Research Brief
Military Readiness: Women Are Not a Problem
Jan 1, 1997
Effects Upon Readiness, Cohesion, and Morale
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While some headlines have accented the negative side of gender integration in the military, this study paints a brighter picture. Gender integration has had only small effects on the matters that count most: defense readiness, unit cohesion, and morale. Among the officers and enlisted personnel of both sexes who participated in the study, there is a consensus that leadership, training, and workload are the primary influences on how well their units function. They also agree that servicewomen perform about as well as men. However, there are some areas of concern, such as confusion and anxiety about what constitutes sexual harassment and how the charges are handled; perceived double standards about physical requirements, and the effects of pregnancy on the readiness of units that are already understaffed or that include disproportionate numbers of women. The authors encountered a wide range of reaction to the women's expanded presence and roles. Taken together, however, the surveys, interviews and focus groups yielded a positive portrait of life in the integrated military.
Preface
Tables
Summary
Acknowledgements
Acknowledgments
Abbreviations
Chapter One
Introduction
Chapter Two
Policy Interpretation and Current Status of Opportunities Available to Military Women
Chapter Three
Effects of Gender Integration on Readiness
Chapter Four
Effects of Gender Integration on Cohesion
Chapter Five
Effects of Gender Integration on Morale
Chapter Six
Additional Issues
Chapter Seven
Conclusions and Policy Implications
Appendix A
Methodology
Appendix B
Additional Data Regarding the Status of Women's Opportunities in the Service
Appendix C
Demographics of Population Studied
Appendix D
Men's Questionnaire
Appendix E
Women's Questionnaire
Bibliography
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