Should the military make the change to gender-neutral policies and procedures?

2015-07-15T17:23:57-04:00

With the current changes happening in the military right now - such as women in combat arms and special forces as well as removal of DADT and the abolishment of the transgender ban - should the military rewrite it's policies and procedures to include gender neutrality in word and in practice? Should all instances of "he" and "she" be changed to "soldier," "sailor," "marine," or "airman?" Should PT and grooming standards be based on the job being performed instead of gender? Is there any way to prevent sexual orientation, whether gay or straight, from becoming an issue?

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 15 at 2015 5:46 PM

2015-07-15T17:46:50-04:00

Sure, why not. Largely for the most part I see that happening already. I've said this before and I'll keep saying each branch should have one standard for PT. I think that would be a good starting point for the rest of this. How can we say men and women are no different and open all jobs to them while telling them biannually that they don't have to try as hard as men. That they don't need to be held to the same standard. As far as grooming regulations I think it's unfair for a women to take off her uniform and be indistinguishable from the civilian populace while my haircut identifies me as a Marine wherever I go. I know there are some who will say take pride in being a Marine and I do, but why shouldn't a women be as easily identifiable.

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Jul 15 at 2015 5:50 PM

2015-07-15T17:50:49-04:00

While we are focused on societal issues within our ranks, there are many plotting and planning on how to kill every Soldier/Sailor/Airman/Marine/Coast Guardsman in our ranks.

Regardless of our thoughts or feelings we are all seen as one tribe, we might ought to focus on ensuring our battle sight zero is right!

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Jul 15 at 2015 5:58 PM

2015-07-15T17:58:17-04:00

Equality is not embodied in pronouns.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jul 15 at 2015 5:59 PM

2015-07-15T17:59:20-04:00

Unless there is a very specific reason to use the words Male, Female, He, She, or some other Gender specific noun, it should be replaced with gender-neutral one. As an example, we already do this with Husband & Wife, instead using Spouse, or Service-member & Dependent.

That is not to say there are not places which are appropriate for gender-specific items, such as those related to physiologic issues, ie Medical, Grooming Standards, or Uniform related issues, but absent those, convert away from them, just like the Legal world does.

In most cases Gender is a distraction, and should just be ignored. If it is a distraction from mission, we should ignore or eliminate the distraction wherever, and whenever feasible.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Jul 15 at 2015 8:27 PM

2015-07-15T20:27:37-04:00

CPT Private RallyPoint Member The SECDEF, I thought already announced changes were on the way. Everything to do with transgender is essentially on hold until the DOD decides the way ahead.
http://www.defense.gov/Releases/Release.aspx?ReleaseID=17378

Statement by Secretary of Defense Ash Carter on DOD Transgender Policy

Over the last fourteen years of conflict, the Department of Defense has proven itself to be a learning organization. This is true in war, where we have adapted to counterinsurgency, unmanned systems,

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Jul 16 at 2015 12:55 AM

2015-07-16T00:55:18-04:00

Yes, it will take a while to update regs, etc. but I would expect the language to be updated eventually.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 16 at 2015 7:51 AM

2015-07-16T07:51:20-04:00

CPT Private RallyPoint Member I wish that we could go back to focusing on the Army's A(all other services too) mission and stop focusing on a person being gay or transgender or whatever

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Jul 16 at 2015 10:03 AM

2015-07-16T10:03:05-04:00

For once in my life, I will refrain from commenting, because I don't want to get into yet another Urinary Olympiad over this subject.

Response by SSG George Husted made Oct 28 at 2017 2:06 PM

2017-10-28T14:06:36-04:00

Exact SAME PT for all genders. No different number of push-ups, different number of sit-ups, or different times for the run. No different grooming standards or different uniforms. Do that, and I'll agree to "equality". Other than that, it's just BS. Train for war. Live as a warrior and leave the political garbage where it belongs. Anything that detracts from training for war is a distractor and there isn't time and there aren't enough resources to be prepared for war and run around chasing distractors at the same time. If you aren't preparing to WIN wars, you are just preparing to lose and die.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Oct 28 at 2017 11:56 PM

2017-10-28T23:56:49-04:00

Not PT Standards

Response by GySgt Charles O'Connell made Oct 29 at 2017 9:14 AM

2017-10-29T09:14:51-04:00

There now seem to be two gender communities, the LGBT, and the Hetrosexual (H). LGB's are easy enough to understand, but it's the T's that give me cause to ponder. For instance, if an H female (F) becomes a T, and subsequently becomes an M (male), surgically and chemically altering their bodies, having their records changed, then begins a relationship with an F, are they now in the H community? Or, if the said "new" M begins a relationship with another M, do they stay in the LGBT community as a G? Confused?

Imagine the small unit leader, on top of all the other things he/she has to do in accomplishing the mission, now has to wade navigate through this maze.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Oct 29 at 2017 10:06 AM

2017-10-29T10:06:52-04:00

1. Have to agree with the CSM. While the Military often has led social change (integration, women's equality) we are not responsible for it. Our Mission is to protect and defend the Constitution of the US, Congress is the law passer. 2. For more years than I can count the language has been leaning to title pronouns, instead of gender pronouns. 3. What the hell is the crying about- if the service member appears to be a woman, then I say Ma'am, if they look like a man, then I say Sir if out ranked, or Bud. 4. If ANYONE wants equality then they MUST meet the STANDARDS, gender PT tests need to got away, if women want to qualify for Special Forces, Rangers, Infantry, because we have to carry our own body weight in gear for miles. Also is it fair for a transgender man to show up and do the women's PT test after years of male PT tests? FINALLY- if you want to be transgender, do it before you sign up, I could not have the military pay to make me look and Arnie, or the Rock, so why should we pay for you to sit at in the barracks, non-deployable while under going hormone treatments and cosmetic surgeries? Cosmetic Surgeries mind you that normally are done only for the most serious wounded.

Response by PO3 Phyllis Maynard made Oct 29 at 2017 10:38 AM

2017-10-29T10:38:12-04:00

Why are active duty personnel dying, being maimed, facing death? I don't hear an outcry for them. It seems like a new creationist/evolutionist war about turning a human being into the opposite of how they are born is being fought and focused on more than the loved ones in harm's way who are being killed in another man's country. The world is laughing!