Should the Military adopt Gender Neutral facilities like many other countries?

2016-06-25T14:55:06-04:00

Many counties have adopted gender neutral facilities. This in American culture is considered "taboo". However, with the integration of transgendered personnel into the military, instead of questioning what facilities they should use, why not transition into a gender neutral military? My response will be in the comments down below.

Response by ENS Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 25 at 2016 3:06 PM

2016-06-25T15:06:02-04:00

Segregation between races, genders, even religion beliefs has always been a part of American culture. However, we are living in a time where segregation has started to fade away..

With the integration of transgendered personnel into the military, instead of spending countless hours questioning what facility they should use, why not take a gender neutral stance? Blasphemy? Insanity? I don't seem to think it is so far fetched..

Many militaries world wide have adopted a gender neutral stance and it works out fine. The Australian Navy is one that comes to mind. Men and women use the same facilities and there isn't a problem. Their Sailors are expected to act like the adults they are and respect one another. There is no reason the American military - the world's best - can't be expected to do the same.

Understandably there would be a rough starting period, but after the first few weeks it would be widely accepted and become the norm. We already submit our servicemen and women, brothers and sisters in arms, to countless hours of training regarding sexual harassment, assault, right and wrong. There is no arguable reason that we couldn't have gender neutral facilities.

Those who violate someones right to modesty and privacy do NOT belong in the service. They should be dealt with quickly and appropriately. Sailors in the Australian Navy walk to and from shower facilities and no one pays any attention. They act like respectful adults - and I see no reason why we shouldn't expect the same from our Sailors, Soldiers, Airmen and Marines.

We are ONE service. A "gender blind" service as we've heard countless times before. You are the title you wear. There is no such thing as a "female Marine" or a "Male Sailor" - you're a Soldier, and Airmen, what-have-you. You are the uniform you wear.

Because of this, I see no reason - other than the "taboo" behind such an idea - to remain gender segregated. As previously stated, it would have a rocket start and many backlash at first, but after a few weeks it would become accepted as is everything in the military. Americans do not like change, but are naturals at accepting it after some time.

Isn't it time we start acting like the respectful adults we are - servicemen and women who are held to a higher standard? I'd love to hear your opinions.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Jun 25 at 2016 3:08 PM

2016-06-25T15:08:29-04:00

If they don't keep leaving the seat down.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 25 at 2016 3:21 PM

2016-06-25T15:21:52-04:00

I wonder why we have to worry about 3 people per thousand joining the military in droves?
The military can't even pay to keep our commissaries and the USMC has its F-18s at a 35% operational rate due to lack of spare parts and we have to rob maintenance funds to keep other parts of the military functioning. I feel that this is a waste of money and discussion.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Jun 25 at 2016 3:45 PM

2016-06-25T15:45:58-04:00

ENS Private RallyPoint Member in your response you highlighted the Australian Navy and said "Sailors are expected to act like the adults they are and respect one another." That is the basic problem - adults have sexual desires - respect is not universally understood in the same way.
Deployed forces are problematic when it come to privacy. There will be always be people who want to game the system for fun or to do evil.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 25 at 2016 3:47 PM

2016-06-25T15:47:26-04:00

I'm with Major Conway on this one. Our war fighters are incapable of performing combat actions at their full potential because their equipment is either broken or hasn't been fielded yet. This is a joke. I guess the answer is to use the bathroom that matches the parts you currently have.

Response by SFC Robert Bower made Jun 25 at 2016 3:51 PM

2016-06-25T15:51:02-04:00

NO!

Response by SFC Robert Bower made Jun 25 at 2016 3:52 PM

2016-06-25T15:52:18-04:00

I still don't agree with gay marriage, gays being allowed in the military, etc etc etc!

Response by PO2 Robert Aitchison made Jun 25 at 2016 4:01 PM

2016-06-25T16:01:09-04:00

Absolutely they should, I've been saying this for years.

And this should extend to berthing/barracks as well.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 25 at 2016 4:25 PM

2016-06-25T16:25:57-04:00

why stop at gender neutral bathroom facilities, we should not look at gender when we set up room mates in dorms or when deployed. Basic training open bay showers should just be co-Ed as well. Anyone who disagrees would be labeled a bigot and insensitive - sarcasm

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Jun 25 at 2016 4:39 PM

2016-06-25T16:39:36-04:00

It would be interesting if the barracks and showers are open spaces as they were in the past. Most males I have served with would certainly be in favor of this. :))) Maybe submarine sailors think differently.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 25 at 2016 6:10 PM

2016-06-25T18:10:00-04:00

While I do enjoy not having to wait in line to use the bathroom like women do at most events, I'm OK with it.

Response by 1LT Susan Bailey made Jun 25 at 2016 6:59 PM

2016-06-25T18:59:45-04:00

Well, at this moment in time, I'd have to say no.
1. What cultural differences exist in those countries that don't exist here that would allow for a reasonable mindset to do so? I think there are many.

2. Currently the US military have yet to prove they can adequately address sexual harassment and or sexual assault claims on a broad basis. I would feel this to be an absolute requirement before attempting such action.
3. On the whole we as a country do not possess the maturity and mutual respect for such. All you have to do is look at the headlines to see this.

Until a major cultural shift occurs in this country, I think women in particular are too vulnerable for this.

Response by SFC Robert Bower made Jun 25 at 2016 7:37 PM

2016-06-25T19:37:30-04:00

I'm an Infantryman. And as an Infantryman, I don't agree with this, gays allowed in the Army, Infantry. Sorry but that shit don't fly in Infantryland! I see alot of these Petty officers agreeing with all this crap. There's alot that goes with being in combat arms that people DO NOT UNDERSTAND and never will. Now females allowed in. .. That, WILL be a logistical nightmare! Glad I'm retired and don't have to put up with the new softer military. Making transgendered bathrooms? What a joke! That'll cost billions globally, no thanks!

Response by SFC Robert Bower made Jun 25 at 2016 7:42 PM

2016-06-25T19:42:29-04:00

There are only 2 genders, male/female... This "transgender" bullshit was incorporated by a group of tree hugging idiots then it somehow made its way, unfortunately, into the military.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 25 at 2016 7:55 PM

2016-06-25T19:55:42-04:00

Oh my. I thought that tree in the field was gender neutral.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 25 at 2016 8:49 PM

2016-06-25T20:49:16-04:00

With no offense nor any discrimination, I could foresee a lot of sexual assault by implementing this.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Jun 26 at 2016 1:17 PM

2016-06-26T13:17:08-04:00

No. we're still trying to control sexual assault and harassment in the military. We don't need to add more fuel to the fire. I look at all service members as my brothers and sisters. But I know the barracks mentality is like a prison mentality. Every barracks Marine knows when a new female is checking into the barracks. I shouldn't have to give every single new female check-in the talk to be careful, but I do because I know we still have issues that need to be corrected.

Response by SFC Joseph Weber made Jun 27 at 2016 10:37 AM

2016-06-27T10:37:20-04:00

Port a pots and holes in the woods have been gender neutral for a long time. Lot of times a sign you flip around in garrison.

Response by Sgt Christopher Wenzel made Jun 27 at 2016 1:22 PM

2016-06-27T13:22:43-04:00

No, because the female line is too damn long!

Response by SPC Sheila Lewis made Jun 28 at 2016 11:40 AM

2016-06-28T11:40:07-04:00

no.

Response by MAJ Bill Darling made Jun 28 at 2016 6:26 PM

2016-06-28T18:26:50-04:00

I'm an "all or none" type person on things of this nature. Given the changes of policy regarding the fluidity of gender (not sex) and the acceptance of homosexuals serving openly, there is little rationale or basis to segregate on sex for facilities or billeting/berthing. If a hetero man is involuntarily roomed with a homosexual man (and vice versa) then why not a hetero man and hetero woman? Separate billeting for women in the Army has always been a logistical pain in the ass, as far as wasted space and rooming assignment and given the proclamations of equality of the pro-women-in-the-military feminist crowd, and given the assertions that policy and leadership will cure all ills I'm not sure why we still insist on segregating all these years later. Could it be that sex is immutable and there are indeed physiological differences between the sexes?