HISTORY:

In 1918, Loretta Walsh was the first woman to be enlisted in U.S Navy. In 1948, a law was passed which made women a permanent part or military services. The first group of women were admitted into the U.S military in 1976. Esther McGowin Blake was the first woman to serve in the U.S. Air Force.

A woman, a slave near Jefferson City, Missouri, Cathay Williams was the first known African American woman to serve in the United States Army, named as “William Cathay” she hid the fact she was a woman.

Opha May Johnson was the first woman to be enlisted in the U.S Marine Corps. She joined in 1918 during World War I.

Colonel Ruby Bradley, a survivor of two wars, World War II and the Korean War. Her military record included 34 medals.

HISTORY OF WOMEN IN INDIAN MILITARY SERVICES:

Role of women in the Indian Army started in 1888, during British Raj as “Indian Military Nursing Service”.

In 1992, the army, air force, the navy started including women as short-service commission (SSC) officers.

DIFFERENT CAREER PATH IN MILITARY:

1.) Army: Short Service Non-Technical Commission, Short Service Commission Women NCC, Short Service Commission Women Judge Advocate General, Short Service Commission Women Technical Entry Scheme, Military Nursing Services, Army Medical Corps, Army Dental Corps.

2.) Navy: Naval Architecture, Observer, Education, Logistics, Law, Pilot General.

3.) Cyber Army: Associations of Ethical Hackers and Resource Center for National Police Agencies. This is to meet the long term security challenges in the digital arena.

4.) Air Force: Flying Branch, Technical Branch, Ground Duty Branch.

4.) Army Education Corps: An education centre, run by the Indian Army that develops soldiers and officers of all rank.

WHY WOMEN SHOULD JOIN MILITARY?

1.) Opportunities for women are more- the jobs that were available for women in the military were quite limited. But, this now this is changed in the early nineties. Women who are interested in non-traditional career opportunities might consider a military career.

2.) Health Benefits- the military offers full medical coverage from the moment you join. These benefits apply both to officers and their family members. Spouses and children are also eligible for coverage.

3.)Education and Service- the military covers up to 100% of tuition fees while you are serving for the nation and studying together. Army and Navy have community college programs available. Women who take advantage of these opportunities can earn promotions.

4.) Housing Benefits- there are two housing options for members of the military. They can live on base for free or can choose to live off-base and receive housing rent.

5.)Retirement Benefits- Members of the military can retire in as little as 20 years. This means someone enlisting at the age of 18 could retire when they are 38. And after the retirement, the one who served to the nation get benefits for lifelong. They get retirement money, health services and pension as well.

Challenges women have to face in the military:

1.)Physical fitness- women have 60% of the physical strength of men. They are shorter and smaller than men.

2.)Equipment issue– equipment such as body Armour is made to fit men and must be customized to women’s bodies.

3.)Retention- many women leave the military because they perceive that military policies do not support women’s roles as mothers. Women indicated that they were not treated as equal to the male military officers, which made them leave the military.

 4.) Military sexual trauma: MST is used to describe sexual assault or harassment that takes place during military service. in military 23% of women reported sexual assault and 55% reported some form of sexual harassment.

5.)Gender discrimination: women are more likely to face sexual assault, harassment and gender discrimination while serving their country. Women are 20 times more likely than men to be assaulted during their military service.