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Chapter 4:

 

Representation Within Occupations

Tables 4.14 and 4.15 present the distribution of officers across occupational areas by gender and race/ethnic group, respectively. More than one-third of officers were working in jobs classified as part of tactical operation. Together, the second, third, and fourth most populous occupations—health care, engineering and maintenance, and supply—slightly exceeded the manning levels of tactical operations. Appendix Table B-37 provides FY 2002 occupational area data by Service, including personnel classified as non-occupational.

Women and occupational assignments. Table 4.14 shows significant assignment differences between male and female officers. Despite expanding numbers of and roles for women, it takes time to bring women into new positions and career fields. Significantly greater percentages of men than women were in tactical operations (41 and 10 percent, respectively), whereas greater percentages of women than men were in "traditional" female occupations of administration (11 and 5 percent, respectively) and health care (39 and 14 percent, respectively). Appendix Table B-38 shows the assignment patterns by Service and gender.

Table 4.14. FY 2002 Occupational Areas of Active Component Officer Corps, by Gender (Percent)
Occupational Area
Males
Females
Total
General Officers and Executives
0.5
0.1
0.4
Tactical Operations
40.6
10.0
35.8
Intelligence
5.0
5.9
5.1
Engineering and Maintenance
12.1
10.8
11.9
Scientists and Professionals
5.6
5.1
5.5
Health Care
13.6
39.5
17.7
Administration
5.2
10.8
6.1
Supply, Procurement, and Allied Occupations
8.8
10.6
9.1
Non-Occupational*
8.6
7.3
8.4
Total
100.0
100.0
100.0

Columns may not add to total due to rounding.
Calculations do not include 7 male Army, 562 male and 18 female Marine Corps, and 390 male and 23 female Air Force O-6 officers classified as general officers by the Services.
* Non-occupational includes patients, students, those with unassigned duties, and unknowns.
Also see Appendix Table B-38 (Occupational Area by Service and Gender).

Minorities and occupational assignments. The percentage of each racial/ethnic category by officer occupational areas is shown in Table 4.15. In FY 2002, racial and ethnic groups of officers generally had similar patterns of representation across occupational areas, although there are several specific differences in the patterns. Fewer Blacks and “Others” were assigned to tactical operations than were Whites and Hispanics. Similarly a greater percentage of officers in the “Other” racial category was in health care positions. Proportionately more Blacks than other racial/ethnic groups were in the engineering and maintenance, administration, and supply occupations. The Services strive to achieve racial/ethnic balance during the assignment process. Such a focus is important because occupational assignment is related to promotion opportunities and success as an officer.

Regardless of race/ethnicity, the largest percentage of officers worked in tactical operations; the lowest percentages worked in intelligence and scientific/professional occupations. Appendix Table B-39 provides data on occupational areas by Service and race/ethnicity.

Table 4.15. FY 2002 Occupational Areas of Active Component Officer Corps, by Race/Ethnicity (Percent)
Occupational Area
White
Black
Hispanic
Other
General Officers and Executives
0.5
0.3
0.1

0.1
Tactical Operations
37.6
23.3
34.3

27.5
Intelligence
5.1
4.7
5.7

4.7
Engineering and Maintenance
11.5
15.6
12.0

12.2
Scientists and Professionals
5.7
4.5
4.7

5.0
Health Care
17.2
18.3
14.6

26.9
Administration
5.6
11.1
7.0

5.8
Supply, Procurement, and Allied Occupations
8.3
16.1
11.1

8.7
Non-Occupational*
8.5
6.1
10.6
9.2
Total
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0

Columns may not add to total due to rounding.
Calculations do not include 5 White and 2 Black Army; 527 White, 30 Black, 17 Hispanic, and 6 "Other" Marine Corps; and 376 White, 25 Black, 5 Hispanic, and 7 "Other" Air Force O-6 officers classified as general officers by the Services.
* Non-occupational includes patients, students, those with unassigned duties, and unknowns.
Also see Appendix Table B-39 (Occupational Area by Service and Race/Ethnicity).

 

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