Female Active-Duty Personnel: Guidance and Plans Needed for Recruitment and Retention Efforts
Abstract
The role of female servicemembers in the military has expanded in the last half century as restrictions on female servicemembers serving on active duty, including in combat, have been eliminated. DOD has also stated that recruiting and retaining women is important in order to reflect the nations population and ensure strong military leadership. House Report 115-676 includes a provision that GAO review female retention and promotion in the military. This report examines (1) trends in the percentage of female active-duty service members in the military and their attrition rates, including reported factors leading to attrition; (2) how female active-duty servicemember promotion rates compare with those of males and among females with differing characteristics, and what factors influence these rates; and (3) the extent to which DOD and the military services have plans to guide and monitor female active-duty servicemember recruitment and retention. GAO analyzed fiscal year2004 through 2018 personnel data to identify attrition and promotion rates and conducted statistical modeling to determine the likelihood of separation and promotion, reviewed DOD reports and other literature on servicemember attrition, and interviewed officials from DOD and other military organizations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 2020
- Accession Number
- AD1153062
Entities
People
- Adriana Aldgate
- Amie Lesser
- Brenda S. Farrell
- Carter Stevens
- Chad Hinsch
- Charles Culverwell
- Cynthia Grant
- Edda Emmanuelli-perez
- Elaine Vaurio
- Emily Biskup
- Jennifer Weber
- Kimberly Mayo
- Leigh A. Sheffield
- Lillian M. Yob
- Michael Silver
- Moon Parks
- Pamela Snedden
- Samuel A. Moore
- Steven R. Putansu
- Yvonne Jones
- Zina Merritt
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office