What year did all officer career fields and enlisted ratings open to women?

• A. 1978
• B. 1980
• C. 1972
• D. 1969

Answer: (A)

Opening all officer career fields and enlisted ratings to women represents the point at which gender-based restrictions on where women could serve were removed across the military. In the years leading up to it, the services expanded opportunities—women entered more occupations, were admitted to service academies and officer programs, and took on roles previously off-limits. By 1978, a comprehensive policy change eliminated remaining barriers, making every job, for which a woman qualified, available to her in every branch. That’s why 1978 is the correct year: it marks the official, nationwide opening of all careers to women, not just selective fields. Earlier years broadened access in parts of the force, but 1978 is the milestone when all assignments were open.