Billie Farrell on becoming the first female commanding officer of the USS Constitution

Commander Billie Farrell became the first woman to captain the USS Constitution in the historic warship's 224-year history. Nancy Chen met her on board the vessel to see the new waves she's creating. ​
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[@713devereux]

Love the uniform, I didn't even know that was a thing anymore.The classics never go out of style.Congratulations Billie Farrell.

[@jeffjr84]

Still the coolest navy uniforms we ever had lol

[@irvinchambers4573]

Haven't we done the first of everything already.?

[@hanfei6871]

You’d be surprised

[@ItsMotoMatt]

No, absolutely not.

[@harperlea9288]

That's wonderful! Congratulations!

[@stevetaylor6451]

Whilst maybe a minor point, the USS Constitution is the oldest afloat, not the oldest commissioned warship, that is HMS Victory. Both incredible ships and well worth a visit when in Boston or Portsmouth. Congratulations to Billie Farrell on her appointment.

[@bobkin611]

Sir you just commissioned the first woman, congratulations, sir! you just made history! Admiral: Wtf do you mean a woman... Her name is Billy??? On a serious note. That uniform is the coolest thing ever.

[@stunner9005]

Somewhere in Davy Jone’s locker past crew for the ship are screaming with terror.

[@UpatoiCreekRifles]

The founding father are definitely rolling around in their graves. When are we getting the first trans ship commander?

[@mistersquirrel0]

Any chance this boat getting deployed to the Black Sea? If it sails this week it might get there next year.

[@Grahamvlogs802vt]

I ship her and the ship

[@catman8965]

Reminds me of Captain Ivanova.

[@leetorres5863]

Very cool!!! I am so happy for her 🥰

[@victoriaradut6386]

Congratulations.

[@lutzderlurch7877]

The epaulettes are insane

[@d.b.1176]

Noooooo, thats bad luck!!!

[@JerseyDevil187]

Sad

[@genesmolko8113]

Awesome!

[@SuperPhunThyme9]

Damn you people are obsessed with this stuff. I've been hearing this first woman stuff literally my entire life lol

[@genesmolko8113]

And it triggers you every time, doesn't it.

[@frankgarrett2517]

@@genesmolko8113 just the other day I read an article of the first man to compete and dominate in women’s swimming.

[@jamescurran6277]

​@genesmolko8113 it triggers you. I don't see a woman. I see a qualified Naval officer. You people are OBSESSED with race and gender an whatever else you can think of.

[@peanutsarecheap1997]

Yasssssssss Queen 🌷😘

[@PinkHawk191]

Congratulations!

[@tomthx5804]

Burp.

[@alexeyorlov9639]

Doesn't that uniform neck thing and the rest bother her ?

[@lutzderlurch7877]

it's a standup collar. I would guess it is following regulation dimensions, and possibly, if she is small in stature, features might end up a bit large on her. The epaulettes of that 1800ish era style uniform are insane, though.

[@joeysausage3437]

So what.

[@devilpupbear09]

There is no ship that can match the USS Constitution for speed I've heard of one, it's supposed to be very fast nigh uncatchable: The Black Pearl

[@ms.annthrope415]

Commander of a floating museum? It sails once in a while but of course it is never in a war zone or doing war duties. So does she get graded in war game exercises or readiness drills? I dont understand how this "command" time will increase her resume.

[@walther007]

That is probably a hard job to get. Having that on your resume will help her out, not hurt her.

[@KiltedVeteran]

Everyone is hand picked for the USS constitution. It is an honor to serve on that ship. Plus, it is America's Ship of State. Essentially, it is the flagship of the US Navy and the only ship of state on the planet. This would be a great command to have.

[@sirboomsalot4902]

It’s considered a special assignment like Tomb of the Unknown soldier guards.

[@wakz2618]

The crews that served on that ship in times of war would no doubt be ecstatic to know a whamen captain is in charge of their beloved ship to fight the patriarchy!

[@kebabsvein1]

Not the oldest commissioned warship still in service, but the oldest still in water.. Get your facts right america

[@billypeek7186]

2022, commanding officer because she is female.

[@donaldfuller5058]

I think she is in good ranks with captain Samuel Nicholson. I hope she has hundred more captains after her to serve on the constitution.

[@sum1799]

EXACTLY WHERE SHE BELONGS. IN A TOKEN ROLE OF LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE

[@claireconover]

shut up… she’s in charge of a HISTORIC piece of national pride.

[@shushuwu]

Spoken like a true incel!

[@charlesbaldo]

@@claireconover as a former sailor assigned to the USS Forrestal , i wish you both would shut up.

[@walther007]

Shut the f up. When was the last time you swore an oath to protect the American Flag and everything it represents?

[@sum1799]

@@walther007 are you a trans super soldier or am I reading too much into things

[@KShadow1776]

Diversity is our strength.

[@sloopydoopy7318]

Lol what is China's and Russia strength they say this is our weakness

[@sirboomsalot4902]

@@sloopydoopy7318 Russia’s strength is having hundreds of TikTok propagandists and Chinas strength is having enough cannon fodder to actually use human wave tactics.

[@greeranelson]

Rad…I love seeing a woman in command. I’m also impressed that a third of the crew are women. My hope is that my future daughters will have enumerate female role models and never have a thought that there’s something they cannot do.

[@jjtiojohn12]

Who cares? It's out of commission! That's like a four year old being named firefighter for a day.

[@jjtiojohn12]

@@jonathanmartin7046 decommissioned in battle! It's an ancient ship!

[@walther007]

When a warship is commissioned. It means it's in-service. Meaning there could be fresh sailors out of basic training on it.

[@sloopydoopy7318]

@@jonathanmartin7046 its not doing any fighting so his comment stands

[@huntercurts9998]

@@sloopydoopy7318 no it doesn't. that ship was named by George Washington himself and is older than the white house. She been in existence for every war we haven been as an independent nation. There is a reason being stationed on her is highly regarded.

[@DustyB]

Higher title than you’ll ever have

[@paulcosentino1140]

Dont they know a woman is bad luck on a ship. Preposterous.

[@bayareagrl4ever526]

Awesome. Hope she’s paid the same as a man as well…

[@walther007]

It's the military. There are pay bands and grades based off time in. Her promotion above Lt. Commander (similar to Army Major) is more experienced based. Being a woman, wouldn't matter.

[@sloopydoopy7318]

Omg that b.s. argument thats been proven wrong so many times.here's a new one tho why should she get paid the same as the men who have to wait for her to get off first if the boat sinks lol.

[@KiltedVeteran]

It's the military. Pay grades are the same across all military branches, regardless of gender.

[@Crusader1984]

A woman captains that makes as much sense as a woman driver! The ship only set sail once a year? So most the time it’s just in the harbor lol

[@FigureInMind]

Why wasn't she the woman of the year?