WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service)

WAVES, or Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service, was a U.S. Navy program established in 1942 during World War II to recruit women into non-combat roles. It allowed women to serve officially in the Navy, filling positions such as clerks, radio operators, and mechanics, which supported military operations. WAVES enabled the Navy to free male personnel for combat duties and marked a significant step toward gender integration in the armed forces. Women in WAVES wore naval uniforms and received training, contributing actively to the war effort while maintaining their identities as service members.