Demographics & Diversity
Which Navy rates have the most men?
TL;DR — Quick Answer
Combat-oriented and physically demanding ratings like SO, SB, EOD, BM, GM, and the Seabee construction rates have the highest male concentration, often exceeding 95%. These ratings involve heavy physical selection pipelines or have historically been male-only until recently.
The most male-dominated ratings
Special Warfare Operator (SO), Special Warfare Boat Operator (SB), and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) are nearly 100% male. These ratings have extremely demanding physical screening pipelines like BUD/S that produce high attrition rates across all demographics. Construction ratings (Seabees) including Builder (BU), Equipment Operator (EO), and Steelworker (SW) also have very high male percentages. Browse all ratings on the rate comparison page.
Surface and engineering ratings
Boatswain's Mate (BM), Gunner's Mate (GM), Fire Controlman (FC), and Machinist's Mate (MM) are traditionally male-heavy. These ratings involve heavy manual labor, weapons handling, or operating in confined engineering spaces aboard ships. The physical nature of the daily work and the historical culture of these ratings contribute to their demographics.
Submarine ratings
Submarine service only opened to enlisted women in 2015, so submarine-specific ratings like STS, ITR/ITN/ITE, ETN, and MMN still have very high male percentages. As more women volunteer and complete the submarine pipeline, these numbers are gradually shifting. The submarine community is small (roughly 13,000 enlisted sailors) and close-knit, with a strong technical focus.
Why this matters for your decision
Being in a male-dominated rating does not make it a bad choice for anyone. What matters is whether the work itself aligns with your goals. Many sailors thrive in ratings where they are a demographic minority because the work is fulfilling and the team is strong. Use the rate-matching quiz to find ratings based on your interests rather than demographics.
Useful Tools & Pages
Related Articles
Which Navy rates have the most and fewest women?
Administrative and medical ratings like HM, PS, YN, and LS have the highest female representation. Combat-oriented and physically demanding ratings like SO, SB, EOD, and BM have the lowest. The gap reflects personal choice and historical access rather than restrictions.
Read article →What is the male-to-female ratio in each Navy rate?
The Navy is approximately 80% male and 20% female overall. Individual ratings range from nearly 100% male (SO, EOD, BU) to closer to 50/50 in administrative and medical ratings (HM, PS, YN). The ratio varies significantly by community and rating type.
Read article →What are the best Navy jobs for women?
Women serve in every Navy rating. The highest-rated options by lifestyle, advancement, and civilian career potential include HM, IT, IS, YN, PS, CTI, and MC. The best rate is the one that matches your personal goals, regardless of gender.
Read article →Ready to find your rate?
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