There are very few women in the US military force. That’s no secret. Women comprise about 14.4% of the active-duty military force. Currently, there are about 350,000 active servicewomen in the country and 2 million female veterans, the highest number in the country’s history.
So, which military branch is the most popular for women to enlist?
The Most Popular Military Branch for Women to Enlist
As of writing this, the Air Force has the highest number of active service females in the US armed forces. But that’s not to say that other branches of the Army are not female-friendly.
All military occupational specialties are available to females, including combat arms.
As such, deciding which branch of the Army you think is best for you should be more of a personal choice, not one based on gender.
It is essential to focus on what exactly you intend to do and how you want to experience it when choosing the branch of the armed forces to join. Fortunately, there are some key things to help you make a more informed decision.
These include, but are not limited to:
1. Physical Difficulty
You realize that some branches of the armed forces are more physically demanding and can take quite a toll. The difficulty of each branch will also vary depending on each member’s position.
When it comes to choosing the most physically demanding military branch, the Marines often rank the top. Most people believe that to be the reason why there are very few female marine officers.
The Army ranks as the second-most physically demanding branch in the military force. Its intense basic training regimen and devotion to marksmanship makes it the perfect military branch to lead or defend against assaults.
The Air Force is believed to be the most “laid-back” military branch in terms of physical difficulty. This could be the main reason why it appeals to most women. But as far as educational requirements go, the Air Force is also the most demanding and most difficult to get into.
Your chances of joining the Air Force are slim if you don’t have a high school diploma.
2. Opportunities
As the largest service in the US, the Army provides the widest breadth of career opportunities and fields. However, it’s always better to research which service and career field will give you the best opportunity to become the best version of yourself.
Your opportunities as a woman in the force depend on what field you want to pursue. Not all branches of the military mean combat in foreign lands. But your specialty in your particular career field should not prevent you from joining certain military branches.
For example, if you are a legal specialist or a lab technician, it wouldn’t make much difference which branch you joined. On the other hand, the Air Force is the best option if you enjoy doing technical work or desire to fly.
If you prefer traveling overseas and seeing more of the world, the Navy would be the branch to choose.
3. Safety and Wellbeing
Data from the DoD shows that the Army and Navy have reported the highest number of sexual assaults. Reports also indicate that sexual assault cases remain underreported among both civilian and military populations.
The Air Force has a reputation for providing its members the best quality of life programs, including dormitories, family housing, and recreation.
On the other hand, the Navy sometimes involves several months or years spent away from home, which isn’t always the best option for recruits with families. But it can be perfect for those who like to travel.
Which is the Most Popular Military Branch for Women?
The ongoing story of integrating more women into the American armed forces and diversifying the branches has been a long one.
The US military is fully accessible to women and can join any branch they deem fit and suits their career needs.
