Posted on Apr 22, 2016
What is your advice for Females joining the ranks of the combat jobs in the Military?
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I am an Army Recruiter and it would be great to share.
As we gear up to ship out some of our first female Future Soldiers in combat jobs, I ask of the members of RP, what is your advice for these young soldiers?
Please keep it constructive and nothing along the lines of they shouldn't be able to serve in these positions because that ship has sailed and opinions about how they should not serve in these positions are not going to change anything.
Edit: The conversation among RP members about mentoring these service members is amazing. Honestly, I did not know what to expect when I started the thread, because this is a subject many feel strong about. Thank you so much for all of your advice thus far, I cannot wait to share it with our female and male recruits and hope you share it in your ranks/communities as well. Together we are molding the future of the military.
As we gear up to ship out some of our first female Future Soldiers in combat jobs, I ask of the members of RP, what is your advice for these young soldiers?
Please keep it constructive and nothing along the lines of they shouldn't be able to serve in these positions because that ship has sailed and opinions about how they should not serve in these positions are not going to change anything.
Edit: The conversation among RP members about mentoring these service members is amazing. Honestly, I did not know what to expect when I started the thread, because this is a subject many feel strong about. Thank you so much for all of your advice thus far, I cannot wait to share it with our female and male recruits and hope you share it in your ranks/communities as well. Together we are molding the future of the military.
Infantry
Combat
Training
Women in the Military
Combat Arms
Edited 8 y ago
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 403
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Prior to doing anything else I would recommend to the prospect she hang out with a large group of guys (preferably younger combat MOS veterans) for 30-45 days every day all day. Tell them there is no filter and to act and talk as if she were a guy. If she can complete that time frame without being offended or totally disgusted with the topics of conversations, and not in a relationship with one of the guys then we'll discuss career opportunities.
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SSG Bethany Viglietta
Sgt John Steinmeier Sadly that isn't realistic throughout most of America. For example there are no active duty bases within a 2 hour drive of where we live/recruit from. Then the closest Army base is 8 hours away.
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Sgt John Steinmeier
SSG Bethany Viglietta Doesn't have to be combat MOS veterans, or vets in general, any group of guys will do. In my world of friends the veterans just tend to be the most vile and disgusting with regards to our shenanigans.
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SSG Bethany Viglietta
Sgt John Steinmeier - I am getting out soon and don't I know it. Turns out most civilians do not talk that openly about body functions or things of that nature. Learning to edit my thoughts before speaking them
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Not to. Women have no business in the infantry. They will be nothing but a complete burden. They will not carry their weight, they will have to be constantly separated in garrison. And tell me this! How in the world is a women in a combat zone going to relieve herself without showing her privates. Then there is the problem with their menstual cycle. Infantry goes weeks at a time without showers in combat. I guarantee you women in the infantry is going to be a complete disaster!
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SSG Bethany Viglietta
SFC Carey Cox I was the only female embedded with an infantry unit. Most definitely peed and no one saw my lady bits. Had no menstrual cycle because I took the precautions not to (mostly bc I didn't want to deal with it.) I disagree with your analysis and predictions.
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Cpl Chris Woodford
SSG Bethany Viglietta - Well, I can't wait for the first young officer to come along and ask one of his female NCOs to produce her Privates most ricky tic. Lol
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take out a lot of ins and write your will. Hope you are assigned to a hard charger
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I tell any female who is joining the military in general: if you cannot take some of the comments and dish them back out then don't join. Not saying the comments are acceptable but it is reality. It is a male dominated world and being realistic is important. For the combat MOSs, I would look at realizing the barriers you are attempting to break. Just because congress says you have to be allowed into the position doesn't mean people are gonna respect you right away. I went through BCT with a combat engineer unit but I wasn't a combat engineer and all the DS in the company always told the 8 total females to never give the makes a reason to think less of us, don't let them see us as weak more than they already will. You are a soldier first, than a lady. And tell them to keep their sense of humor.
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This is your time to shine as you are on the leading edge of change. Don't let the boys get to you. You try your best and that is what we ask of you.
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Be thick skinned. Know the difference between making a better soldier and actual harrassment. Build muscle, ruck marches are hard for everyone so don't be the weak link. I'm proud to have had some really great soldiers that just happened to be female. Dirtbags come in all flavors. Learn as much as you can about everything that pertains to your job. Never consider yourself weak if you need help, but also don't be afraid to give help. Enjoy the lifestyle of the grunts, scouts, engineers, line mechanics, tankers, etc. Remember to be treated with respect, not coddled. I wish All of the future combat arms the best of luck. My Grandmother was one of the first WACS, and my mother also served, so thank you All for taking time to read my jumbled paragraph.
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SSG Bethany Viglietta
SSG Dennis Grossmann love that the women in your family served! Thank you so much for your response.
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SSG Bethany Viglietta personally no matter what gender a person is doesn't matter. Job performance is key. Pass the course, do the job. Standards will be enforced all need to be flexible, adaptive and tough mentally and physically. Balance
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With the new Soldier 2020 Program, many new changes will be coming, and this is one of them. Soldiers will be trained to standard regardless of gender. Many barriers will be removed, thus allowing talent to show on areas that have been closed before. Just because one male is a 300 PT stud does not equate to them being able to carry a M2 and place it as needed, as I have seen females be able to complete this with no difficulty. Change is coming, sure, I may not be in when it does, but leaders need to understand why the Soldier 2020 Program is being placed, and what it is meant for the future of the Army.
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