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| Rosemary B. Mariner, Captain, United States Navy, Retired (02 Apr 1953 – 24 Jan 2019) |
A friend of mine* over at the book of faces posted a note from the U.S. Naval Institute of this naval aviator's passing. With two daughters having served in the Navy, one in aviation, I was rather surprised that I had never heard of this lady, this fine American.
Mariner was born Rosemary Ann Merims. She grew up in San Diego, California, with a keen interest in aircraft and flying. She worked odd jobs and washed aircraft to earn money for flying lessons and flight time. She graduated from Purdue University in December 1972 at age 19 with a degree in Aviation Technology. She had earned FAA flight engineer and pilot ratings before she joined the Navy. While in the Navy, Mariner earned a Master's degree in National Security Strategy from the National War College. (Source)Working odd jobs and washing aircraft to earn money for flying lessons and flight time? Sounds like many a budding young pilot I've read of and known. She was a pioneer for women in naval aviation, how had I not heard of her?
There is bias in every profession, every walk of life. There is a long standing bias, among some men, about women serving in the military. I have served with a number of outstanding women, both enlisted and officer, as I have served with a number of outstanding men, again both enlisted and officer. Yes, I've served with some real duds (of both genders) but never saw anything which made me say, "Women don't belong in the military."
Because it's poppycock, and women like Captain Mariner prove that. My daughters prove that and so do many of the women I've served with, most were excellent, some were average, and yes, a few weren't that good. Just like the men I served with.
Captain Mariner was the first woman to command an aviation squadron, VAQ-34. According to her obituary, she was instrumental in the repeal of restrictions on women serving in combat. No matter how you might feel about that, it's an important accomplishment, if women can meet the qualifications, why shouldn't they serve?
After retirement from, the Navy she taught military history at the University of Tennessee. How could I not deeply respect a person such as she, a love of aviation and a love of history. We were contemporaries, she was a month and change older than myself. But she managed to graduate from college at the age of 19! (So obviously she was a pretty smart lady, much smarter than Your Humble Scribe I'll wager!)
Cancer took this accomplished pilot and scholar from us and I mourn her loss.
Fair winds and following seas, Cap'n Mariner. See you on the other side.
Godspeed!
Update:
From a friend of mine -
My tanker squadron frequently co-operated with hers, both when she was part of the Ready Room and later on as she moved up the chain. She was always mission-oriented and never once played or sought to play the "look at me, I'm a woman!" card. She was paid what many consider the highest compliment you can be paid, although always behind one's back (Lest it go to one's head) when those who flew with her always mentioned she was a "good stick." A shipmate who served under her as a DH says she was the finest of the three CO's in the EW Aggressor community he served with. She earned the name "Skipper." (For those here who may forget, there are those who fill the billet of Commanding Officer. There are others who earn the name "Skipper.") Take heading 270, Rosie. Cleared to climb unlimited.
* Hat tip to Peter K.
Aeronautical degree from Purdue at age 19......ah Texas born.....there ya go..... at that age I was still wet behind the ears. Good post Sarge. Godspeed Captain. Aarrggh..... below zero, -9 now and will remain well below zero until Friday..... ugh.....NW winds too..... schools cancelled today AND tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteYup, a very smart, very accomplished lady, she will be missed.
DeleteBelow zero and windy, no thank you. Been there, done that...
What gets me now at my age 3 years older than you-is reading about people dying now
ReplyDeleteBut then death never played favorites with age.
I wonder why she isn’t recognized more as a pioneer?
Yeah, it's starting to get a bit scary, innit?
DeleteAs to your last, who knows? But I have a couple of theories...
Because the military pinned it's hopes and dreams on some real duds, which blew up in their face. Meanwhile, competent women who just served, and served well, without drama, are overlooked by the politicians and the military.
DeleteWhich is why, until coming here, I have never heard of The Nuke or The WSO or this fine lady. Because they all served correctly, without negative incident. Unlike the cat-fight in the USS Fitzgerald, or the 'first' lady combat flyer or the 'first' lady Ranger...
So many servicemen and servicewomen have served with great distinction that, to stand out, one must do something spectacular. Spectacular either way. Like the sign on a handicapped bus for what we would call 'slow' kids. 'Exceptional' Student Bus. Exceptional meaning 'not the norm' so it's the right usage. Just most people don't understand the negative connotations of 'exceptional.' So, to get back on track, spectacular people are either super good or super bad. And the history of women in combat is loaded with super bad because one of the first defenses the super bad use is their sex. While the super good achieve in spite of whatever their gene structure dictates.
Argh, who glued my feet to the soapbox?
Don't feel that you need to get down. Kinda like Colonel Jessup in "A Few Good Men," we NEED you on that soapbox!
DeleteHey Old AFSarge;
ReplyDeleteThat was a well written eulogy. And you are a better scribbler than you give yourself credit for.
Thanks MrG. I try.
DeleteHe writes so well because he writes naturally. He doesn't force it.
DeleteAnd, yes, an exceptional eulogy. Of the positive kind (referring to 'exceptional' defined above.)
Thanks Beans. When I try to force things I eventually give up and y'all get a "I Got Nuthin" post. ;)
DeleteA man's got to know his limitations.
Your writing ability is so good that your IGN posts are better than most other bloggers' regular posts.
DeleteHahaha!
Delete+1 Beans.
DeleteOr when you tell us to play quietly amongst ourselves.
:)
DeleteThanks Suz.
Sitting in the penalty box in a virtually full airplane with a one hour hold before t/o for Houston. Had, emphasis past tense, a 1+10 furn there. Looks like a fun day ahead.
ReplyDeleteRIP, Warrior!
No fun there, no fun at all!
DeleteAh, the joys of commercial aviation.
Bleh. Being trapped inside an aluminum petri dish with a packet of various 'insert disease/affliction here' Mary's is not my idea of fun. Bleh.
DeleteAnd I am sure they'd be unhappy if I showed up in a blue hazmat suit with the Level 3 filter air system. Don't even know how TSA, now that they're getting paid again, would handle it. "Sir, step out of the suit." "NO." "Sir, step out of the suit now." "Look, can't I just climb in the baggage compartment?" "SIR..." "Shouldn't that be 'gentleperson?"
It ain't the potential diseases I mind so much as the "I have all my worldly possessions in this bag and I'm going to hold up boarding and deplaning for an hour while I attempt to cram it in an overhead bin" stupidity that I've seen every time I fly.
DeleteI usually don't try to cram them all into the overhead compartment, only because my upper body strength sucks, so I usually just tuck them under my feet. But, then, I am short, and I sit by the window, because I am short, so I give some tall dude the head and leg room.
DeleteMy worldly belongings fit better into the backpack these days thanks to my e-reader...much more compact way to carry books.
Backpack fits nicely under the seat in front of me. Everything else gets checked, I don't want to be "that guy."
DeleteEven before I opened the page, I had a premonition it was going to be about someone's death not in the past. Someone who did their job and mission well enough that no one noticed. A very definition of a true sailor. Godspeed dear lady, Godspeed.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I hate posts like this, but I felt the need to honor the lady.
DeleteShe earned it, in spades.
It is a good thing to give recognition to a former comrade in arms, even if you were not in at the same time. And, not only is her passing a loss to the military, but also to the college community, who needs sane, intelligent professors desperately. Bottom line, cancer is a horrible disease which we need to continue to work to eradicate. Where is Dr. Bones when we need him?
DeleteYup, cancer sucks.
DeleteWarning, tomorrow's post will be kinda dark, I'm in a "mood" as of late.
Never heard of her.
ReplyDeleteLike you, I look forward to meeting her on the other side.
I know and we should have heard of her.
DeleteShe was that good.
I am lucky and privileged to have known several "very smart, very accomplished" and very competent women who have served this country. None of them are known to many others, but they have all made sacrifices to preserve the freedom we hold dear. Some have made the ultimate sacrifice, others continue to serve in various capacities. It is comforting to know there are many like them - doing their job as professionals in complete anonymity as far as the public is concerned.
ReplyDeleteAmen, Tom, well said.
DeleteThank you for making known to me this fine American.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the post.
Paul L. Quandt
You are most welcome!
DeleteI worked in the control tower at NWC China Lake as first duty station after "A" school and knew Rosemary Conatser (her last name back then)
ReplyDeletein a professional sense. Recall she flew the A-7, T-39, C-131, U-3, U-9 and the QF-86, which was the target version of the F-86. I was only 20
or so at the time, and was in awe of her on the few occasions we spoke face to face versus on the radio. Here is a link with many pics, if you scroll down approx halfway you can see her on the QF-86. Rest easy Ma'am.
http://www.chinalakealumni.org/1978/1978mo.htm#thumb
Jim
Thanks for the link Jim. It's good to hear from those who served with her, from what I've read, she was well-respected.
Delete