Primarily documents the life of Louise Quadri Doak and her service with the United States Navy. Doak recalls her decision to join the United States Navy to gain independence and see the world. She describes the experience of being the sole female in a squadron, which included competitiveness and undermining from the male sailors, and the feeling that they were trying to sabotage and push her out. She also recalls her desire for more responsibility and a supervisory role, and her disappointment at being passed over for a male.