Women have served in the U.S. military in limited roles throughout history such as nurses. It was not until the 1940s that women were allowed to officially join the military branches. While opportunities for women have expanded in each branch, full equality has not been achieved. Women still face restrictions in certain combat roles and have to overcome perceptions of traditional gender roles. Their representation has increased in each branch over time, but they continue to make up a minority of the overall military population.

1. Are Women Equalin the U.S. military? By : Miya Curry

2. History of Women in the Military The role of women in the military , especially in combat is extremely controversial . During World War One and Two women were used as nurses. In World War One , about 34,000 women served as nurses in different branches. It took the government and military awhile to recognize the potential value of women in the armed forces. Women weren’t allowed to join the military because people were afraid that letting women in to the military would lead to women being in combat, and the roles of women were expected to be at home.

3. Marines There was a separate Marine Women’s Reserve , but on June 12th 1948 Congress passed the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act and made women a permanent part of the Marine Corps Women in the Marines have equal opportunity to men. Women are encouraged to enter technical and weapon jobs.

4. Army The Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps (WAAC) bill passed Congress on March 15, 1942. There are approximately 73,000 women on active duty, which makes about 13% of women on active duty. Women serve as truck drivers, gunners, medics military police, and helicopter pilots. Female soldiers are stepping up and protecting convoy’s , which is a role traditionally filled by males.

5. Navy Women are not allowed to join the Navy Seals (Sea , Air and Land team )because they are not allowed to have direct combat roles One of the reason women aren’t allowed to be in the Navy Seals is because women have hygiene problems that men don’t . (menstrual, yeast infection) Women have job opportunities in fields such as, electronics, aviation, security, and weapons There are over 54,000 women in the Navy.

6. Air Force 16 percent of women make up the airforce. There are only a few positions that exclude women, which are connected to units that could be involved with direct ground combat. Since 1989 the percentage of women pilots in training has doubled There is no other military branch that offers more aviation opportunities to women than the air force.

7. Are women treated equally to men in the military Even though women are allowed to join the army, not all branches of the military give women equal opportunity. Women are treated the same for the most part, they just have to prove themselves , because jobs in the military have been a “ man’s job” for years.

8. Facts