全球智库信息集成服务系统

Research Indicates Gender Integration Has Not Been a Primary Cause of Cohesion Problems

• In general, cohesion within gender-diverse groups improves over time.
• Cohesion should increase as women demonstrate the ability to perform at high levels.
• Negative impacts on cohesion can be prevented or mitigated by leadership and cohesion-building activities.

The Experiences of Foreign Militaries Provide Valuable Lessons

• Recruiting and retaining women for combat arms occupations can be challenging.
• Successful integration programs have a clear implementation plan.
• Human resource management policies need to support integration: Targeted recruitment and retention policies can attract women into combat arms occupations and retain them in those occupations.
• Leadership commitment and accountability are vital to successful gender integration.

Civilian Fire and Police Departments Provide Useful Insights

• Equipment and uniforms must meet the needs of women.
• Small-unit dynamics and discipline need to be closely monitored.
• Integration challenges change and mature over time.

There Will Be Both One-Time and Recurring Costs with Integration

• The number of women entering the infantry will be modest, and the increase in representation will be slow.
• Women will have higher levels of attrition during training and fewer months of infantry service than men, but overall costs are expected to be modest compared to recruiting and retention budgets.
• The Marine Corps will be able to make up any shortfall in the infantry effectively through increased recruitment, increased retention, or both.