The first SPAR to be sworn into the regular Coast Guard occurred in which year?

The first SPAR to be sworn into the regular Coast Guard occurred in which year?

• A. 1973
• B. 1969
• C. 1959
• D. 1978

Answer: (A)

The key idea is when SPARs, the Coast Guard’s reserve of women, first entered the regular Coast Guard as full members. SPARs served in the reserve during and after World War II, but the transition to regular status didn’t happen until 1973. In that year, the first SPAR was sworn into the regular Coast Guard, marking the formal integration of women into the regular ranks. The other years don’t reflect that milestone—1959 and 1969 are earlier periods before regular-status openings, and 1978 is after the integration had already occurred. So 1973 is the year that demonstrates the shift to regular service for SPARs.

The key idea is when SPARs, the Coast Guard’s reserve of women, first entered the regular Coast Guard as full members. SPARs served in the reserve during and after World War II, but the transition to regular status didn’t happen until 1973. In that year, the first SPAR was sworn into the regular Coast Guard, marking the formal integration of women into the regular ranks. The other years don’t reflect that milestone—1959 and 1969 are earlier periods before regular-status openings, and 1978 is after the integration had already occurred. So 1973 is the year that demonstrates the shift to regular service for SPARs.