The Coast Guard became the first U.S. military branch to admit women as full members during World War II. Women entered the Coast Guard Reserve through the Women’s Reserve, known as SPARS, beginning in 1942.
SPARS was the Coast Guard counterpart to wartime women’s organizations in the other services. The name came from the Coast Guard motto, “Semper Paratus,” meaning “Always Ready.” Women performed administrative, communications, and other duties, allowing more men to be assigned to sea and operational work.
Women also served in wartime organizations connected with the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps, but the timing and legal status of those programs differed. “First to admit women” refers to the branch’s wartime personnel policy, not to women’s first appearance in any military-related role.
Veterans Day observances increasingly include the service of women veterans, whose contributions span logistics, intelligence, medicine, aviation, combat support, and direct combat roles in later periods.