Posted on May 23, 2016
SGT Writer
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I was asked an interesting question today by a female considering the Navy. Excluding telling her to join Rallypoint and talk with others, how would you respond ?

Edit:
She's going to school to be a social worker and currently thinks the Navy is the best choice for her - 23May2016, 1930EST.
Edited >1 y ago
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Responses: 23
LTC Angie Habina
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Each branch has different opportunities and challenges for females.
I encouraged my nephew to look at the Navy bc he wants to be an ENGR and was thinking about military service.
No offense to the Army Docs, but my experience with military health services has been a lot more positive with Navy Docs.
As with any commitment and decision, I recommend researching all you can. Define your goals and what you're willing to endure to get where you want. Kinda hard when you don't know what to ask and look for. What programs are at her school with ROTC?
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SGT Writer
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>1 y
I don't know anything about the ROTC program here except there's Army and Air Force.
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LTC Angie Habina
LTC Angie Habina
>1 y
The Navy has ROTC as well, which includes the Marines (or did when I was in college). They're midshipmen.
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CW5 Sam R. Baker
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I'll answer this in simplistic layman terms for most parents who ask me the question! If you want friends/besties/buddies for life, the Marines; see the world and experience things you never expected, the Navy; if you treasure quality of life and a job post military service, the Air Force; finally, if it's about money and promotion, join the Army as it promotes the fastest with least effort. After 29 years, the other services have stricter promotion for enlisted ranks, it's just my 02. Sooooooo, my answer would be as follows:

I think the Branch matters more than the service, however, The Air Force! Being career Army and having worked in two branches open to women since 1987 when I joined, MP corps and Aviation, I just think the Air Force trumps the rest of us.
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SCPO Investigator
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Forced to pick one??? How about the one the vast majority of Americans can never remember, the one even members of the three major departments in the Pentagon forget exists. Yep, that's the best one for males and, especially, females.
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SGT Writer
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Funny enough, I told her about that. So many people forget about the Coast Guard. I only remember them so much because I've lived 10 minutes away from a Coast Guard base for years.
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SSG Bethany Viglietta
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Like everyone else has said. Depends on what she wants to do, what she qualifies for since each branch has their own list of qualifications, and her passions. I am an Army Recruiter, so I will always tell individuals to talk to all branches after I let them know we are currently the only ones who can consistently guarantee MOS in writing before they go down to MEPs. But in the end it has to be the branch that will suit her the best and that she will be best suited for.
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Col Commander
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The Air Force!!!! I would say the same for males too.
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Sgt Christopher Wenzel
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By joining whatever branch you feel like joining.

Everyone's experience is going to be different, some might succeed in one or another, other may not get past their first year. I think what is important is that all potential service members do their research before committing to one specific service.
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Kim Baker
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Im only 14 years old and my. Rother is in the Marine corp i want to join the military i domt know what would be best for me as a girl i want to go in the Marine Corp or Navy but I love planes I just dont know.
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SGT Writer
SGT (Join to see)
>1 y
I didn't know you could be 14 and a member on RP. I'd suggest creating a discussion asking this question and talking with recruiters and members on RP doing that things you'd like to do. Let me or someone know if you need help with that.
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Kim Baker
Kim Baker
>1 y
Ok thank you
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SGT Paul Mackay
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navy
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SFC Motor Transport Operator
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ALL
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CAPT Kevin B.
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"Best"? Interesting. Besides the comments talking about whatever you want to do, there's a historical bent. The AF tended to diversify more in the 60s before it was required to do so. Since the vast majority of the AF assets and people were on bases, it could be done with greater ease vs. say Navy. All the services were required to allow women in non-combatant roles some time ago too. It was more difficult for women if their demographic percentage was low, just as it is in certain business sectors today. Getting women into combatant roles was an on/off proposition that's still playing out today, particularly in the SOF, Ranger, etc. arena. The Navy got more on board with women on ships when the requirement for new hulls to accommodate female spaces was implemented. Yes, there was some kicking and screaming along the way. I remember when the first Women Marines (WMs) were showing up. Back then you'd hear them more frequently referred to as BAMs. That also faded into history. Bottom line, "Best" is whatever you make of it.
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MAJ Ronnie Reams
MAJ Ronnie Reams
>1 y
hat a new one on me, thanks. Always heard them called WAMs. I know they were around in 42 as I heard my Dad, a Naval Aviator speak of them.
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