{"id":75419,"date":"2023-05-31T22:17:28","date_gmt":"2023-05-31T22:17:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/uncategorized\/2023\/05\/31\/navy-selects-first-female-gunners-mate-for-master-chief\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T20:13:51","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T20:13:51","slug":"navy-selects-first-female-gunners-mate-for-master-chief","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/news\/your-military\/2023\/05\/31\/navy-selects-first-female-gunners-mate-for-master-chief\/","title":{"rendered":"Navy selects first active duty female gunner\u2019s mate for master chief"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Editor\u2019s Note: This story was updated after the Navy corrected itself to say Saunders is the first active duty gunner\u2019s mate to advance.<\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time<\/a>, the Navy has tapped an active duty female gunner\u2019s mate for promotion to master chief petty officer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Senior Chief Gunner\u2019s Mate Jessica Saunders, who enlisted in the Navy in 2002, screened for E-9 on May 23, according to the Navy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is not only a significant milestone for my naval career, but also for all Sailors,\u201d Saunders said in a Navy news release. \u201cThe glass ceiling is shattered! From the day I enlisted, I understood that with hard work, motivational leadership and a warfighter mentality, I could achieve my goals and help better our Navy for future generations.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\t