Women in the Military | 08/17/2009 12:00 pm
Women in Uniform in Iraq, Afghanistan, Prove They're Assets in Combat Zones
It was thought having women with men in combat zones would cause chaos, too many sex problems, but females have instead helped transform life on military bases.
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At the U.S. military base Warhorse in Iraq, one can find birth control pills, gynecological services and women’s bathrooms and showers. These are just a few signs that women in uniform in combat zones are here to stay.
The New York Times has an interesting story today on how women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan have changed the way the United States goes to war, but without all the hoopla, problems with sexual relations between men and women at the camps and disruption of discipline and unit cohesion that some feared would accompany them.
The Times writes:
The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are the first in which tens of thousands of American military women have lived, worked and fought with men for prolonged periods. Wars without front lines, they have done more than just muddle the rules meant to keep women out of direct enemy contact. They have changed the way the United States military goes to war. They have reshaped life on bases across Iraq and Afghanistan. They have cultivated a new generation of women with a warrior’s ethos — and combat experience — that for millennia was almost exclusively the preserve of men.
But that doesn’t mean all is nice and rosy. Sexual harassment is still a problem, as is sexual assault — both of which often go underreported out of fear of retribution. A Pentagon report released earlier this year says one in three women soldiers will be victims of some sort of sexual assault during their service. Women are still viewed derisively sometimes, and it goes without saying they need to develop a thick skin to deal with all sorts of challenges, both on and off the battlefield. But they are clearly making their mark with their stellar performances.
"I’ve relieved males from command," said Col. Burt K. Thompson, the commander at Warhorse. "I’ve never relieved a female commander in two and a half years as commander."
Read more about: Afghanistan, Combat Zone, Iraq, Military, News, sexual harassment, U.S., Women in the Military
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36 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment
Sally, it’s not acceptable. The Army recognizes that and requires EVERYONE to go through training at least annually on what constitutes sexual harassment or discrimination, what the procedures are to report it, and what the consequences are for the perpetrator, the victim, and the unit overall. These classes are interactive and pretty blunt. There are other required annual training topics as well, but this is a big one.
Sexual harassment and assault is a big problem just about everywhere, though. Look at everything from teen "sexting" to graphic language in online chat rooms to workplace "favors" in exchange for promotions or continued employment, or even just this general expectation among young people today that they have to give sexual favors (did you see the article on "Rainbowing"?).
FWIW, I am one of the 2/3 who never had any problems. SSG Bradford’s comment in the NYT article, "You’re either a bitch, or a slut, or a dyke…" sums up what some of the men seem to think, at least until they get to know you as an individual. SSG Bradford goes on to say it helps to be a bitch. YES, absolutely, and don’t take that b-word the wrong way… men who are a-holes are the counterpart to that, and the result is that you are not particularly liked (at first) but you are respected. It also helps to be competent. You can relax and let people get to know you later, but establish yourself first. By the end of an assignment, the good troops respected me, and the slugs hated me. Good to go!
My 18 yr old G-dau -wants to enter the service, she is studing harder to pass the ASVAB at a higher score - apparently the Air Force has upped score rating for entrance. Anyone that scored 49 or lower are put on a waiting list. She doesnt want to be on a waiting list so she is studying harder to bring it up.
Her and I researched the forces for women before she made her decision for the Air Force. Sexual harrassment was ONE of the concerns: Although ALL the forces HAVE sexual harrassments - the Navy and Air Force had the lowest numbers. Army had the largest number. WE concluded, taking many considerations into factor, that Air Force would be the best for her.
My second cousin once removed - SHE joined the Army and served in Desert Storm. Her Daughter is now in the Georgia ARMY national guard- and is in Iraq right now. Neither one experienced sexual harrassment.
My third son (I had 5) entered the Marine Corps at 18 - left age 26 and signed up for the Oregon National Guards - and is a present IN Iraq till next April - he just got there.
I protested the Vietnam War when I was in college in 1969-70, then on November 7, 1972 I missed election day because I was enlisting into the Army as a WAC. I was sent to Ft McClellan, AL, then was sent to Fort Devens, MA. I had wanted to be a radio operator, but unfortuantely i almost maxed the exam. I was the first in 6 months, male or female - who did not have to be tutored and retested. I just had to lose 2 lbs to get in. I was a recruiters dream since they could count me for October and still get his bonus. I was 21 and in basic wondered why I did it, but by the time I got to Massachusetts and then to Germany, I knew.
I also knew when the Belgium Legion invited the VFW thru the American Legion to celebrate VE Day in Antwerp, Belgium. It was their way of showing appreciation for what out parents, grandparents, uncles, etc. did in order to give them democracy. The people on the trip were Vietnam Vets or Vietnam Era Vets (like me). We had the sexual assault, sexual harrassment, etc. There was also little effort to assign husband and wife together even if their training was the same or compatable. I did not go past 3 yrs, but my husband retired with 20 yrs (he had 7 years service when I met him).
I graduated from high school the summer of 1969. I was in Texas and couldn’t get to Woodstock. I also remember years later when women burned their bras.
Diana, all "dual-career" couples (both parents in the service) and all single parents MUST have a family care plan designating someone to care for the children while you are deployed, and in case you are killed. The person designated as the caregiver MUST sign a letter in the packet accepting responsibility. The care plan addresses transportation of the children, if needed, money matters, powers of attorney, and other details, as well as naming a guardian. If you cannot maintain a care plan, you are discharged from the military. In the case of couples, only one spouse needs to get out if they can’t maintain a care plan.
A soldier who gets pregnant has an opportunity to get out of the military for up to 30 days after the baby is born. If she elects to stay in service, then she must complete her commitment and prepare a care plan.
Actually, a single parent is not allowed to join the Army at all… UNLESS he/she formally gives up custody of the kids for the term of the first enlistment. And for couples with kids, only one parent can join. The family care plan only applies to soldiers already in service when they become parents.
Also, prior to 1976 (in the days of the WACs), NO woman was allowed to be pregnant in the service. No choice in the matter. As soon as you were found to be pregnant, you were discharged. But then - those were also the days when the saying, "If the Army wanted you to have a family, they’d have issued you one" was common. The military has had to be more flexible on family issues now that we are all-volunteer, and they actually do a pretty good job at it these days.
Wendy, that just may work in the workplace with over eager male co-workers… :-)