Roselle woman poised to make Naval history

Even though Laura Martindale is about to make history, the U.S. Navy midshipman is "just proud to serve."

The 22-year-old from Roselle is among 11 women who graduated Friday from the U.S. Naval Academy and were selected to serve on a submarine. This marks the first time women are allowed to join a submarine crew since the Navy changed its policy this year.

The women join 127 men chosen from the academy this year for submarine duty. Historically, women were barred from joining sub crews due to "limited habitability and privacy on board," according to U.S. Navy web archives. This is the latest landmark since the Navy's 1994 decision to let women serve on ships.

Martindale, an alumna of Lake Park High School, said she's received only positive feedback.

"There is, of course, going to be some resistance, but my male classmates in particular have been extremely supportive," she said. "This is just another step forward and it's only going to make the Navy better for it."

Martindale was quickly fascinated by submarines after enrolling in the academy's summer training program on the U.S.S. Miami. Midshipmen spent 24 hours on the vessel and Martindale discovered her calling.

"Immediately, I fell in love," she said. "It's not just because of the technical expertise required, but everyone is extremely excited about their jobs. I love the closeness of the community."

Midshipmen like Martindale who are selected for this elite post must excel in technical sciences and earn high academic ranks. Fluent in Russian, Martindale holds a bachelor's degree in science and studied physics, thermal dynamics, propulsion and chemistry at the Naval Academy.

This training is preparing her for a career spent in a high-stress environment, cramped quarters, and being in a vessel submerged hundreds of feet below the surface for long periods of time.

But Martindale said she welcomes the challenge.

"At the end of the day, a submarine is a fantastic opportunity to be with a specific part of the Navy that prides itself on professional accomplishment," she said.

In total, 20 female seniors were chosen from graduating classes at schools across the country for the 2010 submarine program. They will come from the Naval Academy, collegiate Reserve Officer Training Corps programs and officer candidate schools, said Navy officials.

Now that the women are graduated, they will finish administrative work then go on with their male colleagues to begin an intensive submarine officer training program. The 15-month program includes nuclear power school, submarine training and the Submarine Officer Basic Course.

Martindale said once she finishes and becomes a junior marine officer, she does not know which submarine she will call home. She added, however, that the women will be placed in groups of three on guided missile submarines.

These subs, as opposed to fast-attack subs, are a slightly larger and more conducive to having dual facilities, Martindale said.

She knows challenges lie ahead, but believes the payoff will be worth it.

"There are benefits and drawbacks, and I'm sure there are days where you maybe feel ready to crawl outside your skin," she said. "But this is the silent force, and they have done missions people don't even talk about, and I'm just excited to serve."