Many a men have helmed the U.S.S. Constitution since the three-masted wooden Navy frigate was built in 1797. After 225 years, a highly decorated commander with as much salt and combat experience as her male predecessors is making history aboard America’s most historic ship.
Cmdr. Billie J. Farrell took command of the U.S.S. Constitution on Jan. 21, 2022, becoming the first woman captain of America’s oldest warship.
To her two young children, Farrell is nothing short of the coolest mom on earth. “You get to do this every day,” Farrell’s 6-year old son said to her excitedly as he watched his mother for the first time stand watch over the first of two cannon salutes. They are fired off daily aboard the Boston-berthed 204-foot ship.
To the Navy, Farrell is not a woman who happens to be a great commander, but as Navy Petty Officer Elliot Fabrizio, who heads the operations department of the U.S.S. Constitution, put it, “a great commander who happens to be a woman.”
“Because it’s special duty, it’s on par with the Blue Angels and the Ceremonial Honor Guard. You have to have an amazing record of excellence in order to be considered for it and then you have to be selected for it.” said Fabrizio, one of 80 active duty sailors who serves under Farrell’s command.
