Understanding the diversity in the U.S. military is easier when the numbers are looked at based on this nation's population. American women represent 51% of the American population, yet they make up only about 16% of uniformed officers in each branch of the military. The numbers are even lower when considering the number of women who have reached the rank of general officer. In the Army, only 4% of generals are women, Navy admirals are 7%, the Air Force is only 9%, and the lowest number is the Marine Corps at 3%. (Sagalyn, 2011). The chart below shows the disparity in numbers of each branch of the military and covers both active and reserve officers. (Sagalyn, 2011). There are two main reasons for the lack of women involved in the highest ranks of the US military. (1)- Women are not allowed to participate in combat, which is most often how you get promoted. The reasoning behind this issue is that feelings and beliefs about gender integration would harm a combat unit's effectiveness. (2)- The turnover rate among women is much higher than among male colleagues. Women are not as likely to remain in the service as men and are less likely to view the military as a permanent or long-term career that will affect their chances of promotion. (Sagalyn, 2011). The issue of women fighting in combat alongside their male counterparts is not a one-sided problem. Elizabeth Hoisington earned the rank of brigadier general in the United States Army, leads the Women's Army Corps, and believes that women should not serve in combat because they are not as physically, mentally, or emotionally qualified as a male is and that... .. middle of paper ......, which seems to happen all too often when it comes to the treatment of women in the military. Works Cited Bell, D. (2013, May 15). Arguing For and Against Women in Combat, in 1978. Retrieved from http://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/press-past/2013/05/15/arguing-for-and-against-women-in-combat -in-1978Kennedy, K. (2013, July 25). Military women say sexual violence and harassment persists. Retrieved from http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2013/07/23/sexual-assaults-continue-to-plague-military/2577995/Rosenblum, K., & Travis, T. (2012 ). The meaning of difference: American constructions of race, sex and gender, social class, sexual orientation, and disability (6th ed.). New York, NT: McGraw-Hill. Sagalyn, D. (2011, March 11). Report: US military leadership lacks diversity at the top. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/2011/03/military-report.html