Respectfully asking for input from those who have personal insight about the environment in the United States Marine Corps for female enlistees. Asking as the father of a daughter strongly considering that path after college graduation. Thanks and thanks for your service.
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USMC for females
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Last: 4 yr ago by mattyd383
Is OCS not an option?
As a retired 2nd generation Marine "Mustang" Officer, with 3rd and 4th generation now serving in the USMC, here's my recommendation (with no further comments).
1. USAF
2. USArmy
3. USN
4. USMC
1. USAF
2. USArmy
3. USN
4. USMC
With all due respect, you left the USCG off the list (which from a QOL for everyone perspective, I've heard is comparable to the USAF).
He also forgot the USSF.
I was not a Marine but, I had these at the ready from a conversation I was having a few days ago with a Marine friend of mine about the demographics of military service.
2018 Demographics of the US Military shows that the entire Military 17.7% Officers and is 16.5% Female.
https://download.militaryonesource.mil/12038/MOS/Infographic/2018-demographics-active-duty-members.pdf
Infographic from the same time period shows that the USMC is only 11.5% Officers and is 8.6% Female.
https://download.militaryonesource.mil/12038/MOS/Infographic/2018-demographics-active-duty-marine-corps-members.pdf
By comparison, the USAF is 19.5% Officers and 20.2% Female.
https://download.militaryonesource.mil/12038/MOS/Infographic/2018-demographics-active-duty-air-force-members.pdf
Or maybe more to the point, there are only 1,656 Female USMC Officers in total.
Figure 2.12 on Page 19 (PDF page 47)
https://download.militaryonesource.mil/12038/MOS/Reports/2018-demographics-report.pdf
2018 Demographics of the US Military shows that the entire Military 17.7% Officers and is 16.5% Female.
https://download.militaryonesource.mil/12038/MOS/Infographic/2018-demographics-active-duty-members.pdf
Infographic from the same time period shows that the USMC is only 11.5% Officers and is 8.6% Female.
https://download.militaryonesource.mil/12038/MOS/Infographic/2018-demographics-active-duty-marine-corps-members.pdf
By comparison, the USAF is 19.5% Officers and 20.2% Female.
https://download.militaryonesource.mil/12038/MOS/Infographic/2018-demographics-active-duty-air-force-members.pdf
Or maybe more to the point, there are only 1,656 Female USMC Officers in total.
Figure 2.12 on Page 19 (PDF page 47)
https://download.militaryonesource.mil/12038/MOS/Reports/2018-demographics-report.pdf
This is very helpful and very insightful. Thanks for your quick replies; additional input always welcome.
Thanks.
Thanks.
Not a Marine but I know a few and happen to have been in on a similar conversation about daughters joining the military not long ago.
What does she want to do in the Marine Corps? If she wants to be in the Infantry or anything combat arms related she will have a dramatically different experience than if she joins the wing and does an air craft maintenance MOS.
What does she want to do in the Marine Corps? If she wants to be in the Infantry or anything combat arms related she will have a dramatically different experience than if she joins the wing and does an air craft maintenance MOS.
Texas A&M - 148 years of tradition, unimpeded by progress.
Retired Marine here.
There is only one reason to seek a commission or enlistment in our Corps, and that is this: you wish to be a Marine, with all of the sacrifices that go with earning the title. The other services are good places to be. I believe our Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard rank with the world's best.
When you earn the title Marine, it is yours to keep for life, hence the phrase "Once a Marine, always a Marine". And most Marines take this to heart, whether they serve one tour or make it a career. If you need proof of this, take an unofficial poll of military service window stickers on cars... those little round USMC emblems are far more ubiquitous than any other service emblem.
My son has made the Air Force a career, and has done very well. Couldn't be prouder of him. It was a good choice for him. His best tours, though, were in special operations communities that had esprit de Corps lacking in the "big Air Force". The Marine Corps has long fought special unit patches (at least since WWII) because we believe being wearing the eagle, globe, and anchor is enough. Compare our OCS and our boot camp experiences to our sister services. We collect our dues up front.
Would I recommend the USMC to a female? Yup... if she's willing to earn the title. Same thing I'd tell a male applicant.
There is only one reason to seek a commission or enlistment in our Corps, and that is this: you wish to be a Marine, with all of the sacrifices that go with earning the title. The other services are good places to be. I believe our Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard rank with the world's best.
When you earn the title Marine, it is yours to keep for life, hence the phrase "Once a Marine, always a Marine". And most Marines take this to heart, whether they serve one tour or make it a career. If you need proof of this, take an unofficial poll of military service window stickers on cars... those little round USMC emblems are far more ubiquitous than any other service emblem.
My son has made the Air Force a career, and has done very well. Couldn't be prouder of him. It was a good choice for him. His best tours, though, were in special operations communities that had esprit de Corps lacking in the "big Air Force". The Marine Corps has long fought special unit patches (at least since WWII) because we believe being wearing the eagle, globe, and anchor is enough. Compare our OCS and our boot camp experiences to our sister services. We collect our dues up front.
Would I recommend the USMC to a female? Yup... if she's willing to earn the title. Same thing I'd tell a male applicant.
For the Coast Guard you need to be at least 6 feet tall to enter.
Can only speak for the Air Force (retired) but I would have zero reservation about my daughter (if I had one) serving in the Air Force either as an officer or enlisted.
Can only speak for the Air Force (retired) but I would have zero reservation about my daughter (if I had one) serving in the Air Force either as an officer or enlisted.
I'm an active duty Marine officer. I have two daughters and I wouldn't want them to ever join the military. But if they absolutely wanted to, I would recommend the Marine Corps dead last.
Please explain this one to me - an inside joke, perhaps?Quote:
For the Coast Guard you need to be at least 6 feet tall to enter.
I first encountered working the the Coast Guard at various Alaska locations. Nothing but the highest level of respect for those brave men and women.
Yes, so that if their ship gets destroyed they can walk to shore. And yeah, nothing but respect to all my fellow service members.
Thanks. Pretty funny.
Been in 11 years.
Be a cold day in hell before I would want my daughter to join the Marines.
Be a cold day in hell before I would want my daughter to join the Marines.
To the OP, why wouldn't she want to commission into whatever branch she would enter?
I did the opposite. Enlisted Army first, then came back and got my degree at A&M. I would probably not recommend enlisting out of college. She would only come in as an E-4 (Specialist) in the Army and probably lower than that in the Marines.
As for the gender part, I went to high school with a girl who was maybe 5'1" and 95# soaking wet. She went on to the Naval Academy and commissioned into the USMC. I believe she is a major now. Very bright and very dedicated.
I did the opposite. Enlisted Army first, then came back and got my degree at A&M. I would probably not recommend enlisting out of college. She would only come in as an E-4 (Specialist) in the Army and probably lower than that in the Marines.
As for the gender part, I went to high school with a girl who was maybe 5'1" and 95# soaking wet. She went on to the Naval Academy and commissioned into the USMC. I believe she is a major now. Very bright and very dedicated.
I would recommend the Marines last, you go there purely to be a Marine. You don't choose a job like other branches you serve at the needs of the Corps before anything else.
I say this as someone who has my MOS preferences ripped up in front of me and re-assigned in Boot Camp (wasn't a turd), then had my unit orders ripped up in front of me and was re-assigned from west coast to east coast (was 2nd in my class). That said, I loved my time in the Corps and the units I was with, and wouldn't change it for the world. Definitely miss it but enjoy what I'm doing now instead.
I say this as someone who has my MOS preferences ripped up in front of me and re-assigned in Boot Camp (wasn't a turd), then had my unit orders ripped up in front of me and was re-assigned from west coast to east coast (was 2nd in my class). That said, I loved my time in the Corps and the units I was with, and wouldn't change it for the world. Definitely miss it but enjoy what I'm doing now instead.
Career Army Officer here but son of a Marine and grandson of a Marine SGM (4th Marines WW2 POW Corregidor survivor)
Don't have a daughter (yet) but from what I have seen in my career and Joint time would agree for my daughter
#1 USAF
#2 USN
#3 Army
#4 USMC
Don't have a daughter (yet) but from what I have seen in my career and Joint time would agree for my daughter
#1 USAF
#2 USN
#3 Army
#4 USMC
User name checks out.TheCougarHunter said:
Been in 11 years.
Be a cold day in hell before I would want my daughter to join the Marines.
My dad'45 was a Marine fighter pilot (Corsair). As a female'78, I chose Army as it had more opportunities and Engineer Branch. My parents were horrified and couldn't understand why I didn't pick Marine or Navy or Air Force, anything but the Army. Then the engineer choice was an event as well. Years later I found out my grandfather, who had been gassed in WWI was an army engineer. My best friend wanted to be a Marine but had to drop out of school over money and ended up getting married instead. They are all good. They are all challenging. What I chose was best for me and I am grateful I could serve (4 years active and 18 years more in reserves) although at times I had doubts. What does she want and like to do? Combat is open now. Logistics? Engineering? Medical support? Pilot? Which service has the most opportunities in what she wants to do? Where does she want to travel? Which service provides those opportunities?
If I were eligible and seeking to join the military today, I would seriously consider routes to the Space Force. Male or female, space is the wave of the future and I think there will be all kinds of opportunities there. Not to mention the civilian jobs that serving in the USSF would probably open up.
I second what you are saying. My dad retired in 1965 after serving 20. Thirteen in the Air Force and 7 in the Navy. His specialty was altitude chambers and pressure suits. He walk right into a job with Brown & Root at. LBJ Space Center the day he retired and now with so many civilian programs, it's going to be very strong in the hiring.
Late to the party here but I'm currently serving. Enlisted in 2000, did a commissioning program at A&M from fall 2005 to spring 2008 and will be looking to retire from the Marines in 2021 or 2023.
The Marine Corps is 7% female. That is mostly concentrated in support roles. If she desires a combat arms (infantry, artillery, etc.), the Corps is making a concerted effort to integrate those fields but we are behind the other services in doing so--being blunt, it that is a role with a lot of upside potential but an incredible amount of negative potential and as a father, I wouldn't support my daughter pursuing that. If she is pursing a support role, I'd be open to it. Specifically, I'd look at jobs that have tangible skills after service. To me, those include legal services (para-legal), logistics and supply chain management, military police if she's interested in law enforcement / criminal justice, etc. Those fields also tend to have more female leaders that could afford her positive role models and generally people who can be mentors.
Generally, the Corps has the stigma of being the most challenging for females to succeed. I don't believe that is accurate. Standards are standards and the Corps is devoted to having the highest standards to be "the most ready when the Nation is the least ready." The bravado an dedication to service is what you have to believe in if you want to wear the Eagle Globe and Anchor.
I enlisted because my family was broke, mom had medical bills, and the recruiter promised me a $50k college fund if I scored high enough on the ASVAB. Looking back, I've got a bachelors from A&M, a MA from OU, and MBA from Liberty University, and I've been to 42 countries. My life would have never turned out this way without that decision to enlist and maximize the educational benefits afforded. Opportunities are there for someone who is willing to work hard and be devoted to achieving their goals.
Shoot me a message if you'd like to chat. I'm willing to share my insights to someone considering the service. With that said, I believe the other services would offer more tangible skill sets to someone looking to gain experience and pursue a degree. They also do a better job of locking you into a career field during the enlistment process than the Marines do. I'm not knocking the Corps. I've had a blast and the time is just coming for me to settle down--but when it comes to someone looking to make that move, I will be unbiased in my assistance and help make the right choice for your daughter's circumstances.
The Marine Corps is 7% female. That is mostly concentrated in support roles. If she desires a combat arms (infantry, artillery, etc.), the Corps is making a concerted effort to integrate those fields but we are behind the other services in doing so--being blunt, it that is a role with a lot of upside potential but an incredible amount of negative potential and as a father, I wouldn't support my daughter pursuing that. If she is pursing a support role, I'd be open to it. Specifically, I'd look at jobs that have tangible skills after service. To me, those include legal services (para-legal), logistics and supply chain management, military police if she's interested in law enforcement / criminal justice, etc. Those fields also tend to have more female leaders that could afford her positive role models and generally people who can be mentors.
Generally, the Corps has the stigma of being the most challenging for females to succeed. I don't believe that is accurate. Standards are standards and the Corps is devoted to having the highest standards to be "the most ready when the Nation is the least ready." The bravado an dedication to service is what you have to believe in if you want to wear the Eagle Globe and Anchor.
I enlisted because my family was broke, mom had medical bills, and the recruiter promised me a $50k college fund if I scored high enough on the ASVAB. Looking back, I've got a bachelors from A&M, a MA from OU, and MBA from Liberty University, and I've been to 42 countries. My life would have never turned out this way without that decision to enlist and maximize the educational benefits afforded. Opportunities are there for someone who is willing to work hard and be devoted to achieving their goals.
Shoot me a message if you'd like to chat. I'm willing to share my insights to someone considering the service. With that said, I believe the other services would offer more tangible skill sets to someone looking to gain experience and pursue a degree. They also do a better job of locking you into a career field during the enlistment process than the Marines do. I'm not knocking the Corps. I've had a blast and the time is just coming for me to settle down--but when it comes to someone looking to make that move, I will be unbiased in my assistance and help make the right choice for your daughter's circumstances.
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