In the early 1940s, the Bronx, New York, became an unexpected but vital training ground for thousands of women entering military service. With the launch of the Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES) program in July 1942, the U.S. Navy urgently needed a dedicated facility to train its first female recruits. The answer came in the form of Hunter College in the Bronx, which was transformed into the U.S. Naval Training School (WR) (Women’s Reserve) for WAVES.
One of the many groups that passed through its halls was Company 22, Platoon 1, captured in the photograph above. These women who are standing in formation in their WAVES uniforms, represent a turning point in U.S. military history—when women in uniform became an essential part of naval operations.
Hunter College Becomes the U.S. Naval Training School
Located in the Bronx borough of New York City, Hunter College (now part of CUNY) played an instrumental role in training WAVES recruits. The college’s campus was selected due to its large facilities and proximity to existing naval infrastructure. It was the first time in U.S. military history that women were trained separately from men in an official military setting.
In early 1943, Hunter College became the primary induction center for the WAVES, with its classrooms, dormitories, and parade grounds quickly converted into military training spaces. Over the course of World War II, more than 80,000 women passed through its doors, making it the largest training site for WAVES personnel.
For the women of Company 22, Platoon 1, this was where their military journey began. They likely arrived at the Bronx facility by train or bus, carrying their orders and a mix of excitement and nerves. For many, this was their first time away from home, and they were stepping into an entirely new world. A world of strict discipline, early morning drills, and coursework on naval procedures, communications, and technical skills.
Training in the Bronx: Life as a WAVE Recruit
The U.S. Naval Training School operated much like a traditional boot camp, but adapted for the specific needs of WAVES. Women underwent six weeks of basic training, which included:
- Naval Regulations and Military Conduct – Learning the customs, ranks, and expectations of Navy life.
- Drill and Physical Fitness – Marching in formation on the parade grounds and completing daily physical training.
- Communications and Technical Training – Depending on their assignments, some trained as radio operators, aviation mechanics, cryptographers, or administrative personnel.
- Uniform Inspection and Discipline – Learning to maintain their distinct WAVES uniforms, including the navy-blue jackets, skirts, and the iconic white-trimmed hats.
Hunter College’s Bronx campus quickly became a self-sufficient naval facility. WAVES recruits lived in dormitories, followed a strict daily schedule, and adhered to military discipline. Outside of training hours, many recruits explored the city, visiting Times Square or taking the subway to see the Statue of Liberty—a brief respite before being assigned to their official stations.
The Women of Company 22, Platoon 1
The handwritten names on the photograph offer a rare personal glimpse into the individuals who made up Company 22, Platoon 1. Among them are names like Evelyn Patrick and Mary Nelson, each representing a woman who stepped forward to serve during a time of great national need. These inscriptions serve as a reminder of the camaraderie that developed among recruits as they trained together in the Bronx while preparing for their roles in the U.S. Navy.
Upon completing their training, these women of Company 22, Platoon 1 were assigned to duty stations across the country. Some were sent to Washington, D.C., where they assisted in decoding enemy transmissions or managing logistics vital to wartime operations. Others took on assignments at naval air stations, supporting aviation operations through communications, maintenance, and administrative roles. Though they were not permitted to serve in combat, their work played a crucial role in keeping military operations running efficiently and freeing up male personnel for service overseas.
A Lasting Bronx Legacy
The WAVES training facility at Hunter College in the Bronx remained active until the war’s end in 1945. After the war, the campus returned to civilian use, but its role in military history is still remembered. The women who trained there helped pave the way for the permanent integration of women into the U.S. armed forces with the passage of the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act in 1948.
The women of Company 22, Platoon 1, like thousands of others, left behind a legacy of service. Their training in the Bronx was just the beginning of a journey that shaped both their lives and the future of the U.S. Navy.
Further Reading
For further reading on the WAVES training program and the experiences of these women, consider the following books:
- ‘US Navy WAVES Training during World War II’: This is a CD that offers 4 different memory books (similar to cruise books) during WWII.
- ‘Making WAVES: Navy Women of World War II’: This book contains a photographic history of the first women to join the U.S. Navy and offers insights into their training and contributions during the war.
- ‘Mother was a Gunner’s Mate: World War II in the WAVES’: This book is a memoir that provides a first-person account of a woman’s experience serving as a WAVE during World War II, that highlights the challenges and triumphs during training and service.
These resources offer valuable perspectives on the training, service, and impact of the WAVES during World War II.