My Navy Too, the story of one woman's career in the U.S. Navy, is painted against a backdrop of the drama of the nineteen sixties and seventies -- the Vietnam War, the women's movement, and the confusion of the Cold War, and later, the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Don't Pursue" policy debate. While Vietnam runs its tragic course, Tucker Fairfield fights within the navy for women's rights and equality against her most implacable foe, "Big Daddy Navy." Tucker's communications with her mentor and friends and journal reveal a complex amalgam of human interactions and conflicts yet to be resolved within today's society.
Now is the right time for a book like My Navy Too. Who can better tell the story of women in the military -- the challenges they face, the traditions they try to understand, and the equality they seek -- than someone who has "been there, done that?" Movies such as "G.I. Jane" tell a part of the story; My Navy Too dots the "I's" and crosses the "T's."
Every day we see headlines about rules and regulations in the military and how they are applied to members of the armed services. Are the regulations which held sway for more than 100 years relevant today? Do they need to be changed to reflect changing attitudes about women, minorities, gays and lesbians in the military? This novel, while fiction, is solidly grounded in the military as it exists today. Tucker Fairfield -- an involved, intelligent woman -- faces challenges, obstacles, love, and "Big Daddy Navy" as her career as a naval officer advances. Her story will make you ache, cringe, and, most importantly, THINK about your own feelings,fears, and beliefs. This is not light reading. This book addresses sensitive and hurtful issues, but in a way that is both balanced and penetrating. It's probably the most balanced presentation of the sensitive political issues surrounding women, minorities, gays and lesbians in the military that has ever been offered to the reading public.
"My Navy Too couldn't come at a better time...In the end, the resolution will have to do with profound values that touch us all. This is a courageous book." Brad Knickerbocker, senior editor for the Christian Science Monitor, former correspondent and naval aviator.
Congresswoman Elizabeth Furse (OR-D) calls it an account that is both political and personal. "I was fascinated by this book and think it should be required reading for women and men who are entering the Navy or any other service."
"This book is strong and has good bones...My Navy Too is a splendid, sometimes astonishing read..." says Darrelle Novak Cavan, professor emeritus, communications, Mt. San Antonio College, California.
Lead Author and Editor: Commander Beth F. Coye, U.S. Navy (Ret.) CDR Coye brings to the subject a lifetime of relevant experiences. Her academic background includes a B.A. in Political Science (Wellesley College), an M.A. in International Relations (American University) and a Certificate in Naval Warfare (Naval War College). CDR Coye has taught at several colleges and universities, including the Naval War College, Newport, RI; Mesa College, San Diego, CA; San Diego State College, and the University of San Diego. Her academic fields include American Government, Women's Studies, International Relations, and Human Resource Management. Having served twenty-one years as a U.S. Navy woman line officer, CDR Coye has published several articles including in the Naval War College Review and the Naval Institute's Proceedings. Since her Navy retirement, she has served on numerous boards and is currently Co-President of the Rogue Valley Unitarian Universalist Church. CDR Coye writes the letters and journal of Tucker Fairfield and is overall editor and creator of
My Navy Too.
With: Vice Admiral Marmaduke Bayne, U.S. Navy (Ret.). VADM Bayne served as a naval officer commanding submarines when on duty at sea, and was involved in politico-military affairs or military education when serving ashore. He commanded the United States Middle East Forces. During that time he and his wife lived in Bahrain in the Arabian Gulf. He has been Executive Assistant to the Secretary of the Navy; Aide to the Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic and the Commander-in-Chief, Atlantic Fleet. During his last tour on active duty he served as Commandant, National War College in Washington, D.C. and as the first President of the National Defense University. Since retiring from the Navy he has served on many Boards and Committees, most recently as Trustee: New York Life's Mainstay Mutual Funds, and as Co-Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees of Union Theological Seminary in Virginia. He is a member of the Board of Visitors of Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service. VADM Bayne writes the letters of VADM Arthur "Buck" Buckingham, RADM Hank Fairfield and his wife Emily.
Esther Bain Bell
Ms. Bell worked briefly after graduating from Wellesley College with a B.A. in History. Subsequent to her marriage she worked as an elementary school librarian, a marketing administrator, a small business owner, a real estate agent and, finally, a massage therapist. She has three children and four grandchildren. She is currently working on family histories and memoirs. Ms. Bell writes CAPT Jennie Dumonte's letters.
Captain James T. Bush, U.S. Navy (Ret.)
After graduating from high school in Detroit in 1947, CAPT Bush enlisted in the Navy and a year later was accepted as an NROTC student at the University of Michigan where he graduated with a B.A. in political science. During his first Navy tours, he served in the Atlantic and Pacific fleets on cruisers and destroyers. Subsequently he served in the submarine force, both in diesel and nuclear submarines. He was Executive Officer USS Triton and USS John C. Calhoun, and Commanding Officer of the USS Simon Bolivar. Tours ashore include: Staff, Commander in Chief U.S. Naval Forces, Europe, and the Pentagon. While on shore duty he earned an M.A. in International Relations from the University of Southern California. For two years he was on temporary disability retired and worked as a volunteer on Congressional staffs. Returning to active duty, he served on Second Fleet staff. Upon his retirement, CAPT Bush worked for a congresswoman and senator. Since 1982 he has been Associate Director, Center for Defense Information. He and his wife Patricia write the letters of CAPT Thomas Jefferson Parker.
Patricia J. Bush, Ph.D.
Dr. Bush spent her early married life raising children and moving frequently. Eventually she resumed her education and career and currently is Professor Emeritus, Georgetown University School of Medicine, and Visiting Scholar, United States Pharmacopoeia. A pharmacosociologist, she is the author of Drugs, Alcohol, and Sex (Marek) 1981 and the co-author of Death in the Locker Room (Icarus 1984). She has edited three books, most recently Children, Medicines and Culture (Haworth 1996), and has published more than 80 book chapters and journal articles, primarily on the medicine-use process and children's health behavior, including several in the popular press. She has a B.S. from the University of Michigan, an M.Sc. from the University of London, and a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota. Professor Bush assisted in the editing of My Navy Too.
Kitty R. Clark, M.S.W.
Ms. Clark received her B.A. from Wellesley College in Zoology. Subsequently, she worked as a researcher in human development. During this time she married and started a family. In 1975 she received her Masters in Social Work from Simmons College and then worked at an inner city mental health center for 15 years. Ms. Clark is an illustrator of children's books and currently enrolled in Vermont College's Master of Fine Arts in Writing for Children. Ms. Clark writes Robyn Greeley's letters.
Lieutenant Commander Sandra L. Snodderly, U.S. Navy (Ret.)
Ms. Snodderly is a retired Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Navy, having specialized in Public Affairs. Ms. Snodderly holds a B.A. and an M.A. and is a very private, upbeat lady who has a passion for sports watching and crossword puzzles. She writes LCDR Billie Baker's letters.
