Women in the Military
In 2011 there were:
214,098 women in active duty.
118,781 in the Reserve.
214,098 women in active duty.
118,781 in the Reserve.
The Kevlar Ceiling
The Kevlar Ceiling is the invisible limitation of upward promotion of females in the Military. Where in a recent study, the Military has the smallest percent of female top leadership with a whopping 11%.
Where with this limitation to incorporate women in the armed forces has created a possible National Security issue. Because, with the current federal laws in regards to female combat roles, it excludes half of the talent pool, for ground combat roles as well as upper level command. Which then correlates to a diminished strategic decision making ability.
In the most recent gender specific data from the Defense Department women make up 19.93 percent of the active duty officer corp, while only composing 6.05 percent of the general grade officers. Which is similar to the public sector trends where women represent a fairly large portion of the lower levels of management, but have a vast under representation in the upper management.
To understand why these proportions decreases so steeply as the officer grade increases, research studies must take place.
So in order to understand the promotional data, the branches of the military that officers of both male and females serve in must be looked into.
Where in 2005 military demographics showed that 37% of women where in health care roles, with 11% in Tactical Combat Roles. And out of the 403 Army Generals only 16 are non tactical operations Commanders. So with the majority of upper level officers being promoted through Tactical Combat Roles, it makes it very difficult for either Female or Male Soldiers in health care to reach upper Command positions.
To understand why these proportions decreases so steeply as the officer grade increases, research studies must take place.
So in order to understand the promotional data, the branches of the military that officers of both male and females serve in must be looked into.
Where in 2005 military demographics showed that 37% of women where in health care roles, with 11% in Tactical Combat Roles. And out of the 403 Army Generals only 16 are non tactical operations Commanders. So with the majority of upper level officers being promoted through Tactical Combat Roles, it makes it very difficult for either Female or Male Soldiers in health care to reach upper Command positions.
However in Today's global Conflicts Women have taken advantage of the opportunity for combat roles.
Where due to the asymmetrical nature of counter insurgent warfare, the difference between the "Front Lines, and "The Rear." Being non existent with the constant threat of attack. Whether in combat, on patrol, or in a supply convoy. Women are seeing and experiencing more combat than ever before.
In Iraq
Where out of necessity the rules are regularly bent, so that women serve in combat roles. Because women are not permitted to serve in units that's objective is direct combat, but are only allowed to serve in support roles. So when boots on the ground are needed women are, "Attached," to combat units while still being "Assigned" as support units. Which has earned women the respect of their brothers in arms on the Battlefield. Which has been a recent major step forward for the roles of women in the Military.
In a study by UC Davis's Graduate School of Management, and the Harvard Business Review found that Fortune 500 companies with higher female management and executives perform better. With some companies performing up to 69% better than those with primarily male executives, which is a productivity gap to wide to ignore. So why should the Army miss out on becoming 69% more efficient. Especially when the country's safety is at risk if the Army fails.
Combat Ban Lifted
Finally on January 24, 2013 Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta lifted the ban of women in combat roles in the military, signifying that the presence of women in the military is here to stay now and into the future.
Where due to the asymmetrical nature of counter insurgent warfare, the difference between the "Front Lines, and "The Rear." Being non existent with the constant threat of attack. Whether in combat, on patrol, or in a supply convoy. Women are seeing and experiencing more combat than ever before.
In Iraq
- 620 Women have been Wounded
- 110 Women have been killed since Hostilities began
- As of June 28th 2011 28 American Women have been killed in Combat
- 1,788 Women have earned Combat Action badges
- 2 Women have earned the Silver Star
- Many others have been awarded Bronze Stars, Purple Hearts, and other awards of Valor
Where out of necessity the rules are regularly bent, so that women serve in combat roles. Because women are not permitted to serve in units that's objective is direct combat, but are only allowed to serve in support roles. So when boots on the ground are needed women are, "Attached," to combat units while still being "Assigned" as support units. Which has earned women the respect of their brothers in arms on the Battlefield. Which has been a recent major step forward for the roles of women in the Military.
In a study by UC Davis's Graduate School of Management, and the Harvard Business Review found that Fortune 500 companies with higher female management and executives perform better. With some companies performing up to 69% better than those with primarily male executives, which is a productivity gap to wide to ignore. So why should the Army miss out on becoming 69% more efficient. Especially when the country's safety is at risk if the Army fails.
Combat Ban Lifted
Finally on January 24, 2013 Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta lifted the ban of women in combat roles in the military, signifying that the presence of women in the military is here to stay now and into the future.