Groton - Three of the first female submariners are being taken off their boats to face allegations of financial misconduct.

The alleged travel claim fraud occurred before the women, who are supply officers, reported to their submarines, according to Cmdr. Monica Rousselow, spokeswoman for the commander of the submarine force.

Their reassignments are part of an ongoing investigation, she said Friday.

"The integration of women on submarines will be minimally impacted," she said. "Overall, the process has gone smoothly with positive results."

Rousselow said that other Navy personnel are involved in the alleged misconduct but they are not assigned to submarines, and she could not say how many there are.

The three women are being temporarily reassigned to Submarine Group 10 in Kings Bay, Ga.

Rousselow said the submarine force is looking at the different options for replacing the women on the three submarine crews.

The Navy officially lifted its ban of women on submarines in 2010 and began preparing to bring female officers aboard ballistic-missile and guided-missile submarines.

j.mcdermott@theday.com