Are Women Allowed in the Marine Corps?
The United States Marine Corps, one of the most elite and selective branches of the US Military, has a long-standing tradition of being an all-male organization. But in recent years, women have been making significant progress in breaking down barriers and becoming an integral part of the Marine Corps.
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History of Female Integration in the Marine Corps
While women have been serving in the US Military since 1948, it took decades for them to get a foothold in the Marine Corps. The US Marine Corps was the final branch to integrate women in 1994, a full 46 years after the Air Force and nearly 30 years after the Army and Navy.
When women were first allowed into the Marine Corps, only 14 women earned the coveted title of lieutenant, and they were excluded from serving in combat or frontline units. However, in 1997, the Department of Defense established the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services to oversee the integration of women into the military.
| Integration Timeline | Year | Development |
|---|---|---|
| 1948 | Welcome to the US Military… | A small number of women took up roles in the war effort |
| 1978 | ’70s Revolution | Inclusion of women in selected support positions |
| 1994 |
Gaining Momentum: Women Take on New Roles
In the last two decades, women’s roles in the Marine Corps have expanded significantly. Since 2001, they have been allowed to fill combat positions, including being assigned to ground combat troops and flying combat aircraft.
- 2001: Women can now serve as infantry, artillery, tank, and reconnaissance personnel, removing many restrictions on their jobs.
- 2002: The Marine Corps bans gender-based restrictions on access to training and positions in ground combat units, further solidifying women’s role in the Corps.
TABLE 2: Female Ranks and Roles in 2020
| Rank | <strongPercentage of Female Marines | <strongMale-dominated Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Lieutenants | 44.3% | Officers in Ground Combat Units (37.5% of Lieutenants) |
| Captains | 32.1% | Captains in Aircraft, Armor, and Other Specialties (26% of Captains) |
| Majors | 28.6% | Majors in Human Resources, Logistics, Engineering, and Other Support Specialties (24% of Majors) |
| Generals | 13% | Only 2 generals are female, both Generals, Brigadier |
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Breaking through Barriers: Women Continue to Excel
Women’s success in the Marine Corps is undeniable, with many breaking through age-old barriers and earning important leadership roles. Some key milestones include:
- First female Marine Corps instructor : Captain Katie Combs became the first woman to be assigned as a Marine Corps instructor in the 1990s. [19](endnote: 19)] She was followed by over 20 other female instructor officers.
2004: First female artillery officer : Captain Elizabeth Coughlin became one of the first women assigned to the Marine Corps 11th Marine Regiment.
- 2015: First female Marine Corps division commander : Brig. Gen. Margaret A. Craig, a helicopter commander, took command of Marine Corps Forces, Pacific Reserve, the first female leader to do so.
Other notable female Marines include astronaut candidate Captain Jessica Wright, a Marine Corps lawyer, and Lieutenant Colonel Martha McSally, who became the 118th US Senator in the 115th Congress.
Conclusion
While the Marine Corps has a long way to go in terms of diversifying its ranks, history shows that women have faced significant challenges and have persistently broken through barriers since the first female Marines of 1994. Significant milestones, such as Capt. Katie Combs breaking through the glass ceiling on all-female Marine Corps trainers, illustrate the Marine’s growing inclusivity. Still, women are vastly underrepresented in the force. As the number of women in the 2020 Marine Corps tops 16%, the integration of female Marines will pave the way for future, groundbreaking roles.
The marine Corps continues to push further in gender equality, while embracing and empowering its active and veteran female members’ voices and experiences. "In an era of shifting global threats and challenges for the Corps, we benefit from a diverse force drawn from every corner of this great nation," says U. S. Marine Corps https://www.marforp.ac Commander Kenneth McKenzie, highlighting the immense potential and strength of Marines of all genders.
In the process, we will witness our military force grow more relevant, responsive, and unified in defense of our Republic and all its citizens.
Note:
[19]
"The Times They Are a-Changing: A Brief History of Women in the Marine Corps." History.com, Pearson Education, 2012.
