Women warriors: Soldiers discuss role of females in the military

By Lauren Moore and Anna Lewinska-Kopper (USAG Wiesbaden)August 17, 2011

Women warriors: Soldiers discuss role of females in the military
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Women warriors: Soldiers discuss role of females in the military
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WIESBADEN, Germany - Since Deborah Sampson disquised herself to impersonate a man in order to join the U.S. Army in 1782, American women have been revolutionizing the military.

Just as in the civilian world where women have continued to expand their career opportunities joining men as top chief executive officers and in occupations across the spectrum, the U.S. Army has been no exception.

"It's changed a lot already," said 5th Signal Command's Sgt. 1st Class Carmella Rivera, who has served in the military for two decades. "We are like equals now (with men). They've accepted us. When we first came into the Army they were like, 'Oh I've got [that equipment] for you.' And now they're like 'OK " you've got it.'"

Despite the dramatic changes in the roles of female Soldiers, many are still reluctant to see women in permanent combat roles.

"Personally as a female, I'd be against women joining the front line. The equipment isn't really made for women " the ruck gave me a bulged disk," said Pfc. Stephany Lout, an intelligence analyst administrator with the 66th Military Intelligence Brigade. "I'm all gung-ho for women's rights, but I don't think they can handle the frontline. We just aren't built the same."

Spc. Joseph Gilbert, 557th Medical Company, echoed Lout's sentiments. "My opinion is that women shouldn't be on the front line. Women are more emotional creatures than men. If they saw all the bloodshed and war, they couldn't handle it the same way men could."

"Some men can't handle it mentally," said Sgt. Ronald Whiting. "You can have stress here or downrange. To be honest, women, can do their job. So I'd be OK with them on the frontline. I've been downrange, and women can shoot just as well as men."

Master Sgt. Howard Dejean of the 5th Signal Command who was analyzing the shooting training by Maj. Tammy Howell, said, "She actually outshot the guy over there. After doing this job I can see there is no real difference."

"There is no difference," said Rivera. "The competition is the same. Actually, women compete harder than the men just to prove we can stand beside them."

"I think it'd be a good experience, but I could see a lot of problems that would come with it (women in combat units)," said Spc. Paige Burch, "such as power struggles and competition between the sexes that could interfere with our jobs."

"I don't believe women should be in the front line," said Staff Sgt. Ursino Ayala-Aponte, 66th MI Brigade. "They can't carry the same weight we do."

"Testing should be done for men and women and if you qualify, you should get to go, said Sgt. Yanina Sifuentes. "I want to go. This is what I signed up for. I didn't enlist as a male or female Soldier, I signed up to defend my country."

Whether official or not, change has already begun with the U.S.'s continued involvement in Afghanistan and Iraq. Many women have seen combat and have engaged the enemy.

"I have no problem with women going on the line. I was with 3rd Infantry Division when we moved into Iraq in 2006. It was the most memorable experience of my life," said Howell.

 "I have been to combat and was a project manager in southwest Asia," said Capt. Laiza Correa, 2nd Signal Brigade. "We need to incorporate everybody. I think women are equally as capable as men. Being on the frontline can be stressful for anybody, no matter gender."

Sharing the pros, cons of serving as military women

WIESBADEN, Germany - They are military pilots and police; they disarm mines; and they patrol dangerous areas outside their bases. They command missile units, fighter squadrons and space shuttles. They are held as prisoners of war and they die in battle.

Recent history has shown that women can hold their own in combat, but discussion about allowing women to serve in all military occupational specialties continues.

Currently there are more than 213,000 women serving in the armed forces, about 15 percent of the total according to information at the Women's Memorial in Washington, D.C. Most " 72,000 " are Army members.

Very often motivated by patriotic ideals, they join the armed forces to serve their country and make a contribution to the nation. They also long for adventure and some adrenaline; they want to travel round the globe and gain respect.

Like men, they also join for the stability of the job. While other Americans are losing their jobs, Soldiers enjoy regular pay checks and salaries which increase with their rank and years of service. Military pay is equal for both sexes, unlike in the private sector where a pay gap still exists.

 

Moving up the ranks

Master Sgt. Renee Baldwin, a 19-year veteran, can look back on becoming the first female first sergeant for V Corps' Headquarters and Headquarters Company in 2007. "It's been the most challenging and memorable job I've had."

As first sergeant she was the right hand of the unit's commander. She was involved in everything from barracks inspections to disciplinary issues " with long working hours.

"I'd recommend the military for women as a great place to learn professional skills which are pretty hard to get and highly demanded in the civilian world too, like mechanics, engineering, logistics and medicine," said Sgt. Maj. Teri Battle Bankhead, a 25-year experienced Soldier with two masters degrees. "There's also a clear promotion system, and it is all up to you really."

Sgt. 1st Class Billi Mitchell, a Wiesbaden communications technician with 15 years in the Army, said, "I just got selected to get my own detachment."

Her skills and efforts have paid off, but it hasn't come without sacrifice. Mitchell is a single mother and had to leave her 6-month-old child with her father and his wife while she was deployed to Iraq.

Mitchell said she is most proud of having worked in the White House in the Communication Agency, spending five years providing communication for the Secret Service, media and the presidential staff.

"The Army organizational culture promotes an environment that is focused on masculinity," said Lt. Col. Yvonne Doll, an associate professor of military leadership at the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kan. "Although the United States military was one of the first organizations to allow women and minority ethnicities equal status and equal pay, the Army still faces equity challenges with respect to promotion and advancement opportunities for women and minorities."

"Some things may take a little longer," said Baldwin. "Some male Soldiers may challenge their female bosses or make 'jokes' before they follow orders, while with a male boss above them, they just do it without any questioning."

"There is some prejudice," added Bankhead. "Being a boss, sometimes you have to put your big shoes on. Some males just don't like a female in charge of them. You have to let them know who is in charge."

Negative experiences

"Women in the military cause more drama and problems," said Jessica (she asked that her last name not be used), who has served for 10 years and said she can't wait to get out because of medical reasons. "I joined the Army because I wanted to contribute something for my country."

Relating how shortly after she and her husband both joined the military, they were sent to bases far apart " Jessica to Georgia and her husband to Alaska " their marriage didn't pass the test of distance and separation. "They put him in lodging with single Soldiers. … He started cheating on me with his roommate's sister."

More bitter experiences came during deployments to Kuwait and Iraq. "Housing conditions for single Soldiers were really bad. I saw people getting married only because it was a chance to move out of the barracks and go to better housing."

Although she was a skilled computer specialist, her duties were often completely unrelated to the profession, she said. "My task was filling up generators with diesel. It demanded lots of physical strength. I smelt like diesel for months. But I always tried to do my job the best possible.

"For the Army it doesn't matter if you are a tiny girl," she said. "You have to lift heavy objects, too, if this is what your supervisors demand. I had to do it often. The military neglects natural physiological differences between men and women. Even the gear is designed for an average sized man. It fits a guy but not me. Gear which is not designed for women harms our health and leaves us women unable to fulfill our tasks and defend ourselves in battle."

While the Army is already developing a woman's combat uniform and the Army Uniform Board will vote this fall whether to adopt it, it remains to be seen whether this will solve the problems experienced by women Soldiers.

"The military broke me," she said. "All the injures I got during my combatives, at work, lack of adequate gear and a personalized PT caused serious neck and shoulder disorders, and I have to depend on medical treatment now."

Proud of contributions

Sgt. 1st Class Mikki Wente, a chaplain's assistant with 15 years in the military, said she is proud of her contributions to the military " especially her deployment to Afghanistan, providing spiritual and psychological support to Soldiers in the war zone. "People become more spiritual when they are in the desert, isolated, far away from their families and home. It meant a lot for the Soldiers bringing them God and religious services. It was a big morale boost that gave them strength."

"I have to be a mother, father and psychiatrist for young Soldiers who often just s cannot take care of themselves properly," said Bankhead. "The nicest thing for me is to see them grow and get promoted."

Combat limitations

Women are still prohibited from some combat-related jobs, limiting their promotion opportunities. However, it may only be matter of time. At the beginning of this year, the Military Leadership Diversity Commission recommended to Congress and President Barack Obama to allow women access to these jobs.

"Female Soldiers are, on average, shorter and smaller than men, with 45-50 percent less upper body strength and 25-30 percent less aerobic capacity, which is essential for endurance," according to the Center for Military Readiness. Others argue that the presence of females could negatively affect the cohesion in combat units.

Sexual harassment and assault are negative aspects of mixing male and female warriors, despite ongoing efforts by the military to stamp out this criminal behavior.

Baldwin, a Sexual Harassment and Assault Response and Prevention specialist in her unit, conducts obligatory training sessions for Soldiers and civilian personnel.

The Army is currently carrying out a campaign called I. A.M. Strong, the message of which is: "As Soldiers, we are duty bound to Intervene, Act and Motivate others to stop sexual assaults and the sexually offensive language and gestures that create an environment friendly to this abuse." (Anna Lewinska-Kopper is a military spouse and volunteer with the U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden Marketing Office.)

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