Success and failure among male and female Navy paramedical specialists

A comparison of the sexes in Navy Hospital Corpsman (HM) and Dental Technician (DT) rating groups showed that men and women entering these Navy paramedical specialities differed on a number of background, aptitude, and personality dimensions. The same proportion of men and women completed training in the HM group, but significantly more DT women completed training thand did DT men. The proportion of men and women who were still in the Navy one year after completion of training was the same in both rating groups. Among those who failed to complete training, the women were more likely than the men to be in the Navy one year later. These findings show that women were just as successful as men in both of these rating groups when success is defined as completion of training and remaining on active duty for a period of one year after completion of training. The results are contrary to those of earlier Navy studies which showed higher discharge rates and lower reenlistment rates for women than for men. It is suggested that the results may represent changes in values, role, and expectations for the sexes, and changes in Navy policies for women.