Departing USNA commandant sees progress

The Naval Academy's first female commandant, Capt. Margaret D. Klein, said yesterday that the academy - like the Navy in general - is much more accepting of women today than when she graduated in 1981.

"One of the biggest differences from when I was here, to today is the combat-exclusion law has changed greatly," Capt. Klein told reporters. "When I was here, there were very few jobs women could go into. We were not mainstream (but) today we are."

While male mids are more accepting of women serving in the Brigade of Midshipman, Capt. Klein said, some male grads still do not regard women as their...