Women Men Officers Women Men
197027,948215,971 217,5641989 2019
Number of women
in the U.S. militaryArmyNavyAir Force32 women join the Army (36 out of every 100 men join)30 women join the Navy vs. 24 men8 women join the Marine Corps vs. 16 men30 women join the Air Force vs. 24 menFor every 100 women in the U.S. military...
Marine CorpsINFANTRY
Less than two years after
all restrictions were lifted,
some 600 women were
serving in the Army’s
newly opened ground
combat positions, such
as in field artillery. The
number has since grown
fivefold. As of August
2019, 231 women held
once closed positions in
the Marine Corps.CASUALTIES
Statistics for women
among the dead and
wounded in named
operations began to
be tracked in 2001.
1,208 vs. 58,458
RACIAL MINORITIES
Native Americans,
Alaska natives, African-
Americans, and other
minorities comprise
a large portion of
enlisted women.
41% vs. 26%
HISPANICS
The proportion of
Hispanic women who
serve exceeds both the
men’s share and the
proportion of Hispanic
women in the general
U.S. population.
22% vs. 18%
ADMINISTRATIVE
Women proportionally
hold more administra-
tive jobs, such as clerical
and legal support posi-
tions, than males do.25% vs. 11%
OFFICERS
The number of female
commissioned officers
is steadily climbing, sur-
passing the proportion
of officers among males.
19% vs. 18% 5% vs. 17%
HIGH PAY GRADE
As women progress
through the ranks, they
are starting to catch up
with men in reaching
higher salary ranges.10% vs. 12%
GROWING SHARE
Currently there are
100 women in the
U.S. military for every
499 men.united states
RISING UP THE RANKS
Women have been able to serve in aviation and naval com-
bat since the early 1990s, a period that also saw deep cuts
in personnel as the Cold War ended. Only in 2016 were all
ground combat jobs opened to women; by August 2019,
2,906 women held once restricted Army ground combat jobs.
ALL DATA FOR 2019, EXCEPT HISPANICS (2018), LATEST MONTH AVAILABLE. COAST GUARD DATA NOT INCLUDED. INFANTRY CATEGORY INCLUDES GUN CREWS AND
SEAMANSHIP SPECIALISTS. MONICA SERRANO, NGM STAFF. KELSEY NOWAKOWSKI. SOURCES: DEFENSE MANPOWER DATA CENTER; DEFENSE CASUALTY ANALYSIS SYSTEM;
LORY MANNING, SERVICE WOMEN’S ACTION NETWORK; CENTER FOR A NEW AMERICAN SECURITY