SPARs (Semper Parus Always Ready) Coast Guard
Semper Paratus Always Ready, better known as SPARs, was the United States Coast Guard Women’s Reserve created Nov. 23, 1942. SPARs took many Coast Guard jobs such as telephone and radio operators so that they ‘could release a man to sea.’
On Feb. 24, 1943 the first five SPARs arrived in the Pacific Northwest and reported to the 13th Naval District office in Seattle. The women were originally WAVES and were given the opportunity to transfer into the Coast Guard as SPARs. Originally, the Seattle office had requested 175 SPARs from their boot camp training facility in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The class only had 150 women, so only 19 were sent. ‘The original nineteen’ as they were called, were the first group of SPARs to be assigned to the 13th Naval District from boot camp.
When the SPARs arrived in Seattle, they were informed that the housing situation was ‘very bad.’ Only a few rooms in the Earl Hotel had been reserved and it was only for a limited time. Many of the women had to stay in the apartments of radiomen and communicators who were on leave or deployed. A few families in the Broadmoor District (a gated residential community) of Seattle had opened their homes to the SPARs. Some stayed in guest rooms while others had to occupy maid’s quarters or recreation rooms. In June 1943, the Coast Guard took over the Assembly Hotel giving a fully furnished place for the SPARs to call home.
In June 1944, a survey reported that 401 SPARs in Seattle were assigned positions and 249 men were released of their duties and sent to war. This did not mean that it took twice as many women to fill men’s positions, but the work was heavily increasing. In addition, only 17 men who already had SPAR replacements were still in the office. The turnover was happening rapidly. Almost as soon as a SPAR arrived, she was able to do the job needed so that the man could be sent to war.
The 13th Naval District was famous for the fact that its women were rated and advanced. The District Coast Guard Officer (DCGO), believed in their abilities and saw to it that they were given responsibility. However, the responsibilities could not be given until a SPAR held the rating, so advancement became an issue. When the women joined the reserve they were not given ratings right away, unlike their male counterparts. The DCGO said in a letter, “…in order to have contentment and efficient operation, there must be a flow of promotions.” In other words, the SPARs would work even better and would be happier if they had goals to get a promotion. Once given the opportunity, the SPARS studied frequently. Women made their ratings and quickly advanced in them. Although they were quite proud of their ratings, many SPARs were afraid to show it by trying to conceal their badges because the men in their positions before them had been unrated seamen for long periods of time without being advanced.
On Feb. 24, 1943 the first five SPARs arrived in the Pacific Northwest and reported to the 13th Naval District office in Seattle. The women were originally WAVES and were given the opportunity to transfer into the Coast Guard as SPARs. Originally, the Seattle office had requested 175 SPARs from their boot camp training facility in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The class only had 150 women, so only 19 were sent. ‘The original nineteen’ as they were called, were the first group of SPARs to be assigned to the 13th Naval District from boot camp.
When the SPARs arrived in Seattle, they were informed that the housing situation was ‘very bad.’ Only a few rooms in the Earl Hotel had been reserved and it was only for a limited time. Many of the women had to stay in the apartments of radiomen and communicators who were on leave or deployed. A few families in the Broadmoor District (a gated residential community) of Seattle had opened their homes to the SPARs. Some stayed in guest rooms while others had to occupy maid’s quarters or recreation rooms. In June 1943, the Coast Guard took over the Assembly Hotel giving a fully furnished place for the SPARs to call home.
In June 1944, a survey reported that 401 SPARs in Seattle were assigned positions and 249 men were released of their duties and sent to war. This did not mean that it took twice as many women to fill men’s positions, but the work was heavily increasing. In addition, only 17 men who already had SPAR replacements were still in the office. The turnover was happening rapidly. Almost as soon as a SPAR arrived, she was able to do the job needed so that the man could be sent to war.
The 13th Naval District was famous for the fact that its women were rated and advanced. The District Coast Guard Officer (DCGO), believed in their abilities and saw to it that they were given responsibility. However, the responsibilities could not be given until a SPAR held the rating, so advancement became an issue. When the women joined the reserve they were not given ratings right away, unlike their male counterparts. The DCGO said in a letter, “…in order to have contentment and efficient operation, there must be a flow of promotions.” In other words, the SPARs would work even better and would be happier if they had goals to get a promotion. Once given the opportunity, the SPARS studied frequently. Women made their ratings and quickly advanced in them. Although they were quite proud of their ratings, many SPARs were afraid to show it by trying to conceal their badges because the men in their positions before them had been unrated seamen for long periods of time without being advanced.
This is an interview of Lieutenant Junior Grade Harriet Writer, a SPAR during WWII about her life before and during the war. Click HERE to read it.