The boot camp gender divide: The case for co-ed training

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Mon, 03 Aug 2015 17:15:58 -0400

http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/story/military/2015/08/03/boot-camp-gender-divide-case-co-ed-training/30884655/

Presented as is.

As military leaders face the looming decision to open all jobs to women, one base in the Marine Corps continues to segregate new enlistees by gender— and there are no plans to change that.

Response by SGT James Elphick made Aug 3 at 2015 6:11 PM

SGT James Elphick — Mon, 03 Aug 2015 18:11:21 -0400

This is interesting and something I hadn't even considered. Coming from Army Infantry I just assumed when women entered combat arms they would enter our boot camps too. In the Army your training duty station has to do with your job rather than geographic location (or in the case of Parris Island, gender). I have wondered though what integrated training looks like (we only had one latrine in basic, do integrated units have male/female latrines?). Definitely a new logistical challenge to add to the others. Also, a final thought, I think it would be beneficial to integrate the boot camps IF it is decided that women will ultimately be allowed in combat arms as it would more accurately represent the fleet.

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Aug 3 at 2015 6:29 PM

Cpl Jeff N. — Mon, 03 Aug 2015 18:29:29 -0400

Another bad idea. Which standards will we adopt or are we going for integrated and unequal. Things have been working pretty well for the Corps so far. Let's try not to screw this up too.

Response by GySgt Lloyd LaGrange made Aug 25 at 2015 2:37 PM

GySgt Lloyd LaGrange — Tue, 25 Aug 2015 14:37:20 -0400

TO KEEP the integrity OF THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS COMBAT readiness IT SHOULD REMAIN OUR policy NOT allowing WM's into Combat MOS's namely the 0300 field No matter WHAT !!! This Gender divide SHOULD not be broached!! There ARE many Reg's in place FOR MARINES , by MARINES to KEEP OUR MARINE CORPS the Greatest Fighting force the WORLD has ever known. If other branches are trying OR doing so, let them. The United States MARINE Corps IS UNIQUE !!! If it's not broke, WHY try and fix it.

Response by TSgt Marco McDowell made Aug 25 at 2015 6:59 PM

TSgt Marco McDowell — Tue, 25 Aug 2015 18:59:03 -0400

No...just no. I've experienced the Corps and the Air Force and can assure you that the product produced via the respective basics are far different at their core...and it's not just training,it's indoctrination. Male and female Drill Instructors break down Marine recruits of their respective genders in ways that only Marines understand. No distractors, no love interests, no gigglefarts.. I'm surprised the AF still is co-ed with their TIs considering the chaos they've endured as of late. Single gender basic is needed to break and mold, you can do all the equality building at MCT or A-school/tech school. Basic training? No, sometimes men need to be with men and women need to be with women to get a job done. Daydreaming about girls was enough at PI, I'd would've lost my mind seeing them everyday lol.

Response by Maj Chris Clark made Aug 25 at 2015 7:12 PM

Maj Chris Clark — Tue, 25 Aug 2015 19:12:32 -0400

Years ago, women wanted to enlist in the Corps to try to become Marines so they were allowed to do so. We gave them an avenue namely boot camp and now people, the vast majority of which are not Marines want things to change in the name of equality. Get a life. Years ago, the females in the Corps wanted to be taken more seriously so they asked to change their physical fitness test to require them to run 3 miles so now they run 3 miles. They are reviewing how to incorporate the pull up into the female physical fitness test and I believe they will eventually do it. When the Corps decides it no longer makes sense to separate female and male boot camp it will make the change. I can't see a reason to change just to be PC.

Response by Capt Terry Fillmore made Aug 25 at 2015 7:19 PM

Capt Terry Fillmore — Tue, 25 Aug 2015 19:19:43 -0400

I joined because I wanted to see if I could handle the toughest military boot camp. If I had seen posters of men and women training together, I would not have joined up.

Response by Capt Terry Fillmore made Aug 25 at 2015 7:37 PM

Capt Terry Fillmore — Tue, 25 Aug 2015 19:37:10 -0400

In 1983, I was TAD to Fort McLellan, Alabama, and I observed army co-ed training. All I could do was shake my head. It looked ridiculous.

Response by Cpl Don "GUNNY" Miller made Aug 26 at 2015 11:03 AM

Cpl Don "GUNNY" Miller — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 11:03:21 -0400

NO co-ed they have been separate for over a hundred years LEAVE IT THAT WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Response by Sgt Mike Mars made Aug 26 at 2015 2:28 PM

Sgt Mike Mars — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 14:28:49 -0400

after serving in the marine for a time and having participate in the strongman sport women are just as tough and roughed as the males. however boot camp should still remain divided. drill instruct already have their hands fully turning the new generation of video gamers into hard corps marines, they don't need to worry about who got who knocked up. one may laugh, but where theres a will there is away.

Response by SSgt Terry P. made Aug 27 at 2015 3:00 PM

SSgt Terry P. — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 15:00:02 -0400

There is no reason for co-ed boot that makes any kind of sense,it only adds to problems and can only be seen as some political stance on being PC. BS needs to cease.

Response by CWO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 2 at 2015 11:46 PM

CWO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 23:46:17 -0400

A good divide. Boot camp should always remain gender separated!

Response by SGT David T. made Sep 3 at 2015 11:55 AM

SGT David T. — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 11:55:13 -0400

We had an old saying "train as you fight". I have served in coed units and have observed this first hand. Men and women shared the same tents. Usually the females would erect a barrier made from a poncho to block themselves when changing. We never had a single incident in any of the units where this happened. If we want a cohesive force we need to be one team working together. I understand some of the resistance. Change can be a scary thing, but at the end of the day the services will do what they always do. Adapt, improvise, overcome and drive on.

Response by GySgt Moses Lozano made Sep 11 at 2015 9:28 PM

GySgt Moses Lozano — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 21:28:21 -0400

Why fix what is not broken?