Groton — The local Navy base on Monday welcomed the first class of female officers selected to serve on U.S. submarines.

The eight officers, who are scheduled to join submarine crews in February, will be among the first women to serve on submarines since the Navy repealed a ban.

Until the Navy announced the change last year, women had been barred on the theory that the close quarters and long deployments were unsuitable for coed crews.

The 10-week Submarine Officer Basic Course that began Monday in Groton also includes 74 men. No changes have been required in terms of lodging or classrooms, Naval Submarine School spokesman William Kenny said.

— Associated Press