
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, October 20, 1993                   TAG: 9310200117
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-9   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: LONDON                                LENGTH: Short

BRITAIN'S FEMALE-ONLY NAVAL UNIT TO DISBAND

The Women's Royal Naval Service - a female-only unit known affectionately as the "Wrens" - will be disbanded Nov. 1, clearing the way for women to reach the highest ranks in the naval and marine corps.

The move "confirms the Royal Navy's commitment to equal opportunities and the prospects for promotion for all to the highest ranks on the basis of merit," the Ministry of Defense said Tuesday.

Officials expect to appoint the first female warship commander by the end of the decade.

The Wrens, whose commandant-in-chief is the Queen Mother, had largely been confined to shore duty until 1990, when they were allowed to take up postings on warships.

Today about 750 Wrens officers and sailors are on 25 ships, while others are training as pilots. - Associated Press

by CNB