Since 2001, women have joined the armed services at higher rates with 280,000 women serving in the military.... Lt. Col. Robert Couse-Baker/U.S. Air Force. 1st Lt. Meaghan Cosand, C-5B Galaxy pilot with the 312th Airlift Squadron, starts engines in preparation for takeoff from Kadena Air Base, Japan on Aug. 15, 2014..