Women in Combat Roles across Military Branches?

I'm a junior exploring my potential future paths and the military is one of them. As a young woman, I'm really curious if all branches of the military allow women in combat roles? I believe in equality and it's important to me that there are equal opportunities in my chosen path.

Yes, women can serve in combat roles within all six branches of the U.S. military - The Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, Navy, and Space Force.

Historically, there were certain restrictions on women serving in combat roles. However, in 2016, the U.S. Department of Defense officially opened up all military combat roles to women without exception. This means women have the opportunity to serve in any military role they qualify for, including infantry, artillery, armor and special operations roles.

This historic change recognized the valuable contributions that women can and have been making in combat roles, despite being officially barred from many. It's important to bear in mind that while all roles are open to women, physical standards have remained in place and are the same for men and women alike, as these are correlated with specific requirements of the job role.

To provide an example, the Army Ranger School, one of the most grueling military schools with an intensive training program, graduated its first women in 2015. This was a significant milestone, as the Ranger School is known for combat leadership training and is an important stepping stone to leadership in the Army.

In terms of equality, the military branches aim to provide equal opportunities. However, different branches do report varying percentages of women among their ranks. Both societal factors and stringent physical requirements of certain roles may contribute to the gender disparity. That being said, these numbers have been steadily increasing throughout the years.

Look into each branch to see which one aligns with your personal interests and strengths. Also take into consideration the different roles available in each branch. Every single branch has unique aspects, and may be a better fit for you depending on what you are looking for. Feel free to attend recruitment events, reach out for informational interviews, and ask individuals who have served about their experience. From this, you should be able to get a good sense of which path you may want to take.