What's the demographic like in each military branch?

I'm a junior considering my future options, and being a part of the military is on the table. Before I jump in, I want to have a feel for the demographic of each military branch. Do the age, ethnicity, gender, etc. distribute differently for each branch?

Sure, let's take a look at each one separately. Keep in mind that this is just an overview and the exact distribution may vary slightly year by year.

U.S. Army

The Army tends to be a younger force, with the majority of active-duty personnel in their 20s. Nearly half of all enlisted soldiers are 25 or younger. In terms of gender, the Army has more women than any other service, although men still make up the majority. The Army is also fairly diverse, with a significant proportion of non-white individuals.

U.S. Navy

The average age of Navy personnel is somewhat higher than in the Army, but it still skews young. The Navy has a slightly higher proportion of women compared to the Army, and a fairly diverse ethnic makeup, with a slightly higher proportion of Asian and Pacific Islander personnel compared to other branches.

U.S. Air Force

The Air Force generally has higher education levels among its enlisted personnel compared to other branches, and a higher average age. In terms of gender, the Air Force's proportions are similar to the Navy's. Ethnic diversity in the Air Force is comparable to the other branches.

U.S. Marine Corps

The Marine Corps is the youngest of all the branches, with a much higher percentage of personnel under 25. It also has the lowest proportion of women. While it's diverse in terms of ethnicity, it has a higher proportion of Hispanic personnel compared to other branches.

U.S. Coast Guard

The Coast Guard is quite small compared to the other branches, so demographic trends can be more fluid. It tends to have a higher average age, similar to the Air Force, and a lower proportion of women. The Coast Guard is less diverse ethnically than the other branches, with a higher percentage of white personnel.

U.S. Space Force

As the newest branch of the military, the Space Force's demographics are still evolving. It's pulled largely from the Air Force, so the age and education demographics are likely similar. Its small size also means gender and ethnic demographics may shift rapidly.

In conclusion, each branch of the military has its own distinct demographics, shaped by its mission, recruitment strategies, and history. If you're considering joining, it's worth researching each branch individually to find the best fit for you.