In the AIT training environment, is the Army worrying too much about the genders of its soldiers more than the quality of future leadership?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 25 Mar 2018 16:18:03 -0400

It’s becoming more of a challenge for both genders to learn to work together as professionals in a setting originally created to make professional soldiers and future leaders of the Army. We are taught instead to be afraid to work together. What do you think of this ever growing problem within the training environment? (AIT).

Response by SGT Russell Wickham made Mar 25 at 2018 4:42 PM

SGT Russell Wickham — Sun, 25 Mar 2018 16:42:09 -0400

For me, it wasn't just a training problem. The drama between male and female soldiers generated an environment that led to a lot of hostility. I tried to be part of the solution, but there were a lot of mixed signals all down the line, and it's going to take time to retrain a culture. You have the chance to be part of the solution as well. Keep it professional, and expect to be treated as such. Don't tolerate unprofessional behavior, learn how to report when you have to, and the army as a whole can be improved.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 25 at 2018 5:40 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 25 Mar 2018 17:40:53 -0400

Could you explain a bit more about what the "ever growing problem" in AIT is, please? I'm not sure what it is you are exactly referring to. Thanks.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Mar 25 at 2018 6:12 PM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Sun, 25 Mar 2018 18:12:10 -0400

When I went through my A I T training, we had women training with us, and they were in the same barracks, just separate from the guys, there no problems at all during training.

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Mar 25 at 2018 6:17 PM

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Sun, 25 Mar 2018 18:17:31 -0400

I think that it has become increasingly difficult for male soldiers to work around females. When a female has the power to destroy a male soldier's career just by making accusations it makes it very difficult to work around them. I think that there needs to be a revamping of the SHARP process to ensure that men are safeguarded as well. In addition, I think that we are getting away from equality. Women seem to be given all of the benefits without all of the work; with the opening of combat MOS's, should women not be held to the exact same physical standards as their male counterparts? If we want to get away from gender as an issue, I think that there need to be completely neutral policies.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 25 at 2018 7:05 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 25 Mar 2018 19:05:01 -0400

Learn the dynamics from the start.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2018 2:06 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 27 Mar 2018 14:06:02 -0400

What AIT are you in that has an "ever growing problem" of males and females working together? I'm a 35F. Coed basic and AIT we had zero issues between females and males working together. I had no issues with any of the males. The only issue is when people start hooking up with each other honestly.

Who teaches you to be afraid of each other? I am not afraid of any males nor being alone with them unless an individual male gives me a reason to be. I guess I went to AIT in 2004-05 so I don't know what it is like now.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Mar 27 at 2018 5:56 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Tue, 27 Mar 2018 17:56:08 -0400

We are damn new to the gender training- it takes time to get the ball rolling. Once all has been proven and the nay-sayers quietened about all women getting pregnant, things will work out.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2018 7:48 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 27 Mar 2018 19:48:44 -0400

Unfortunately I predicted this the moment hundreds of thousands of women, men, LGBTQ non-binary unicorn, started marching after the election of our POTUS. There is such a sensitive environment that people are more worried about pronouns vs being an all around sound soldier.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2018 11:05 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 27 Mar 2018 23:05:48 -0400

I can't say that I have seen this in the line. I think the people drive their environment. I have seen instances where a single soldier could change a dynamic. The funny part of this is that I am sure the same thing was said with they integrated other types of soldiers in the past. The only issue is how we look at it. But in general young soldiers often struggle with their professionalism. In AIT you have soldiers that in reality don't have come with a lot of experience. They are really learning how to professional. This isn't an Army issue in general. When I was a manager as a civilian we had issues there too. I do think the Army does handle much better though. I would just give it time. I am sure once you get to your unit things will level out and you will learn from other senior soldiers.