I recently reported to my first department head tour as the Chief Engineer on a destroyer out of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. To say that I was nervous was an understatement. I worried about whether the department would be able to see through my lack of technical expertise, whether I would remember how to review 3M reports, how I would get along with the other department heads. What I did not think about was having to repeat the phrase, "Yes, I am a female CHENG (Chief Engineer), we are not unicorns, we do exist."
When my orders popped on the ship, I was told there was general excitement on board. A female department head! A female SWO (surface warfare officer)! A female CHENG!
Each statement more unbelievable than the last.
The female division officers talked eagerly about my arrival as if I was a rare traveling exhibit, except I would like to hope way more relatable. I would be able to hand down career advice, mentoring, and the female perspective as only someone who has been in the Navy for 8.5 years could. Whatever came out of my mouth as a female officer would obviously be more relevant to them than anything those silly male department heads could offer. I was soon dubbed "the Lady CHENG."
Now it's one thing for someone who's been in the Navy a minute (okay, maybe a year), but quite another for a Master Chief to be astounded that female CHENG's are out there. This was literally the conversation I had during my "check in" with the Command Master Chief:
CMC: It is so nice to have a female CHENG on board. I've never seen one.
(Note: Why "never seen one"? Am I really a circus exhibit? How about "never met one".)
Me: Yeah, we're not unicorns. We do exist.
CMC: I just am so glad that you are here. I hope that you can inspire all those female junior sailors, provide a positive example as a female engineer.
Me: (I'm pretty sure I gave him a non-commital blank stare because I had used up my one smartass comment per a check-in, I try to limit them at least during first impressions.)
CMC: (notices the semi-awkward silence) I mean, I know you strive to inspire ALL sailors, not just the female ones, or just the engineers.
Me: (another non-commital smile)
CMC: And... uh, I've never met a female engineering chief either. And we currently don't have any female chiefs on board. But we do have orders on one!
Suffice to say, it was amusing. So as a public service announcement to all those currently in the Navy: Yes, there are female CHENG's out there. Yes, we are just like regular CHENG's except perhaps that whole XX chromosome. Yes, we do hope to inspire female sailors, but really all sailors we meet.
Oh, and yes, I actually did ASK to be a CHENG. Another common question.
And lastly, for all those who say they have never met a female CHENG, I would like to remind them that we still have female nukes, whose jobs are at least on par engineering wise if not way more difficult than a gas turbine CHENG. That's why I would never want to be one.
