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Do not fill this in! ==Personnel== [[File:New York City am 20.4.2014 8.jpg|thumb|U.S. Armed Forces recruiting station at Times Square, New York City]] [[File:Active duty military personnel.webp|thumb|Active duty military personnel numbers<br /> {{color box|orange}} [[United States Air Force|Air Force]] and [[United States Space Force|Space Force]]<br /> {{color box|gray}} [[United States Marine Corps|Marine Corps]] <br /> {{color box|#7FFF00}} [[United States Navy|Navy]] <br /> {{color box|#1DACD6}} [[United States Army|Army]] ]] The U.S. Armed Forces is the [[List of countries by number of active troops|world's third largest]] military by active personnel, after the Chinese's [[People's Liberation Army]] and the [[Indian Armed Forces]], consisting of 1,359,685 servicemembers in the regular armed forces with an additional 799,845 servicemembers in the reserves as of 28 February 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/appj/dwp/dwp_reports.jsp|title=DoD Personnel, Workforce Reports & Publications|website=dmdc.osd.mil|publisher=Defence Manpower Data Centre|access-date=7 May 2019|archive-date=10 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170310233433/https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/appj/dwp/dwp_reports.jsp|url-status=dead}}</ref> While the United States Armed Forces is an all-volunteer military, conscription through the [[Selective Service System]] can be enacted at the president's request and Congress' approval, with all males ages 18 through 25 who are living in the United States are required to register with the Selective Service.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sss.gov/About/Quick-Facts-and-Figures|title=Quick Facts and Figures|website=Sss.gov|access-date=17 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612141339/https://www.sss.gov/About/Quick-Facts-and-Figures|archive-date=12 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Although the constitutionality of registering only males for Selective Service was [[National Coalition for Men v. Selective Service System|challenged by federal district court]] in 2019, its legality was upheld by a federal appeals court in 2020.<ref name="McGill">{{cite web|url=https://apnews.com/6240679fed466f36679b7492d015cf0c|title=Federal appeals court: Male-only draft is constitutional|last=McGill|first=Kevin|website=[[Associated Press]]|date=13 August 2020|access-date=13 September 2020}}</ref> As in most militaries, members of the U.S. Armed Forces hold a rank, either that of [[Officer (armed forces)|officer]], [[Warrant Officer (United States)|warrant officer]] or [[Enlisted rank|enlisted]], to determine seniority and eligibility for promotion. Those who have served are known as [[Veteran#United States|veterans]]. Rank names may be different between services, but they are matched to each other by their corresponding [[U.S. uniformed services pay grades|paygrade]].<ref>For example, a [[Lieutenant general (United States)|lieutenant general]] in the Air Force is equivalent to a [[Vice admiral (United States)|vice admiral]] in that Navy since they both carry a paygrade of O-9.</ref> Officers who hold the same rank or paygrade are distinguished by their date of rank to determine seniority, while officers who serve in certain positions of office of importance set by law, outrank all other officers in active duty of the same rank and paygrade, regardless of their date of rank.<ref name="senior officers">{{cite web |url=http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/131001p.pdf |title=Department of Defence Instruction 1310.01: Rank and Seniority of Commissioned Officers |date=6 May 2006 |publisher=[[United States Department of Defense]] |access-date=9 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111026035949/http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/131001p.pdf |archive-date=26 October 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> ===Personnel by service=== <!-- PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE THE ORDER OF PRECEDENCE HERE OR ELSEWHERE IN THE ARTICLE. --> Total number of authorized personnel in FY23.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 2023 |title=United States Department of Defense Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Request |url=https://comptroller.defense.gov/Portals/45/Documents/defbudget/FY2024/FY2024_Budget_Request.pdf |access-date=8 August 2023 |website=Office of the Under Secretary of Defense}}</ref> <!-- PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE THE ORDER OF PRECEDENCE HERE. --> {|class="wikitable" style="text-align: right; margin: 1em auto;" |- style="text-align: left; background:white; color:black" |'''Component''' || '''Total''' || '''Active''' || '''Reserve''' || '''National Guard''' |- |style="text-align: left"| {{Army|United States|name=U.S. Army|Size=25px}} || {{decrease}} '''954,000''' || {{decrease}} 452,000 || {{increase}} 177,000 || {{decrease}} 325,000 |- | style="text-align: left" | {{Marines|United States|name=U.S. Marine Corps|size=23px}} || {{increase}} '''210,000''' || {{increase}} 177,000 || {{increase}} 33,000 |- | style="text-align: left" | {{Navy|United States|name=U.S. Navy|size=25px}} || {{increase}} '''411,000''' || {{increase}} 354,000 || {{increase}} 57,000 |- |style="text-align: left"| {{Air force|United States|name=U.S. Air Force|size=25px}} || {{increase}} '''503,744''' || {{increase}} 325,344 || {{increase}} 70,000 || {{increase}} 108,400 |- |style="text-align: left"| {{Space force|United States|name=U.S. Space Force|size=25px}} || {{increase}} '''8,600''' || {{increase}} 8,600 |- |style="text-align: left"| {{Flag|United States Coast Guard|name=U.S. Coast Guard|size=25px}} || '''49,500''' || 41,700 || 7,800 |- style="background:lavender; color:black" ||| '''2,136,844''' || 1,358,644 || 344,800 || 433,400 |} ===Rank structure=== Rank in the United States Armed Forces is split into three distinct categories: [[Officer (armed forces)|officers]], [[Warrant officer (United States)|warrant officers]], and [[Enlisted rank|enlisted]] personnel. Officers are the leadership of the military, holding commissions from the president of the United States and confirmed to their rank by the [[United States Senate|Senate]]. Warrant officers hold a warrant from the secretaries of the military departments, serving as specialist in certain military technologies and capabilities. Upon promotion to chief warrant officer 2, they gain a commission from the president of the United States. Enlisted personnel constitute the majority of the armed forces, serving as specialists and tactical-level leaders until they become senior non-commissioned officers or senior petty officers. Military ranks across the services can be compared by U.S. Uniformed Services pay grade or NATO rank code.<ref name="ReferenceC">{{cite web|url=https://www.defense.gov/Our-Story/Insignias/|title=U.S. Military Rank Insignia|website=U.S. Department of Defense}}</ref> ====Officer corps==== <div style="width:100%; overflow:auto"> {| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin:0 12px 12px 0;" {{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Armed Forces/OF/Blank}} {{United States uniformed services pay grades/officer/blank}} {{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Armies/OF/United States}} {{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Navies/OF/United States (USMC)}} {{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Navies/OF/United States}} {{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Air Forces/OF/United States}} {{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Air Forces/OF/United States (USSF)}} {{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Navies/OF/United States (USCG)}} {{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Armed Forces/OF/Blank}} {{United States uniformed services pay grades/officer/blank}} |} </div> Officers represent the top 18% of the armed forces, serving in leadership and command roles.<ref name="bls.gov">{{cite web|url=https://www.bls.gov/ooh/military/military-careers.htm#:~:text=Enlisted+personnel+make+up+about,manage+operations+and+enlisted+personnel|title=Military Careers : Occupational Outlook Handbook: : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics|website=www.bls.gov}}</ref> Officers are divided into three categories:<ref name="ReferenceC"/> *O-1 to O-3: [[Company grade officers]] in the Army, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Space Force or [[junior officers]] in the Navy and the Coast Guard. *O-4 to O-6: [[Field grade officers]] in the Army, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Space Force or [[mid-grade officers]] in the Navy and Coast Guard. *O-7 to O-10: [[General officers]] in the Army, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Space Force or [[flag officers]] in the Navy and Coast Guard. Officers are typically commissioned as second lieutenants or ensigns with a bachelor's degree after several years of training and education or [[Direct commission officer|directly commissioning]] from civilian life into a specific specialty, such as a medical professional, lawyer, chaplain, or cyber specialist.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.todaysmilitary.com/joining-eligibility/becoming-military-officer|title=Becoming an Officer β Today's Military|website=www.todaysmilitary.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2020/08/17/direct-commissions-for-army-cyber-officers-finally-gaining-steam-two-star-says/|title=Direct commissions for Army cyber officers finally gaining steam, two-star says|first=Kyle|last=Rempfer|date=17 August 2020|website=Army Times}}</ref> {{Gallery |width=200 |File:President Trump at the U.S. Military Academy Graduation (50009349552).jpg|The [[United States Military Academy]] commissions officers into the [[United States Army]]. |File:DSC 7108 (37186744105).jpg|The [[United States Naval Academy]] commissions officers into the [[United States Marine Corps]] and [[United States Navy]]. |File:SpaceForceCadets_USAFA2020.jpg|The [[United States Air Force Academy]] commissions officers into the [[United States Air Force]] and [[United States Space Force]]. |POTUS attends Coast Guard Academy Commencement 170517-G-ZX620-009.jpg|The [[United States Coast Guard Academy]] commissions officers into the [[United States Coast Guard]]. }} Officers are commissioned through the [[United States service academies]], [[Reserve Officer Training Corps]] programs, and the [[Officer Candidate School|Officer Candidate]] and [[Officer Training School]]s. During a time of war, officers may be promoted to [[five-star rank]]s, with [[general of the Army (United States)|general of the Army]], [[fleet admiral (United States)|fleet admiral]], and [[general of the Air Force]] the only five-star ranks currently authorized.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wearethemighty.com/mighty-history/these-are-the-9-five-star-general/|title=These are the 9 general officers who have earned five stars|date=28 January 2019}}</ref> ====Warrant officer corps==== <div style="width:100%; overflow:auto"> {| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin:0 12px 12px 0;" {{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Armies/WO/Blank}} {{United States uniformed services pay grades/warrant officer/blank}} {{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Armies/WO/United States}} {{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Navies/WO/United States (USMC)}} {{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Navies/WO/United States}} {{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Air Forces/WO/United States}} {{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Navies/WO/United States (USCG)}} {{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Armies/WO/Blank}} {{United States uniformed services pay grades/warrant officer/blank}} |} </div> [[Warrant officer (United States)|Warrant officers]] are specialists, accounting for only 8% of the officer corps.<ref name="bls.gov"/> Warrant officers hold warrants from their service secretary and are specialists and experts in certain military technologies or capabilities. The lowest-ranking warrant officers serve under a warrant, but they receive commissions from the president upon promotion to chief warrant officer 2. They derive their authority from the same source as commissioned officers but remain specialists, in contrast to commissioned officers, who are generalists. There are no warrant officers in the Air Force or Space Force.<ref name="ReferenceC"/> Warrant officers are typically non-commissioned officers before being selected, with the exception of the Army Aviation where any enlisted grade can apply for a warrant. Army Warrant officers attend the [[Warrant Officer Candidate School (United States Army)|Army Warrant Officer Candidate School]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/current-and-prior-service/advance-your-career/warrant-officer.html|title=What is a Warrant Officer?|website=goarmy.com}}</ref> ====Enlisted corps==== <div style="width:100%; overflow:auto"> {| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin:0 12px 12px 0;" {{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Armies/OR/Blank}} {{United States uniformed services pay grades/enlisted/blank (no special grade)}} {{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Armies/OR/United States}} {{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Navies/OR/United States (USMC)}} {{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Navies/OR/United States}} {{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Air Forces/OR/United States}} {{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Air Forces/OR/United States (USSF)}} {{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Navies/OR/United States (USCG)}} {{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Armies/OR/Blank}} {{United States uniformed services pay grades/enlisted/blank (no special grade)}} |} </div> [[File:Air Force Basic Training Field.jpg|thumb|upright|Air Force basic trainees in a base defense exercise at [[United States Air Force Basic Military Training|Air Force Basic Military Training]]]] Enlisted personnel consists of 82% of the armed forces, serving as specialists and tactical leaders.<ref name="bls.gov" /> Enlisted personnel are divided into three categories: * E-1 to E-3/4: Junior enlisted personnel are usually in initial training or at their first assignment. E-1 to E-3 in the Marine Corps, Navy, and Coast Guard, and E-1 to E-4 in the Army, Air Force, and Space Force. In the Army, specialist (E-4) are considered to be junior enlisted, while corporals (E-4) are non-commissioned officers. * E-4/5 to E-6: [[Non-commissioned officers]] in the Army, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Space Force and [[petty officers]] in the Navy and Coast Guard. In the Air Force and Space Force, E-5 is the first non-commissioned officer rank. Non-commissioned officers and petty officers are responsible for tactical leadership. * E-7 to E-9: [[Senior non-commissioned officers]] in the Army, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Space Force and [[chief petty officers]] in the Navy and Coast Guard. Serve as senior enlisted advisors to officers. The rank of [[senior enlisted advisor]] is the highest rank in each service, serving as the primary advisors to their service secretary and service chief on enlisted matters. Prior to entering their service, enlisted personnel must complete their service's [[Recruit training|basic training]]. In the Army, after completing [[United States Army Basic Training|Basic Combat Training]] recruits then go to [[advanced individual training]] for their [[United States military occupation code|military occupational specialty]]. In the Marine Corps, after completing [[United States Marine Corps Recruit Training|Recruit Training]], marines attend the [[United States Marine Corps School of Infantry|School of Infantry]], going to the Infantry Training Battalion for infantry marines, with non-infantry marines completing Marine Combat Training before advancing to technical training for their [[List of United States Marine Corps MOS|military occupational specialty]]. In the Navy, after completing [[Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Illinois|Recruit Training]], sailors advance to their "A" schools to complete training for their [[List of United States Navy ratings|rating]]. In the Air Force and Space Force, recruits complete combined [[Air Force Basic Military Training|Basic Military Training]] before going to technical training for their [[Air Force Specialty Code]]s. In the Coast Guard, after completing [[United States Coast Guard Training Center Cape May|Recruit Training]], sailors advance to their "A" schools to complete training for their [[List of United States Coast Guard ratings|rating]]. ===Women in the armed forces=== [[File:Beyond Firsts - Powering the Future Force 230306-D-KY598-1076.jpg|thumb|The existing four-star women in the United States Armed Forces in March 2023 during [[Women's History Month]]. From left to right: Admiral [[Linda L. Fagan]], General [[Jacqueline Van Ovost]], General [[Laura J. Richardson]] and Admiral [[Lisa Franchetti]]]] [[File:Defense.gov News Photo 100806-M-0301S-111 - U.S. Marine Cpl. Mary E. Walls right an ammunition technician and linguist Sahar both with a female engagement team patrol with 1st Battalion.jpg|thumb|Two female Marines of the [[2nd Marine Regiment]] patrolling in Afghanistan]] All branches of the U.S. military enlisted women during World War II. The [[Women's Army Corps|Woman's Army Auxiliary Corps]] was established by the Army in 1942. Also formed during this time were the Women's Airforce Service Pilots ([[Women Airforce Service Pilots|WASP]]s), the Navy's Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Services ([[WAVES]]), the Marine Corps Women's Reserve, and the Coast Guard Women's Reserve ([[SPARS]]).<ref>{{cite web |last=DeSimone |first=Danielle |date=1 March 2022 |title=Over 200 Years of Service: The History of Women in the U.S. Military |url=https://www.uso.org/stories/3005-over-200-years-of-service-the-history-of-women-in-the-us-military |access-date=7 March 2022 |website=USO}}</ref> Women saw combat during World War II, first as nurses in the [[Pearl Harbor]] attacks on 7 December 1941. In 1944, [[Women's Army Corps|WAC]]s arrived in the Pacific and in Normandy. During the war, 67 Army nurses and 16 [[United States Navy Nurse Corps|Navy nurses]] were captured and spent three years as Japanese prisoners of war. There were 350,000 American women who served during World War II, and 16 were killed on duty. In total, they gained over 1,500 medals, citations, and commendations. After World War II, demobilization led to the vast majority of serving women being returned to civilian life. Law 625, [[Women's Armed Services Integration Act|The Women's Armed Services Act]] of 1948, was signed by President [[Harry S. Truman]], allowing women to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces in fully integrated units during peace time, with only the WAC remaining a separate female unit. During the [[Korean War]] of 1950β1953, many women served in the [[Mobile Army Surgical Hospital]]s. During the [[Vietnam War]], 600 women served in the country as part of the Air Force, along with 500 members of the WAC and over 6,000 medical personnel and support staff. The [[United States Army Ordnance Corps|Ordnance Corps]] began accepting female missile technicians in 1974<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.redstone.army.mil/history/women_chron/chron1970s.html |title=The Women of Redstone Arsenal |publisher=United States Army |access-date=6 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080620074416/http://www.redstone.army.mil/history/women_chron/chron1970s.html |archive-date=20 June 2008}}</ref> and female crewmembers and officers were accepted into [[Field Artillery Branch (United States)|Field Artillery]] missile units.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Busse |first=Charlane |date=July 1978 |title=First women join Pershing training |journal=[[Field Artillery (magazine)|Field Artillery Journal]] |publisher=[[United States Army Field Artillery School]] |page=40 |url=http://sill-www.army.mil/famag/1978/JUL_AUG_1978/JUL_AUG_1978_PAGES_40_43.pdf |access-date=5 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110518064322/http://sill-www.army.mil/FAMAG/1978/JUL_AUG_1978/JUL_AUG_1978_PAGES_40_43.pdf |archive-date=18 May 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |date=November 1978 |title=The Journal interviews: 1LT Elizabeth A. Tourville |journal=Field Artillery Journal |publisher=United States Army Field Artillery School |pages=40β43 |url=http://sill-www.army.mil/FAMAG/1978/JUL_AUG_1978/JUL_AUG_1978_PAGES_40_43.pdf |access-date=5 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110518064322/http://sill-www.army.mil/FAMAG/1978/JUL_AUG_1978/JUL_AUG_1978_PAGES_40_43.pdf |archive-date=18 May 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref> In 1974, the first six women naval aviators earned their wings as Navy pilots. The congressionally mandated prohibition on women in combat places limitations on the pilots' advancement,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1356&dat=19840823&id=kdgTAAAAIBAJ&pg=6981,4703933|title=Ocala Star-Banner β Google News Archive Search|website=News.google.com|access-date=18 October 2017}}{{Dead link|date=December 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> but at least two retired as captains.<ref>{{cite magazine |editor=E. Blake Towler |date=MayβJune 1996 |url=http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1990s/1997/mj97/ppp.pdf |title=PEOPLE β’ PLANES β’ PLACES |magazine=Naval Aviation News |pages=40β44 |access-date=23 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025062715/http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1990s/1997/mj97/ppp.pdf |archive-date=25 October 2012}}</ref> The 1991 [[Gulf War]] proved to be the pivotal time for the role of women in the U.S. Armed Forces to come to the attention of the world media; there are many reports of women engaging enemy forces during the conflict.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://userpages.aug.com/captbarb/femvetsds.html|title=American Women in Uniform, Desert Storm|website=Userpages.aug.com|access-date=17 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171011214115/http://userpages.aug.com/captbarb/femvetsds.html|archive-date=11 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1991, women were permitted to fly military aircraft. Since 1994, women can serve on U.S. combat ships.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Twenty-five Years of Women Aboard Combat Vessels |url=https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/nhhc/browse-by-topic/diversity/women-in-the-navy/women-in-combat.html |access-date=2022-12-23 |website=Naval History and Heritage Command }}</ref> In 2010, the ban on women serving on submarines was lifted.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/apr/29/us-navy-submarines-women|title=US Navy Lifts Ban on Women Submariners|date=29 April 2010|newspaper=The Guardian|agency=Associated Press|issn=0261-3077|access-date=23 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161223141252/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/apr/29/us-navy-submarines-women|archive-date=23 December 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> [[File:US Female F-16 Fighter Pilot Capt Brittany Trimble steps from her jet prior to VIGILANT ACE 18 at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea-4004018.jpg|thumb|A female U.S. Air Force fighter pilot at [[Osan Air Base]] in South Korea]] On 3 December 2015, U.S. defense secretary Ashton Carter announced that all military combat positions would become available to women.<ref>{{cite news|url = http://www.military.com/daily-news/2015/12/03/carter-telling-military-open-all-combat-jobs-women.html|title = Carter Telling Military to Open all Combat Jobs to Women|access-date = 5 December 2015|website = Military.com|agency = Associated Press|last = Baldor|first = Lolita|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151205183958/http://www.military.com/daily-news/2015/12/03/carter-telling-military-open-all-combat-jobs-women.html|archive-date = 5 December 2015|url-status = live}}</ref> This gave women access to the roughly 10% of military jobs which were previously closed off due to their combat nature.<ref>{{cite news|date=3 December 2015|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2015/12/03/pentagon-chief-to-announce-how-womens-roles-in-the-military-will-expand/|access-date=8 December 2015|title=In historic decision, Pentagon chief opens all jobs in combat units to women|last=Lamothe|first=Dan|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208030421/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2015/12/03/pentagon-chief-to-announce-how-womens-roles-in-the-military-will-expand/|archive-date=8 December 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> These restrictions were due in part to studies which stated that mixed gender units are less capable in combat.<ref name=":1">{{cite web|url = http://www.militarytimes.com/story/military/pentagon/2015/12/03/carter-telling-military-open-all-combat-jobs-women/76720656/|work = Military Times|date = 3 December 2015|access-date = 8 December 2015|title = All combat jobs open to women in the military|last = Tilghman|first = Andrew|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151207022554/http://www.militarytimes.com/story/military/pentagon/2015/12/03/carter-telling-military-open-all-combat-jobs-women/76720656/|archive-date = 7 December 2015|url-status = live}}</ref> The decision gave military services time until January 2016 to provide plans on how they will enforce the policy change.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url = http://www.blackenterprise.com/career/breaking-barriers-military-opens-combat-jobs-women/|work = Black Enterprise|date = 7 December 2015|access-date = 8 December 2015|title = Breaking Barriers: U.S. Military Opens up Combat Jobs to Women|last = Connley|first = Courtney|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151208193418/http://www.blackenterprise.com/career/breaking-barriers-military-opens-combat-jobs-women/|archive-date = 8 December 2015|url-status = live}}</ref> Many women believe this will allow for them to improve their positions in the military, since most high-ranking officers start in combat positions. Since women are now available to work in any position in the military, female entry into [[Conscription in the United States|the draft]] has been proposed.<ref>{{cite magazine|url = http://time.com/4137854/military-women-draft/|magazine = TIME|date = 7 December 2015|title = Now Women Should Register For The Draft|access-date = 17 October 2017|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171103082024/http://time.com/4137854/military-women-draft/|archive-date = 3 November 2017|url-status = live}}</ref> No woman has ever become a [[United States Navy SEALs|Navy SEAL]].<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Tritten|first=Travis J.|date=10 August 2017|title=Candidate to be first female Navy SEAL officer quits after a week|url=http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/candidate-to-be-first-female-navy-seal-officer-quits-after-a-week-report/article/2631205|magazine=[[The Washington Examiner]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Watson|first=Julie|title=Navy: Only woman in SEAL training pipeline drops out|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/nation-world/ct-navy-seal-training-woman-quits-20170811-story.html|access-date=23 October 2020|website=chicagotribune.com|date=11 August 2017 }}</ref> However, in July 2021, the first woman graduated from the Naval Special Warfare (NSW) training program to become a Special Warfare Combatant craft Crewman (SWCC). The SWCC directly supports the SEALs and other commando units, and are experts in covert insertion and extraction special operation tactics.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Ives|first=Mike|date=16 July 2021|title=First Woman Completes Training for Elite U.S. Navy Program |work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/16/us/navy-woman-warfare-program.html|access-date=24 January 2022|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Naval Special Warfare Welcomes CQT Class 115; First Woman Operator|url=https://www.dvidshub.net/news/400990/naval-special-warfare-welcomes-cqt-class-115-first-woman-operator|access-date=24 January 2022|website=DVIDS }}</ref> Despite concerns of a gender gap, all personnel, both men and women, at the same rank and time of service are compensated the same rate across all branches.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://militarybenefits.info/2017-military-pay-charts/|title=2018 Pay Chart|date=1 January 2018|access-date=25 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180426075650/https://militarybenefits.info/2017-military-pay-charts/|archive-date=26 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> On 1 June 2022, ADM [[Linda L. Fagan]] assumed command of the [[United States Coast Guard|U.S. Coast Guard]] thus becoming the not only the first woman to serve as [[Commandant of the Coast Guard|Commandant]] of the Coast Guard but also the first woman in American history to serve as a service chief in the U.S. Military.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sonmez |first=Felicia |date=1 June 2022 |title=Adm. Linda Fagan becomes first woman to lead U.S. Coast Guard |newspaper=[[Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/06/01/adm-linda-fagan-becomes-first-woman-lead-us-coast-guard/ |access-date=2 June 2022}}</ref> A study conducted by the [[RAND Corporation]] also suggests that women who make the military their career see an improved rate of promotion, as they climb through the military ranks at a faster rate.<ref>{{Cite report |date=2012 |last1=Asch|first1=Beth J.|last2=Miller|first2=Trey|last3=Malchiodi|first3=Alessandro |title=Significant Gender- and Race/Ethnicity-Based Differences Exist in Rates of Promotion and Retention Among Officers |url=https://www.rand.org/pubs/technical_reports/TR1159.html|access-date=1 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180420224144/https://www.rand.org/pubs/technical_reports/TR1159.html |archive-date=20 April 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> As per the DoD's report on [[sexual assault]] within the U.S. Army for the fiscal year of 2019, 7,825 cases of sexual assault had been reported with the service members either victims or subjects of the assault. There has been a 3% increase in the number of cases as compared to the 2018 report.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.military.com/daily-news/2020/04/30/sexual-assault-reports-harassment-complaints-rise-us-military.html|title=Sexual Assault Reports, Harassment Complaints Rise in US Military|access-date=30 April 2020|website=Military.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.defense.gov/Explore/News/Article/Article/2172056/defense-officials-tout-progress-in-fight-against-sexual-assault/|title= Defense Officials Tout Progress in Fight Against Sexual Assault|access-date=30 April 2020|website=U.S. Department of Defense}}</ref> As of 2021, there are 231,741 women in the military, representing 17.3% of the total active duty force. Since 2017, the percentage of women in active duty service has increased by 1.1%.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 14, 2022 |title=Department of Defense Releases Annual Demographics Report β Upward Trend in Number of Women |url=https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3246268/department-of-defense-releases-annual-demographics-report-upward-trend-in-numbe/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230519033621/https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3246268/department-of-defense-releases-annual-demographics-report-upward-trend-in-numbe/ |archive-date=May 19, 2023 |access-date=May 23, 2023 |website=U.S. Department of Defense}}</ref> Summary: Please note that all contributions to Christianpedia may be edited, altered, or removed by other contributors. If you do not want your writing to be edited mercilessly, then do not submit it here. 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