How would you answer "Which branch is best for females"?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 May 2016 16:29:37 -0400

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.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 23 at 2016 4:31 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 May 2016 16:31:05 -0400

My answer...Which ever branch provides you the best opportunities to do what you want/love and exceed in the best way possible. Same thing I would tell a male.

Response by SGT Laura Delgadillo made May 23 at 2016 4:33 PM

SGT Laura Delgadillo — Mon, 23 May 2016 16:33:36 -0400

Join whatever branch you want to. But i always recommend airforce regardless of gender.

Response by SSG Pete Fleming made May 23 at 2016 4:36 PM

SSG Pete Fleming — Mon, 23 May 2016 16:36:02 -0400

This is a tricky question.. I would tell her the same thing I tell anyone who asks... What do you hope to gain from the experience and what is your real reason for enlisting? Because each branch and job specialty offer different benefits. Particularly when transitioning to the real world. Not all jobs transfer. Many of the skills gained do, but not the actual job. There really isn't a civilian infantry job. But mechanic, or any of the tech skills, medical, transportation... so that is why I ask those questions. It also depends on the person... not everyone is cut out to sleep in the dirt (male or female)...

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made May 23 at 2016 4:37 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Mon, 23 May 2016 16:37:08 -0400

Same answer I would give to a Male. What are your Priorities, Interests, If Physical Fitness is your thing, I recommend the Marines, If Quality of Life is Important to you, I recommend the Air Force and if Travel, Travel and More Travel is what you want. Join the Navy.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made May 23 at 2016 4:56 PM

Cpl Justin Goolsby — Mon, 23 May 2016 16:56:10 -0400

Honestly, I do not understand how that is a valid question. I would ask them which branch they want to be a part of. If there was a specific MOS that she might have in mind, it might be preferable to go to one branch over the other, but asking which branch is best for females is absolutely ridiculous.

Now I'm not trying to start any "my branch is better than your branch" arguments, but I know female Marines who kick just as much ass as the male Marines. I picked the Marine Corps because I wanted the hardest challenge. I didn't go to a recruiter and ask which branch would be best for a male.

If she wants the Navy, she should go to the Navy. But every person has to decide what branch is best for them.

Response by CPT Joseph K Murdock made May 23 at 2016 5:15 PM

CPT Joseph K Murdock — Mon, 23 May 2016 17:15:08 -0400

Air Force. No grunt work.

Response by Sgt Christopher Wenzel made May 23 at 2016 5:16 PM

Sgt Christopher Wenzel — Mon, 23 May 2016 17:16:12 -0400

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.

Response by Maj John Bell made May 23 at 2016 6:08 PM

Maj John Bell — Mon, 23 May 2016 18:08:09 -0400

I would tell her that my opinion wouldn't even qualify as a scientific wild ass guess. Then I would suggest she try writing a generic letter explaining what her questions and concerns were. Have her HS English teacher review the letter. Edit the letter, if needed. Send the letter to the five highest ranking female service members of each service that she can identify by name and command off the internet. Out of 25 letters I'll bet she gets some interesting and helpful responses.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made May 23 at 2016 6:33 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 May 2016 18:33:18 -0400

**Hears question...turns.....finds a rubber-band to play with** Staying out of this one!

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made May 23 at 2016 7:27 PM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 May 2016 19:27:52 -0400

The Air Force!!!! I would say the same for males too.

Response by SSG Bethany Viglietta made May 23 at 2016 7:35 PM

SSG Bethany Viglietta — Mon, 23 May 2016 19:35:34 -0400

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.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made May 23 at 2016 8:14 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 May 2016 20:14:15 -0400

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.

Response by SN Greg Wright made May 23 at 2016 8:32 PM

SN Greg Wright — Mon, 23 May 2016 20:32:03 -0400

Right off the bat her mindset is focused wrong. She shouldn't be asking what's best for 'females'. She should be asking what's best for 'me'.

Unfortunately, I don't think you'll be able to change her mindset, and probably shouldn't try if she's a friend. You'd basically have to tell her she's being silly. No offense to you, Jacqueem.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made May 23 at 2016 9:32 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Mon, 23 May 2016 21:32:50 -0400

"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.

Response by CW5 Sam R. Baker made May 23 at 2016 10:07 PM

CW5 Sam R. Baker — Mon, 23 May 2016 22:07:56 -0400

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.

Response by LTC Angie Habina made May 24 at 2016 10:14 AM

LTC Angie Habina — Tue, 24 May 2016 10:14:49 -0400

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?

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2016 11:33 AM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 May 2016 11:33:40 -0400

I just left Active duty and I never had a problem with anyone. As long as she does her job to the best of her ability, and applies common sense, she won't have any problems Be responsible for yourself and your shipmates and her career will flourish.

Ask her why Navy? Have she thought about other branches? Has she openly talked with any recruiters?

Honestly if she wants to join the Navy or any branch for that matter, it's all up to her.

Response by SPC Brian Mason made May 26 at 2016 1:56 AM

SPC Brian Mason — Thu, 26 May 2016 01:56:22 -0400

Any which branch she wants. However, she should go online and look at the jobs for each branch she's interested in. I know the Army has the MOS to Civilian equivalent listed on each MOS's page. That way a prospective soldier can know what he/she would be doing with that training and experience after the military.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 26 at 2016 8:23 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 May 2016 08:23:45 -0400

ALL

Response by SGT Paul Mackay made Jun 3 at 2016 8:54 PM

SGT Paul Mackay — Fri, 03 Jun 2016 20:54:47 -0400

navy

Response by 1SG Brian Adams made Jun 9 at 2016 4:42 PM

1SG Brian Adams — Thu, 09 Jun 2016 16:42:51 -0400

They are all good branches. I recruited for 15 years in the U.S. Army. I can't tell you how many times a potential candidate chose a branch of service simply because of how cool the uniform looked. Another reason was family tradition. If I had to chose one, it would be the Army, of course!

Response by Kim Baker made Apr 19 at 2017 9:28 AM

Kim Baker — Wed, 19 Apr 2017 09:28:31 -0400

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.

Response by Sgt Christian Ramos made May 15 at 2022 7:36 AM

Sgt Christian Ramos — Sun, 15 May 2022 07:36:40 -0400

Air Force