U.S. Navy Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES)

The Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES) was a division of the U.S. Navy established during World War II, allowing women to serve in non-combat roles. Created in 1942, WAVES aimed to fill critical positions, freeing men for active duty. Women in WAVES worked in various capacities, including clerical work, administration, and technical fields, thereby supporting the Navy's operations. This program marked a significant step towards the inclusion of women in the military and laid the foundation for their expanded roles in the armed forces in later decades. WAVES officially disbanded in 1946 after the war.