It’s no secret that women are a minority in the military. In fact, only 17.8% of all active-duty members are female. But it’s not all doom and gloom— there are currently over 350,000 active servicewomen and 2 million female veterans in the United States, the highest number ever in history.
When signing up, there are a few branches to choose from; Army, Navy, Marines, and the Air Force.
So, which military branch has the most females?
The Army has the most females in terms of numbers, but women are most likely to join the Air Force.
The Council of Foreign Relations took a deep dive into gender representation in the US military. Here are their findings compiled.
Percentage of Enlisted Female Service Members By Military Branch
- Army officers - 18% female
- Navy officers - 18% female
- Marines officers - 7% female
- Air Force officers - 21% female
The above findings show that women are most likely to join the Air Force and least likely to join the Marines. In fact, women are far more likely than men to join the Air Force.
What is the most female-friendly military branch?
In the United States armed forces, all military occupational specialties (MOS) including combat arms, are available to females. Therefore, the choice as to which branch to join should be a personal one, and not based on gender.
When choosing which military branch to join, it’s important to focus on what you want to do and how you want to experience that. To make an informed decision, there are a few key things to consider; physical difficulty, opportunities, and safety & wellbeing.
Physical Difficulty
Some branches of the military are more physically demanding than others. While the difficulty will vary from position to position, Marines are often seen as the most physically demanding. Some people associate this with the lack of female marine officers.
The Army and the Marines are notoriously disciplined, Marines more so, and both are structured for ground combat and ground support. If you’re looking for a life-changing yet grueling experience that’ll train you to become a warrior— opt for Marines.
The Army has the second most intense basic training regimen (next to the Marines). Three of the nine weeks of basic training are devoted to marksmanship. Soldiers in the Army also have the ability to lead or defend against an assault.
The Air Force is considered the most “laid-back” branch of the military in terms of physical difficulty, which may be a key reason why it appeals to many women.
However, as far as educational requirements, the Air Force is the most difficult to get into. Without a high school diploma, your chances of getting into the Air Force are slim.
Opportunities
The Army has the widest breadth of career fields, being the largest service.
It’s a good idea to research each branch’s career fields. If your desired career field is available in more than one branch, then research which service treats women best in that specific career field.
Not all military service means combat in foreign lands. Your opportunities as a woman in the US military will depend on what field you choose to go into. For example, if you’re an X-ray technician or a legal specialist— it probably won’t make much of a difference in which branch you choose.
If you prefer technical work or have a desire to fly, then the Air Force is a great option. Additionally, if you want to travel overseas and see more of the world, then the Navy could be the right branch for you.
Safety and Wellbeing
Out of the four branches, the Army and Navy had the highest reports of sexual assault, according to the most recent data from the Department of Defense (DoD).
The DoD also notes that sexual assault remains "an underreported crime among both the civilian and military populations," therefore, the number of service members who have been sexually assaulted is likely higher than the reports.
The Air Force has the reputation of having the best quality of life programs (dormitories, family housing, on-base shopping and services, and recreation) of all the military service branches.
The Navy involves a lot of time spent away from home and isn’t always the easiest option for those with families. However, if you like to travel, the Navy could be perfect for you.