Women in Service

Several comments relating to your May 24 editorial “Women in Service.” First, you completely omitted one of this nation’s five armed forces, the U.S. Coast Guard, the first military academy to admit women. Second, you should be aware that a woman was graduated at the top of this year’s Coast Guard Class of ’85. Third, the Coast Guard permits women to perform in all feasible categories of service, including duty on combatant ships.

The Coast Guard has women serving as commanding officers of Coast Guard cutters and stations. Finally, one must remember, when viewing the small percentage of female admirals and generals, it takes about 25 years of service to be eligible for those top ranks. Women have only recently had the kinds of opportunities you speak about and no one goes directly from ensign to admiral.

B.S. SPARKS

Hollywood