In 1941, as World War II intensified, Congresswoman Edith Nourse Rogers introduced the first bill to establish a women's auxiliary unit, allowing women to serve in non-combat roles to free men for combat duties. This led to the creation of the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) in 1942, with Oveta Culp Hobby as its first director. Initially, the WAAC had no military status, but in 1943, Congress authorized women to enlist in the Army, transforming the WAAC into the Women's Army Corps (WAC), still led by Hobby.
During the war, WAC units were deployed globally, including North Africa, Europe, and the Pacific. Five training centers opened across the United States to prepare women for service. By 1945, the WAC numbered 99,000, but after Victory in Europe and Japan's surrender, many centers closed, and the numbers declined sharply. In 1948, the Women's Armed Services Integration Act allowed women to serve in all military branches officially.
The Korean War saw a resurgence of WAC activity, with women serving in hospitals, support roles, and administrative positions in Korea, Japan, and Okinawa. During the Vietnam War, WAC officers and enlisted women served in Vietnam, with notable promotions and increased rank opportunities, including the first women reaching general officer ranks in 1970. The WAC expanded significantly from 1972 to 1978 as the Army sought to maintain strength after the draft's abolition.
Beginning in the 1970s, women entered programs like ROTC and began training alongside men, with changes to their role and training standards. In 1974, WAC officers were integrated into other branches, and separate housing was gradually phased out. Women also began graduating from West Point, and a new museum to honor WAC history was established at Fort McClellan, Alabama.
In 1978, Congress disestablished the WAC as a separate corps to integrate women fully into the Army, standardizing enlistment qualifications. The 1980s and 1990s marked significant progress, including the first women graduates of West Point and deployments during the Gulf War. During this period, policies evolved to allow women to fly combat missions and serve on Navy ships, although some restrictions based on danger levels remained.
In 1941, as World War II intensified, Congresswoman Edith Nourse Rogers introduced the first bill to establish a women's auxiliary unit, allowing women to serve in non-combat roles to free men for combat duties. This led to the creation of the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) in 1942, with Oveta Culp Hobby as its first director. Initially, the WAAC had no military status, but in 1943, Congress authorized women to enlist in the Army, transforming the WAAC into the Women's Army Corps (WAC), still led by Hobby.
During the war, WAC units were deployed globally, including North Africa, Europe, and the Pacific. Five training centers opened across the United States to prepare women for service. By 1945, the WAC numbered 99,000, but after Victory in Europe and Japan's surrender, many centers closed, and the numbers declined sharply. In 1948, the Women's Armed Services Integration Act allowed women to serve in all military branches officially.
The Korean War saw a resurgence of WAC activity, with women serving in hospitals, support roles, and administrative positions in Korea, Japan, and Okinawa. During the Vietnam War, WAC officers and enlisted women served in Vietnam, with notable promotions and increased rank opportunities, including the first women reaching general officer ranks in 1970. The WAC expanded significantly from 1972 to 1978 as the Army sought to maintain strength after the draft's abolition.
Beginning in the 1970s, women entered programs like ROTC and began training alongside men, with changes to their role and training standards. In 1974, WAC officers were integrated into other branches, and separate housing was gradually phased out. Women also began graduating from West Point, and a new museum to honor WAC history was established at Fort McClellan, Alabama.
In 1978, Congress disestablished the WAC as a separate corps to integrate women fully into the Army, standardizing enlistment qualifications. The 1980s and 1990s marked significant progress, including the first women graduates of West Point and deployments during the Gulf War. During this period, policies evolved to allow women to fly combat missions and serve on Navy ships, although some restrictions based on danger levels remained.