Women's Equality In The Military Essay

In 1978 the United States’ Navy consisted only of five percent women (Olson). The Navy has been trying to provide a stable and equal environment for women who wish to serve their country for years and have been very successful; seventeen percent of the Navy is now women (Olson). Over the years the path for women’s equality in the United States’ Navy has been long, complicated, and is still driving on today. Ever sense the Revolutionary War women have been participating in our country’s battles, even though at that time they were not allowed to enlist. During this time period a select few women would disguise themselves as men to help in the cause. One of these women was Debora Samson Gannett, who enlisted under her brother’s name in 1782. She served for 17 months until she was discovered (“A History of Women in the U.S. Military”). Other women throughout history have done similar acts to be able to serve their country on the front lines. In 1917, during World War I, women were officially allowed to join the military and around 33,000 women enlisted, though they were only allowed as nurses and staff. When World War II began over 400,000 women were integrated into more non-combat duties to allow more men to fight (“Time Line: Women in the U.S. Military”). Women

Recent modifications were made on the uniforms that a soldier serving in the Navy is required to wear. A woman’s dress uniform for the Navy has been different from the men’s. A woman wore a white skirt when in dress uniform and a man wore white slacks. The new uniforms are gender equal, unisex. Not only are the dress uniforms unisex, but the combat uniform is as well. All aspects of both uniforms are gender equal. The change is drastic and coming along with the integration of women onto submarines with a mandatory wear by date of 2021 ( “Navy Announces Rollout and Wear Dates for Upcoming Uniform