Gender Integration in Basic Training

The military's approach to integrating men and women during basic training ranges from integrating some training units to having separate gender units that share some training venues with units of the opposite sex to providing totally separate training. Data with which to compare the performance of trainees in gender-integrated units and segregated units are not available from all of the services. Limited information from studies done for the Navy and the Army suggests that gender-integrated basic training does not harm trainees' performance. A 1992 study done for the Navy found no impact on performance and improvement in teamwork for both men and women trained in gender-integrated units. A 1996 study of gender integration in the Army reported that women's performance improved in gender-integrated training units and that men's performance was not degraded. Because the information was so limited, however, GAO recommended that the Defense Department (DOD) gather more extensive data. DOD agreed with GAO's suggestion and is now collecting the data.

GAO noted that: (1) the military services' approaches to the integration of men and women during basic training range from integrating some training units to having separate gender units that share some training venues with units of the opposite gender to providing totally separate training; (2) data to compare the performance of trainees in gender-integrated units and segregated units is not available from all of the services; (3) limited information on the impact of gender integration from two studies done for the Navy and the Army suggests that gender-integrated basic training programs do not negatively affect trainees' performance; (4) a 1992 study done for the Navy reported no impact on performance and improvement in teamwork for both men and women trained in gender-integrated units; (5) a 1996 study of gender integration in the Army reported that women's performance improved in integrated training units and men's performance was not degraded; (6) because the data available to evaluate the impact of gender integration was so limited, GAO recommended that the Department of Defense (DOD) gather more extensive data; and (7) DOD concurred with GAO's recommendation and is in the process of collecting the data.