Created in 1942 to help support the war effort during WW2, this group was a division of the Navy. The women went way beyond their former counter parts during WW1 and were accepted to fill the non-combat roles men usually filled. WAVES ended up being 2.5% of the Navy’s strength during World War II. Due to their success in the war women were granted permanent status into the Navy and have been serving alongside their male counterparts ever since.