Women in Defense: Breaking Barriers and Advancing Careers

Women in defense have been breaking barriers in recent years, and it’s a beneficial trend not just for women but the Department of Defense (DOD) as a whole. Women are a critical component of an effective fighting force and workforce, but they’ve often faced obstacles that limited their access to certain opportunities. Today, that landscape is changing, and it’s creating new avenues for professional growth and career advancement. Here’s a look at women in defense, including the role they play, how various initiatives are opening doors, and pathways for advancing the careers of women in defense. Women's Role in the Defense Industry Women play a critical role in the defense industry, and their role has only grown since the implementation of the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) initiative. The DOD adopted a framework modeled after the broader WPS initiatives designed by the United Nations. While women have long been part of the defense ......