I am debating on either joining the Army or the Navy. Which service is better for a woman?

Question

I am going into Nursing. I was told by the Navy that the Hospital Corpsman is closed to women due to it being the only medical supports for the Marines and it's being offered to men due to (war) and women not being able to go into combat.

I have spoken with an Army recruiter and he says that he can secure a "spot" for medical if that's what I want to do.

I want to know from first hand experience from any women in the military be it Navy or Army, and what was there experience like.

Thank you

Answer 1

I am not a woman, however I just retired 4 days ago after 21 years in the Army.  I have been around the world quite a few times.  I have a 17 year old daughter and there is no way that I would support her decision to join the Army if that is what she wanted.  The quality of life is much better in the Air Force or the Navy.  In the Army you would be treated like a piece of meat.  If you went in as a commissioned officer then it would be a lot different.  Picture yourself being one of the only female medics in a 500 man infantry battalion while being deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan.  We had 3 female medics in our battalion and I pitied them for having to be around us males the whole year.  You could imagine some of the stuff they went through.  

Answer 2

i am not in the army nor have i ever been..but i have been to three different army hospitals and they are huge tripler in hawaii and womack at fort brag and walter reed..the majority of the nursing staff were women..i would think if it were something horrible there wouldnt be so many..i hope my answer has helped you in some way..good luck on your decision

Answer 3

Trust me, you aren't the only one that the Navy told that too. Anyone will tell you the military is what you make of it. Navy and Air Force, are a common pick amongst women. The quality, and lifestyle is different compared to Army. Every branches standards are high - don't let the sly remarks or some people fool ya!

The Army is fine, if you are interested in ground forces, and don't mind being deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan. As a medic, that is where you will be needed the most. Yes they can reserve your MOS before heading to MEPS, and hand you a copy of contract. You can get a nice bonus, and so on.

That is totally up to you. But don't give up, give the Navy one more try.

Answer 4

From what I've heard Navy Medical jobs are better than that of the Army. Women can be in the Medical Field in the Navy, but not Corpsman.

I personally would go Navy, because of their superior medical training

Answer 5

I have no clue what the Navy is like now day, for women.  However, in my day WAVES were respected more than WACS.

I liked my Navy experience.  The training I got was superior, however it was not medical and that was 50 years ago.

Answer 6

I agree with Seth, only because women look sooooooooooo HOT in a navy uniform.

Answer 7

You can still be a nurse in the Navy by working at a Naval Hospital, or on a hospital ship like the USNS MERCY (T-AH 19)  

Answer 8

DEFINAITLY THE NAVY!