Representation of Women within Occupations

The assignment patterns for Selected Reserve enlisted men and women in occupational areas are reflected in Table 5.16. Most National Guard and Reserve enlisted women are assigned to two occupational areas: functional support (40 percent) and medical (15 percent). Enlisted men are assigned primarily to infantry (21 percent) and electrical/mechanical equipment repair (18 percent).

The proportion of Selected Reserve women in non-traditional occupations, such as technical and craftsmen, was relatively low in FY 2000. Women were nearly three times more likely than men to serve in the traditional occupational areas of medical and administration. In the future, the proportion of women enlisting in non-traditional positions in the National Guard and Reserves will depend to a considerable extent on the number of Active Component women in non-traditional skills, their willingness to join a Selected Reserve unit upon separating from active duty, and the proportion of technical skill vacancies in Guard and Reserve units. However, with the end of the military drawdown, there are fewer prior service women available to enter the Selected Reserve. Consequently, it is important to continue monitoring occupational trends by gender in both the Active and Reserve Components.