Saturday 3 March 2012

US - Three Female Submarine Officers Reassigned Amid Fraud Investigation

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Within months of joining the force, three female officers have been pulled from submarine crews.

The three women are under investigation for financial misconduct, according to Submarine Forces spokeswoman Cmdr. Monica Rousselow.

We spoke with Rousselow several times Friday night, who confirmed the financial misconduct under investigation has to do with travel claim fraud.

Rousselow added the alleged incidents occurred prior to reporting to their assigned submarine group, but would not provide further details, only saying, "There were three female supply officers assigned to submarines that are being temporarily reassigned due to an ongoing investigation."

First Coast News also contacted the Department of Defense and Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay directly. They referred us to Rousselow.

Rousselow also said, "There are other personnel involved that are not assigned to submarines." She clarified they are military personnel, but would not confirm if they are Navy or civilian.

Rousselow would not release the women's names or the names of the submarines, citing privacy concerns.

The women are three of the eight first female officers to serve on submarines.

The Navy lifted a gender ban preventing women from serving on submarines in 2010.

Eight female officers completed training and reported, four to Submarine Group 9 out of Bangor, Wash., and four to Kings Bay.

Rousselow would not say where the women under investigation were stationed.

The Naval Criminal Investigative Service is still investigating.

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