Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services
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Purpose
A Civil Affairs candidate from the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, low crawls under barbed wire on a Leader Reaction Course as part of a Civil Affairs Assessment and Selection course at Camp Mackall, North Carolina February 5, 2023. The course assessed candidates for trainability and suitability to attend the Civil Affairs Team Leader or the Civil Affairs Noncommissioned Officer pathway and allowed the Civil Affairs Proponent to select candidates for attributes and competencies required to be a member of a Civil Affairs Team. (U.S.Army photo by K. Kassens)​​
Vision

The Virginia Air National Guard’s 192nd Medical Group Detachment 1 tested a new tent system to prepare for an external evaluation during April’s regularly scheduled drill in Richmond, Virginia. Further training was accomplished during a collective training event with Virginia and District of Columbia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen May 15-25 in Virginia Beach where the EXEVAL was conducted. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Kellyann Elish)

Mission

Gunner’s Mate 3rd Class Madison Rafferty, from Jacksonville, Illinois, prepares ammo for a .50 caliber machine gun prior to a crew serve weapons live-fire familiarization aboard Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John Finn (DDG 113). John Finn is assigned to Commander, Task Force 71/Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy’s largest forward-deployed DESRON and U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Samantha Oblander)​

New York

Sgt. Haley Riley, an avenger crewmember with 1-265th Air Defense Artillery Battalion secures a light medium tactical vehicle (LMTV) in preparation for Hurricane Idalia relief efforts in high water. The Florida Army National Guard is proactive and ready, we are part of a larger team, and stand ready to assist. (Photo by Sgt. Elizabeth Strople)

Mission

U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Ikea Kaufman, a drill instructor at Marine Corps Recruiting Depot San Diego, teaches a poolee how to guide a platoon at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, San Diego, California, March 11, 2023. The all-female pool function is led by recruiters and drill instructors to prepare women in Southern California in the delayed entry program mentally and physically for boot camp. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Sgt. Ariana Lippert/Released)

Mission

Lt. Kira Dabrowski, Commanding Officer of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Terrapin (WPB 87366) poses for a photo at Tracy Arm, Alaska, May 12, 2023. The cutter was on route to return to its homeport. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Ilian Borrero-Aguirre)

OVERVIEW

The Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services (DACOWITS) is composed of civilian women and men appointed by the Secretary of Defense to provide advice and recommendations on matters and policies relating to the recruitment, retention, employment, integration, well-being, and treatment of women in the Armed Forces of the United States.

DACOWITS gathers information from multiple sources, to include briefings and written responses from Defense Department, Service-level military representatives, and subject matter experts. In addition, the Committee collects qualitative data from focus groups and interactions with Service members during installation visits. To evenly distribute the research, the Committee is structured into three subcommittees: Recruitment and Retention, Employment and Integration, and Well-Being and Treatment. Based upon the data collected and analyzed, the Committee submits recommendations and continuing concerns via a comprehensive report to the Secretary of Defense.

As one of the oldest Defense Department advisory committees, DACOWITS’ recommendations have historically been instrumental in effecting changes to laws and policies pertaining to military women. Since 1951, the Committee has submitted over 1,100 recommendations to the Secretary of Defense for consideration. As of 2025, approximately 94% have been either fully or partially adopted by the Department.

 

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