An Analysis of Female Representation and Marines Performance in Aviation and Logistics Occupations

Abstract : This report is in support of the Marine Corps Force Innovation Office, which is charged with implementing the Marine Corps Force Integration Plan to integrate ground combat occupations and units. We examine female representation and performance in aviation (60XX75XX) and logistics (04XX) primary military occupational specialties (PMOSs) since FY 1987. Female representation, as a percentage, has increased in these occfields over the past three decades, but women tend to leave the Marine Corps at higher rates than men. We also find, however, that female officers are selected for promotion at the same rates as male officers and that enlisted women are promoted faster than enlisted men. Our findings suggest that women who entered previously closed PMOSs have performed comparably to men and that separation rates differ by occupation suggesting the need to factor in PMOS specific trends into manpower plans and to learn more about factors motivating separation decisions.