Despite the unconventional, physically and mentally demanding roles that women have played in social and political movements throughout history, there remains a stigma in the modern day that women are not fit or strong enough to serve in the United States military. This is a misconception built upon prejudice and a system with a social structure meant to demean women and uplift men. Women have contributed just as much as men to American society, both in history and the present day. From organizing boycotts in the American Revolution and establishing settlement homes during the Progressive Era, to taking on more leadership positions and pursuing higher education in modern day, women have proven themselves to be significant agents of change and highly influential figures who continue to shape society today. 

The stereotype feeds off of a common idea that men are scientifically proven to be stronger than women, which is thought to make them superior to women in all respects. However, while men may generally have higher testosterone levels and muscle tissue, that does not make women any less capable of physically demanding tasks or of overtaking men’s achievements. Such misogynistic stereotypes and arguments are embedded in our society’s culture and laws, revealing a deep-rooted prejudice against women that spans back tens of thousands of years. These judgments, which favor traditional and conservative roles for women, suggest women lack emotional maturity, are dependent on men and are physically inferior to them. Fortunately, these misogynistic stereotypes are challenged by women’s success in education and policymaking. Today, there are more women than ever seeking accelerated courses of studies, pursuing degrees in colleges and creating opportunities for themselves with hard work and dedication to their education and beliefs. These women, who are increasingly prevalent and praised in modern day, address and disprove arguments that accuse them of lacking intellectual and emotional maturity. However, despite feminism’s apparent success academically, perceptions of women as unfit and weak still persist, and many restrictions placed upon them are just recently being lifted.

In 1994, Secretary of Defense Les Aspin rescinded the Combat Exclusion Policy, also called the “Risk Rule,” which had previously barred women from joining military units that had a risk of combat exposure. This policy expanded combat exclusion for women, even after women were authorized to command units that included men. Its rescission allowed women to serve in all positions in the U.S. military except for those engaged in direct ground combat roles. Only in 2013, just a little over a decade ago, did Defense Secretary Leon Panetta announce that female service members would be permitted to serve in direct ground combat roles, officially lifting the ban on women in combat.

As of 2023, the gender breakdown for the United States Military Academy classes include: U.S. Naval Academy at 26.2% female, West Point at 24.1% female, the U.S. Air Force Academy at 28.2% female, the Merchant Marine Academy at 26.4% female and the U.S. Coast Guard Academy at 34% women academy-wide. These numbers, hovering around 20 to 27%, demonstrate a lack of gender diversity in the military and a deficit of female candidates for admissions in 2023, but it also exhibits the prevalence of female service member admissions in the U.S. military, even with the recency of the Combat Exclusion Act’s rescission just over a decade ago. Additionally, in 2017, about one in five commissioned officers in the military were women. Through more women taking on leadership positions, female service members give a glimpse into the future of the U.S.

Women have continued to push societal boundaries through taking more roles, including high ranking ones, in the military. Since Sept. 11, 2001, over 300,000 women have served in Iraq and Afghanistan and more than 9,000 have earned Combat Action Badges. Today, women make up 16% of the U.S. Armed Forces and serve in every branch of the U.S. military. These women have dedicated their time, effort and work into being successful in a system designed to oppress and pressure them; but most of all, they are leading the fight for equality against a patriarchal system that means to undermine the women of this country.