How Many Female Veterans are There?
Demographics and Statistics
Understanding the demographics and statistics surrounding female veterans is crucial to recognizing the significant contributions and sacrifices made by this crucial segment of the armed forces. The United States Armed Forces has a rich history of enlisting and incorporating women into its ranks since the late 19th century.
Early Representation
As early as 1908, a Marine Corps Signal Corps expedition deployed to Mexico included four Army nurses. In 1909, the Coast Guard appointed the first woman cadet, Emily P. Humphrey, to serve alongside male recruits. This precedent-setting action paved the way for Women in Aviation‘s participation during World War I. At the dawn of the Second World War, in 1941, 20,000 women enlisted, serving primarily in medical support roles. By 1967, 120,000 women served with the US Military.
Increase in Numbers
Following a 1948 directive restricting women to non-combat roles, the United States military reintegrated women more comprehensively during the post-Vietnam War period. This shift coincided with an increase in career opportunities, double careerist marriages, and education. Women’s numbers remained relatively stable through the 1960s and 1970s, yet post-Cold War efforts enhanced integration by eliminating restrictions, expanding service role opportunities, and mandating women’s physical strength testing.
Contemporary Statistics
In 2016, an estimated 230,000 women served active duty, accounting for around 2.4 million or 8% of the 6.7 million American servicemembers. A decade earlier, in 2006, this percentage of female soldiers stood at a mere 1.9%. With significant strides taken towards more egalitarian representations, contemporary shifts include: fearless warrior ethos resonating more with contemporary recruitment, increasing cyber warfare, intelligence, and technical specialties, together with rising health disparities (Table 1).
| Characteristics | Men (N=5.35 million) | Women (N=235,000) |
|---|---|---|
| Median Age | 27 years | 28 years |
| Median Pay | $35,000 per month | $22,000 per month |
| Health Status: PTSD | 17% | 18.4% |
| Health Status: Depression | 24.1% | 32.5% |
| Health Status: Injures/Diseases | 28.8% | 39.1% |
| Educational Level: College graduate | 35% | 43% |
Key Observations
In 2021, there are more women serving active duty in the Navy than men. Similarly, more than 75% of today’s US Military students will be female. Despite initial barriers and restrictions, recent decades have witnessed tremendous changes, from the prohibition of exclusionary physical examinations in 1965 to today’s acceptance as a result of legislation allowing co-ed barracks, flight crews, and boot camps.
Criticisms and Solutions
Critiques surrounding representation also encompass lingering disparities. Current and previous issues concern areas such as:
• Sexual harassment
• Inadequate pay and benefits
• Lack of child and family services
• Unjustified discrimination for non-military positions, like jobs in national research and academic institutions
• Overrepresentation of wounded female soldiers in disability benefit programs
• Discriminatory military rank advancement systems
Recommendations to further address and minimize these drawbacks include: integrating more females into command ranks, enforcing strict ant harassment policies, providing resources addressing sex-based stereotyping, reintegrating family life, and optimizing career and benefits paths within the military as well as post-discharge transitions.
Unwavering Contributions and Valor
To recognize and cherish the valor and sacrifice rendered by the 225,000 American female veterans and honor their tireless dedication to national defense. United States Government statistical records highlight 130 female Medal of Honor recipients, over 10% of Medal awardees worldwide since World War I, showcasing these women’s innumerable contributions in maintaining the stability and progress.
Empowering Representation Today and Beyond
Faster progress for female representation among veterans remains crucial to reflect the evolution of roles they now perform. Women hold 53% of executive, legislative, and general management positions in government civilian agencies; 53.5% of students receive bachelor’s degrees from private non-profit colleges. Thus, this shift within educational and organizational frameworks translates in part into a shift on the military front as a more level playing field presents itself, paving the groundwork for female veterans and enlistees.
