flexibility that the plan offers, but the removal of rating titles detracted from accomplishing our major goals,” the officer wrote.
The Navy’s original plan, which came after Navy Secretary Ray Mabus pushed military officials to find ways of creating gender-neutral titles, was seen as a way of making service members more employable post-service. Adm. Richardson said that goal remains.
“This course correction doesn’t mean our work is done — rating modernization will continue for all the right reasons. Modernizing our industrial-age personnel system in order to provide Sailors choice and flexibility still remains a priority for us,” the officer said, Navy Times reported.
An East Coast command master chief who spoke to the newspaper on the condition of anonymity said Navy personnel were thrilled with the decision.
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“Nobody wanted to see ratings taken away,” the source said. “The traditions and identities associated with them are undeniable. My sailors will be relieved and gratified that their voices appear to have been heard.”
• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.
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