What major policy change occurred in 1978 regarding Coast Guard personnel?

• A. All officer career fields and enlisted ratings opened to women
• B. Women were prohibited from serving in combat roles
• C. The Coast Guard merged with the Navy
• D. Women could only serve in select fields

Answer: (A)

Opening all officer career fields and enlisted ratings to women is the key move here. In 1978 the Coast Guard removed the barriers that kept women out of certain jobs, allowing them to pursue any officer specialty and any enlisted rating, and to compete for advancement in all fields just like their male peers. This was a major step in gender integration and broadened career opportunities across the service.

The other options don’t fit because the Coast Guard did not merge with the Navy, and the change wasn’t about restricting women to select fields or keeping them out of combat in any ongoing sense—the policy actually removed those limitations and expanded opportunities.