What Are the Benefits of Women in the Military?

Female Soldier

Women in the military hold jobs in every career field except the combat arms. Female service members have provided vital support for defense of our nation since WWII. This offers substantial benefits to both the services and the individual women concerned.

1 History

Briefing

In 1942, the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps was founded. Those women provided support to the troops fighting in WWII, which freed men to serve in the combat theaters. A year later it was converted to the Women's Army Corps, a branch of the U.S. Army.

2 Background

Everyday Ambassador

In 1978, the WAC ceased to exist. Women in the Army became full-fledged soldiers and were assigned to the same units as men. Since then, they have performed the same jobs, in the same capacities. Currently, women make up between 15 and 20 percent of the active force.

3 Women in Combat Situations

On Patrol

Although women have been quietly working in combat situations for a very long time, it has only been allowed legally since 1994. At present, women serve on the battlefield in many support capacities.

4 Advantages for Women

Warehousing

The military is a great place for women to learn lucrative skills that might be hard to come by in the civilian world. Examples include mechanics, engineering, logistics, medical, flight, and administrative expertise.

5 Advantages for the Military

Movement to Contact

All branches of the military recruit women. Among other things, this allows for a far greater pool of candidates to choose from, and it allows the services to seek out the best qualified individuals to serve.

Karen Good started writing professionally in 1993, both for the U.S. Army and commercially, including articles in "Army Logistician" and "Playgirl." She is a retired Army officer who holds a Bachelor of Arts in history and English from SUNY, a Bachelor of Science in psychology and sociology from the University of Maryland and a Master of Education in counseling psychology from Boston University.

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