This post includes much of the background research which the Marine Corps gathered related to integrating women into the ground combat arms. As part of the overall research effort, the Marine Corps pulled on research already available regarding gender. We looked at allied nations, previous gender integration efforts and to history. These studies are available at the Marine Corps Archives in Quantico, Virginia. If you have specific questions on any of these studies, please let me know in the comments.
If there is a specific study in which you’d be interested understanding the main takeaway points, please let me know. There is a related post, which lists the studies and reports which the Marine Corps commissioned or conducted related to integrating women into the ground combat arms. You can find that post here.
U.S. Marine Corps
Marine Corps Force Integration Plan Additional Studies and Research References
As of 30 September 2015
Center for Naval Analysis
1. The Qualified Candidate Population: Estimating the Nation’s Eligible Population for Marine Corps Officer Service (Apr 2015)
2. Racial/Ethnic Performance Differences and Implications for The Basic School (TBS): A Literature Review (Sep 2014)
3. Costs of Recruit Quality: The Impact of Budget Cuts on Recruit Quality and the United States Marine Corps (May 2013)
4. An Evaluation of the Fitness Report System for Marine Officers (Jul 2012)
5. Recruit Quality and Performance Indicators: Evidence from the Navy and Marine Corps (Apr 2011)
Naval Health Research Center
6. Changes in Combat Task Performance under Increasing Loads in Active Duty Marines (Mar 2015)
Operational Analysis Division (MCCDC)
7. Study of Talent, Attrition, Retention, and Success Final Report (Sep 2015)
8. Factors Influencing Disciplinary Actions in the Marine Corps (Dec 2012)
RAND Corporation
9. Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment in the Military: Findings from the RAND Military Workplace Study (May 2015)
10. Defining Physical Standards for Physically Demanding Jobs (Nov 2013)
11. New Opportunities for Military Women: Effects Upon Readiness, Cohesion and Morale (1997)
U.S. Military
Reports and Studies
12. Of Gender and Generals: Policy Recommendations to Enhance the Development and Retention of Female Marine Officers, Tufts University (2014)
13. Analysis of the Pull-Up Requirement in the U.S. Marine Corps Physical Fitness Test (PFT) for Female Marines, Center for Naval Analyses (Mar 2014)
14. Initial Entry Training (IET) Injury and Fitness Surveillance Fiscal Years 2010-2013, U.S. Army Institute of Public Health (Jul 2014)
15. Gender Differences in Reward Sensitivity and Information Processing during Decision-Making, Texas A&M University (2014)
16. Women in Combat: Issues for Congress, Congressional Research Service (2013)
17. Racial and Ethnic Diversity in Military Leadership: A Feasibility Analysis of the Military Leadership Diversity Commission’s Service Academy Accession Recommendations (2013)
18. From Representation to Inclusion: Diversity Leadership for the 21st Century Military, Military Leadership Diversity Commission (2011)
19. Junior Officer Retention: Challenges and Opportunities, Harvard University (Mar 2011)
20. Less Body Fat Improves Physical and Physiological Performance in Army Soldiers (Jan 2011)
21. Gender, Critical Mass, and Judicial Decision Making, University of Denver (2010)
22. The Process of Physical Fitness Standards Development (USAF) (Dec 2000)
23. Gender Differences and Leadership, Air War College (1997)
24. Presidential Commission on the Assignment of Women in the Armed Forces (Nov 1992)
25. Task Force Report on Women in the Military, Defense Department (Mar 1988)
Books
26. Hewitt, Linda L. Captain, USMCR, Women Marines in World War I (Washington, D.C.: History Division, USMC, 1974)
27. Pat (Major) Meid, Marine Corps Women’s Reserve in World War II, Marine Corps Historical Reference Series 37 (Washington, D.C.: Marine Corps Historical Branch, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, 1964)
28. Mary V. Stremlow, A History of the Women Marines: 1946-1977 (Washington, D.C.: History Division, USMC, 1986)
29. Jeanne (MajGen) Holm, Women in the Military: An Unfinished Revolution, 2nd ed. (Novato, CA: Presidio, 1993)
30. Archives of the Marine Corps – various 1970s – 1990s, Quantico, Virginia
Allied Nations
NATO
31. Optimizing Operational Physical Fitness: RTO-AC-HFM-080 (Jan 2009)
32. Impacts of Gender Differences on Conducting Operational Activities: RTO-MP-HFM-158 (Oct 2008)
Australia
33. Physiological and Physical Employment Standards: Australian Army (2012)
34. Physical Employment Standards Assessment (PESA) Instructions and Testing Protocols (2012)
Canada
35. Generic Task Statement for all Canadian Armed Forces Members – Annex D (2014)
36. Developing Upper Body Strength for Women in the Canadian Forces (2007)
37. From the Past and into the Future: Gender Integration in the Canadian Armed Forces
1970-1999 (1998)
France
38. Women in Combat Arms in French Armed Forces (Jan 2013)
Israel
39. Physiological Employment Standards IV: Integration of Women in Combat Units Physiological and Medical Considerations (Dec 2012)
United Kingdom
40. Women in Ground Close Combat (GCC) Review Paper (Dec 2014)
41. Ceteris Paribus: Gender Roles and the UK Military (2013)
42. The Loaded March: An Overview (2013)
43. Surgeon General’s Bone Health Project: Nutritional Influences on Bone Health and Stress Fracture Incidence during Royal Marine Training (Jun 2012)
44. Why Can’t Anything Be Done? Measuring Physical Readiness of Women for Military Occupations (Oct 2011)
45. Injuries among Female Army Recruits: A Conflict of Legislation (Jan 2002)
46. Identifying, at Selection, the Physical and Mental Characteristics Associated with Successful Completion of the 30-Week Royal Marine (RM) Recruit Training Course (Apr 2001)
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