A Survey of the Status and Utilization of Women in the Army

Abstract : The present investigation grew out of a need to better understand the potential contributions that women might make to the Army manpower system. Women constitute 50% of the general population, and thus potentially could double the Army's source of manpower. This consideration could be extremely important given the present all-volunteer mode, in keen competition with the civilian sector for quality manpower. Due to Army's essential role in national defense, it is crucial that Army not fare poorly in recruitment and retention of quality personnel. Such an eventuality would lead necessarily either to a return to selective service or to reduced combat effectiveness. Thus, primarily as a hedge against this 'devil or deep blue sea' dilemma, it behooves the Army to explore supplemental manpower resources, meaning women.