Groton— The women who will be the first to report to their submarines graduated today from the Naval Submarine School.

Nineteen women completed the 10-week officer basic course, along with 73 men. Eight women graduated from the course in July but went on to further training.

Friday's graduates have finished the six months of Nuclear Power School, six months of Naval Nuclear Prototype Training and the officer course. Some report to their submarines as early as next week.

"I'm so excited to be done with the training and finally be able to get to the boat," Ensign Tabitha Gant, 23, of Bowie, Md., said at the ceremony. "The training is rigorous, especially in length. We've been in training for over a year now. I definitely think we've gotten all the skills we needed to get, to go to the boat and immediately be helpful and be an asset to the team."

Gant is assigned to the USS Georgia (SSGN 729), Gold crew, in Kings Bay, Ga.

The guest speaker for the event was retired Capt. Jimmy L. Ellis, whose daughter was one of the graduates. It is the first time a submariner has had his daughter follow him into the submarine service.

Ellis said it was an emotional day and he was very proud.

j.mcdermott@theday.com