So to the barracks, do you think that male and females should be on the same floor without separation other than different rooms?

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 31 Jan 2015 09:27:04 -0500

Also, do you think that there should always be a CQ on duty?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 31 at 2015 9:32 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 31 Jan 2015 09:32:36 -0500

I think that would be okay, in my opinion.

Response by SFC Vernon McNabb made Jan 31 at 2015 9:42 AM

SFC Vernon McNabb — Sat, 31 Jan 2015 09:42:38 -0500

SHARP will truly be tested!

Response by MAJ Monique Ruiz made Jan 31 at 2015 11:07 AM

MAJ Monique Ruiz — Sat, 31 Jan 2015 11:07:01 -0500

I've been in a position like this going through training right before I commissioned. We all slept on the same floor and only a curtain divided our sleeping areas (females in rooms with the door open at the back of the floor, males in the open bay area). When the females were changing, we would shut our doors but had to open them immediately after. We shared a bathroom with a sign you had to flip over to say what gender was occupying the latrine. The hardest time was when some guys wanted to take midnight showers and females had to wait on the steps (it's from all the water we drank all day). No SHARP complaints though. We were all adults that respected each other, knew the rules and consequences, and it worked out well...yes we did have a fire guard. It's very useful to help prevent inappropriate incidents.

Response by SGT Steven Eugene Kuhn MBA made Jan 31 at 2015 11:50 AM

SGT Steven Eugene Kuhn MBA — Sat, 31 Jan 2015 11:50:45 -0500

never had this issue in the 80s and 90s as there were no females in combat arms but a few of us were known to use the windows for entrance and exit of the female barracks...so just put them on the same floor and we save the broken window frames!

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 31 at 2015 12:32 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 31 Jan 2015 12:32:27 -0500

There is a certain point where we have to trust in our soldiers to take care of each other. I think the longer we separate females by location or different standards I think the military as a whole will keep treating females as glass or "different" and not the team members they can be and have been.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Jan 31 at 2015 12:32 PM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Sat, 31 Jan 2015 12:32:53 -0500

The Reserve unit I was with it was this way. Also we only had one latrine, so times were worked out for the showers, and the guys didn't use the urinals, everyone used the stalls. We had no problems, everyone respected everyone else.

Response by CW3 Chuck Huddleston made Jan 31 at 2015 12:45 PM

CW3 Chuck Huddleston — Sat, 31 Jan 2015 12:45:18 -0500

I don't know, probably OK....I would think what's more important is are you going to give the gays their own floor?

Response by MSgt Michael Durkee made Jan 31 at 2015 1:43 PM

MSgt Michael Durkee — Sat, 31 Jan 2015 13:43:57 -0500

Living in the dorms at RAF Lakenheath in the late 80's , we had two men in one room and two men in another with a shower and comode in between each room. The same was said for the females, we all got along just fine. No pandemonium :)

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 31 at 2015 2:19 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 31 Jan 2015 14:19:40 -0500

People manage to live in apartments without floors being designated make only or female only. Not saying make makes and females roommates, but floors being serrated shouldn't be an issue.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 31 at 2015 2:36 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 31 Jan 2015 14:36:23 -0500

I do appreciate all the responses. It wasn't t say that one's opinion was better than other, just like to have insight to everyone's opinion. I see both pros and cons of this situation.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 31 at 2015 3:16 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 31 Jan 2015 15:16:52 -0500

The way newer barracks are set up I do not see the need to separate by floors anymore SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member.

I am torn on the whole Barracks CQ. It seems unnecessary with all Leaders having cell phones and top Leadership having Blackberries Not to mention with the draw down it is going to be harder to man all of these duties.

I believe that there needs to be a newly devised plan for assuming duties. We are in a transitional period and some younger Leaders need to bring in new ideas and spark a change.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 31 at 2015 5:28 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 31 Jan 2015 17:28:30 -0500

I'm all for it. If there are Soldiers that can't handle it or do the wrong thing then they should get a one way ticket home.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jan 31 at 2015 7:11 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Sat, 31 Jan 2015 19:11:17 -0500

In the Marines, we had Males & Females on the same floor.

But here's the deal. If there are men and women on the same base, it doesn't matter if they are separated by a barracks, a floor, or a room.

What stops "untoward behavior" is the presence of another soldier in the room.

Now, as for having a "Firewatch" on duty. I treat it as a safety concern. You have 100-300 people in relatively close quarters. It's just a good idea to have 1-2 additional people on staff to keep an eye out in case things go south, or to pass word as things happen.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2015 1:36 AM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 01 Feb 2015 01:36:38 -0500

I think they should let females and males be mixed together in the barracks (not in the same room, same floors). The reason for this is that in the military males and females work together constantly. Allowing people in the unit to get used to the opposite gender being there just makes sense. Also, I have seen barracks where they try to have separate male and female floors and it doesn't work. People will go on the other floors no matter what.

To answer your question about having a CQ. Yes, I think there should be a CQ in every barracks. Soldiers can do some really dumb things and I think the CQ can moderate some of those things.

Response by SPC David S. made Feb 1 at 2015 2:28 AM

SPC David S. — Sun, 01 Feb 2015 02:28:49 -0500

Hell I spent most of my time sleeping in the back of a HUMVEE. If I could of slept in a barrack a dang gorilla could have been my roomie. I think this might become a necessity if the Army moves forward with integrating females into combat arms. This might get a little tricky as there is not a lot of privacy out in the field.

Response by SSgt Rilene Ann made Feb 1 at 2015 2:34 AM

SSgt Rilene Ann — Sun, 01 Feb 2015 02:34:02 -0500

I was active 76-81 USAF males and females different floors no CQ. We did well. One floor female two floors male. Men could come on our floor to visit and women could visit their floor. Worked good, but dont like mixed floors but we had community showers till reached NCO.

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Feb 1 at 2015 8:32 AM

MAJ Javier Rivera — Sun, 01 Feb 2015 08:32:43 -0500

Many years ago I was the only male (and NCO) in the females floor. No issues at all but total order.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2015 8:55 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 01 Feb 2015 08:55:00 -0500

I have dealt with this many times. The first time I was at Bragg. I was in the 525th MI as an Infantry Scout. We had the third floor and some of the second. We were the only infantry unit in the MI brigade. They have many females. They were also on the second floor. I don't recall any being on my floor. It was never an issue that I knew of.

Later I had to sure an open bay with an MP platoon. It was more awkward for me than for them. I was infantry for many years and I was more worried about drawing any attention. I went to a rack in the corner and went to sleep. Later on a NCO was reduced and discharged for a shape incident from that platoon.

At OCS I shocked the Instructors there. We had to set up a Patrol Base overnight and I made the females set up their own. I was more thinking of playing it safe. The Female cadre corrected me for doing that. She went into the Patrol Base and a male soldier mistook her for another female officer candidate and came up from behind and put his arm around her. Once he realized that she was a CPT and not who he thought it was too late. She looked at me and I just shrugged. She realized what I was trying to prevent.

More so recently I was at Fort Dix. We had males and females in our barracks on the same floor. I was told that I couldn't wear my Ranger Panties to the bathroom for the fear of getting a sharp complaint. I was floored. After I saw one wearing something similar I busted mine out.

With all of that being side I don't see an issue with it. We all should maintain a certain level of professionalism. If one is known for lacking professionalism while in the barracks they should be handled accordingly. Cat calling in the B's is about as unprofessional as you can go. But if they are not there it makes things so much simpler. That is why I choose the infantry.

Response by Cadet 4th Class Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2015 5:12 PM

Cadet 4th Class Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 01 Feb 2015 17:12:39 -0500

Collages do it, why shouldn't the military? Besides it might make some guys wash their pile of dirty pt gear every now and again. As long as the doors lock and there's someone on duty I don't see this becoming an issue and if someone does object you can have one or two floors that are one gender only. This is assuming there are bathrooms for both genders on the same floor, otherwise that could be a source of issues.

Response by MAJ(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2015 5:18 PM

MAJ(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 01 Feb 2015 17:18:05 -0500

It depends on the environment. I say yes to all situations other than BCT. In BCT, it's a situation that's primarily civilians getting introduced to the Army. They haven't proven if they are Soldier worthy yet. With that noted, the separation helps keep all parties safe and avoids unwanted situations.

After such, remain professional and carry on.

Maybe in 100 years it'll be like Starship Troopers.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2015 5:31 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 01 Feb 2015 17:31:49 -0500

I don't see a problem with the same floor, SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member, as long as there are separate rooms and separate latrines. I'm guessing many units would not have the space to set aside an entire floor for females/males.

And, yes, I think there should be a CQ on duty at all times. That person is there to deal with problems, to watch over things, etc. Maybe to deal with a problem that arises because men and women are on the same floor of the barracks.

Response by SGT Jim Z. made Feb 1 at 2015 5:36 PM

SGT Jim Z. — Sun, 01 Feb 2015 17:36:59 -0500

With the new style barracks I have seen being built around Bragg I do not see the need to separate men from women. CQ in my opinion is also harder since access is exterior and therefore harder to police than the older barracks where you walked in and had to sign in at the CQ desk.

Response by SFC Nikhil Kumra made Feb 2 at 2015 7:42 AM

SFC Nikhil Kumra — Mon, 02 Feb 2015 07:42:29 -0500

It's funny... In the civilian world... We call that ... "normal, adult living"... Wild concept, you have an apt, and both males... and females are on the same floor... I can honestly say that to my disdain I have not gotten everybody on my floor pregnant yet.

With that, with the appropriate privacy conditions, I don't see why not. Now the whole "shared bathroom" thing? That needs to go (if it hasn't already) if this were to work.

But of course... OF COURSE, there will be lots of ... stuff going on... You've got a bunch of 18 - 25 year old kids in a building, an Army-wide culture of relaxed regulations and individualism, and a CQ who, let's face it, could care less in many cases - you're going to get A LOT of issues.

But it's cool... as long as you don't have tattoos....

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2015 9:00 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Feb 2015 09:00:14 -0500

On the CO-ED idea - for it. Like my other posts on this subject other militaries do it. Even in a open bay. More Soldiers mean more eyes and less things to go wrong. If they do go wrong, send the offender out of the military with the harshes sentence that makes them want to leave the country. We allow same sex, no sex, some sex, and every other sex next to each other, why would anything be different with the opposite sex?

Just because there is another woman next to a Soldier doesn't induce a SHARP violation. Yes, there are bad people in a 2.7 million military. Hold them accountable.

On to the CQ - eh, I'm fore it. It actually trains discipline, delegation, on a minor scale. In war environment of 24 hour OPs is just built upon the CQ mentality. It does suck to do it on Christmas and New Years (in Dress Uniform).

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 11 at 2016 3:23 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 Jan 2016 15:23:03 -0500

There will be issues regardless of placement on barracks floors.

Response by SFC Pete Kain made Jan 11 at 2016 3:26 PM

SFC Pete Kain — Mon, 11 Jan 2016 15:26:45 -0500

If all jobs are equal....what's the problem, be equal. Or is that now a problem?

Response by Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth made Jan 12 at 2016 4:44 PM

Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 16:44:17 -0500

I am old school but I guess it would be ok. Set the standards and expectations and when they are disobeyed , like any other order, drop the doggone hammer hard especially on the first one that breaks the rules. After the first two or three the barracks lawyers will be spreading the word like wildfire and you won't have a problem. Train like you fight and fight like you train!!! Ain't nobody got time for that!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 25 at 2016 5:28 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 25 Jan 2016 17:28:37 -0500

My first unit was a MEDDAC. In the barracks they had male and females sharing the same floors. Everyone got along fine. We were also sharing the barracks with the MPs so I don't know if that might have effected things.
In regards to a CQ, I feel there should always be one. The main part of their job is the security of the building/area and the safety of everyone inside. In addition, if soldiers in one room are getting too rowdy with their partying, neighbors can go ask the CQ desk to intervene without fear of reprisal.

Response by SPC Anna Larson made Jan 26 at 2016 10:27 AM

SPC Anna Larson — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 10:27:09 -0500

Honestly, after basic, I thought that's how all the military was. My AIT was at Walter Reed AMC and all the trainees, male and female shared the same floor. Then I was sent to Ft. Huachuca from 1993 through 1996 the men and women were on the same floor in the barracks with female rooms and male rooms. It wasn't a problem then and I don't understand why it would be a problem now.

Response by SPC Robert Hooks made Feb 7 at 2016 2:34 PM

SPC Robert Hooks — Sun, 07 Feb 2016 14:34:00 -0500

Hell when I was stationed there in 88, we all men and women stayed on the same floor in different rooms... Well Sometimes >>>>>

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 23 at 2016 11:08 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 23 Apr 2016 11:08:31 -0400

That is how college was. Adults being adults.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Jul 10 at 2017 2:29 PM

SGT Dave Tracy — Mon, 10 Jul 2017 14:29:41 -0400

Hmm...a bit of an old topic, but I'll jump in; though I'm late to the game.

I don't think sharing the same floor is a bad idea; but that's as far as I would go. I would not be in favor of same barracks rooms, co-ed bays, etc.

I had this discussion once with another older soldier and my buddy's premise was that if (young) men and women are on the same floor you might have more issues with sexual harassment than the Army already has, and it would lend itself to all kinds of "shenanigans"*. I'm not so convinced about the 1st being any worse, but would agree on the 2nd, but what consenting grown adults do among themselves aint my business. Depending on what goes down, it may be the Army's business, fair enough, but even the most immature SM is still an adult with privileges and responsibilities.

As for CQ, I'd keep CQ. It helps monitor what is happening, may help those in need of assistance and may dissuade some people from doing some dumb things. Besides, sometimes in the military you just have to pull long duty; it's good mind-set practice. Downrange, you could be on patrol for days or manning a post for hours on end. A 24 hour shift sitting at a desk isn't so bad by comparison now is it?

*Just to be clear, "shenanigans" is an equal opportunity term. When I pulled CQ I knew women could and occasionally did act in impulsive, immature ways like the guys would, so I aint trying to come off as sexist in that regard.

Hell, talk about "shenanigans" I was on CQ one night walking the building and had one female soldier invite me in for some cookies she just baked. Perfectly innocent offer. Barracks soldiers often gave a slice of pizza, a Redbull, a magazine or something to CQ to be nice.

As soon as I stepped into her room, she came on to me hard. 0-60 in no time flat. I saw her around but I didn't know her. That was decidedly unusual in my experience. Sure it was good for my ego--no, GREAT for my ego!--but that was about it, and I was out of there quick, fast and in a hurry! I know others have more interesting stories, but that was probably the most interesting thing that ever happened to me personally on CQ or staff duty. LOL!

Sad part wasn't that I was propositioned, it was that she actually DID make cookies, and I left without get any. Seriously. ;-)

Response by SPC Dawn Appelberg (Johnson) made Sep 23 at 2017 3:49 PM

SPC Dawn Appelberg (Johnson) — Sat, 23 Sep 2017 15:49:52 -0400

CQ needs to be on duty at ALL times. I have seen some glorious stuff in my day due to a lax CQ to include my own owning of a cat in the barracks. As for the male and female separation - both barracks I lived in where there was no floor separation ended up with the highest drama, pregnancy, and fights. Not worth it.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Sep 24 at 2017 11:40 AM

LTC Jason Mackay — Sun, 24 Sep 2017 11:40:02 -0400

The male/female floor would depend on the Barracks layout, I would generally say yes separating male and female is a generally good thing.

Hell yes there needs to be a CQ/runner at company level and staff Duty at all levels above Company.

What the Corps of Engineers needs to do is to design a barracks around a CQ keeping control of it. There were some hippie dippie barracks built in the 90s that absolutely couldn't be controlled. Straight hallways, line of sight to the doorways, secured primary entry, exterior physical security, lighting, HVAC that works with compartmentalized space.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Sep 24 at 2017 11:42 AM

SGM Erik Marquez — Sun, 24 Sep 2017 11:42:18 -0400

Signed on the dotted line as adults.
Point over > there and tell them there room is in that building.
Deal with issues ruthlessly IF they come up
Stop trying to do "Pre Crime" fixes

Response by SPC Juli Reid made Sep 24 at 2017 1:07 PM

SPC Juli Reid — Sun, 24 Sep 2017 13:07:29 -0400

I don't think it should be a problem. CQ or not, that can be gotten around if mischief is afoot. When I was stationed in Germany, we had mixed barracks and we were on the same floors. There would have been half empty floors otherwise. We didn't have many issues because of it.

My barracks had one shared latrine and the shower room had a door that locked so we never had an issue there either.

Response by SPC John Weathers made Sep 24 at 2017 8:41 PM

SPC John Weathers — Sun, 24 Sep 2017 20:41:23 -0400

We had one floor (2nd) in one barracks that was coed at Muna Kaserne in 1978/79. There was a guard posted in the breezeway at the top of the stairs who could look down the hallway. Left side was female right side was male.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 24 at 2017 9:36 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 24 Sep 2017 21:36:49 -0400

When we deployed for the invasion of Iraq back in 2003, I remember being in a huge tent with nothing but cots with everyone sleeping in the same place prior to rolling north. I don't see an issue with it and I think as others have already said, if anyone creates a serious issue, they need to be handled appropriately under UCMJ or criminal law. We're all adults. We're all in the same military. I don't see why it should matter who you bunk with as long as everyone remains professional.

Not to mention, the Army could actually save money instead of having to build specific living facilities for both genders. Just mix everyone together and leave it at that - like Starship Troopers (maybe without the shower thing, of course.)

Also, I firmly believe the practice of maintaining a watch/CQ every night in Army barracks/living areas should be maintained. It's an extra level of protection in case something happens - there's someone there who can either help or call emergency services.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 3 at 2017 6:46 PM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 03 Dec 2017 18:46:34 -0500

YES