What is your advice for Females joining the ranks of the combat jobs in the Military?

I would tell/remind them that the reason that you are talking to them is because of them. They walked into your office because they felt a bigger calling. Women all over the world have been fighting regardless of WarFare Laws and the Geneva Convention. Look at Israel. EVERY citizen serves a minimum of two years. They just have to want it.

I think you know the answer to this: do not expect any special treatment. Do not go filing IG complaints when your commander makes you run as hard as the males, because "Oh, my APFT run time is 22 minutes and I don't have to run as hard as males to achieve that goal." You're expected to be as proficient and physically fit as males. EO, right?

Don't the person who makes the formation (run or ruck march) turn around to come get you because understandably, people will resent you for it just like they would resent a male Soldier. Provided the standards are not lowered and there's true EO, 99% of the females joining the Infantry or Spec Ops will change their minds within a year.

You will encounter resentment, harsh criticism, and unfair resistance. Who is tougher, you or your opposition? Knives are sharpened on stones not velvet. Take in and use any truth, disregard everything else.

Staff Sergeant, Thanks for the qualifier and I'm sure a professional would offer nothing but support. Were I still active, my comments to the naysayers would be; We have been given a mission and we will complete this mission. Both my son and daughter in-law went to West Point and I gave my son one sentence; They will try to make you quit. The results were evident, two grads, two professionals, and more pride than an old dog-face/swabby ever dreamed of. So, even though it may be counterproductive, never shy away from truth even if it means losing a recruit. I thought I was a recruiter and volunteered in 1970 for duty. During school at Ft Ben Harrison, one of the instructors made the statement, from the podium; We need "body's, warm and breathing". I didn't believe I heard that and glanced around the room to gage the reception of such a mindless comment. I looked at a friend of mine from Bragg, and almost in total concert, both of us stood and headed for the door. The instructor ask, " and where are you two going"? My friend said " I don't think that's proper recruiting instruction ", and I said, " I didn't volunteer to recruit cannon fodder". When we turned to leave, 15 more stood. The commandant had to issue a formal apology to the class. The name of the commandant was the color of the instructors face. In 2 months on recruiting duty, I had 2 walk-ins and signed both, one as an engineer and the other as an infantryman, Both also to jump school. I had been back from Viet Nam 18 months and both questioned me about combat. I told both that I was a military police investigator and hadn't seen actual "bush" combat, just scared ........less, rocketed, mortared and shot at. After the swearing in, I told both to " keep their head on a swivel and remember what that had been taught. Last I heard both had wrangled their way to RVN. If the " category system is still Cat 1 thru Cat 4, after the test at your office, cautiously advise both to concentrate on a field that their scores indicate good chances of success. Nothing can be as disheartening as a low Cat 2 who wants to be a nuclear sub commander. Maybe a little "over the top" but you get my drift. Good Luck .

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.

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!

take out a lot of ins and write your will. Hope you are assigned to a hard charger

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.

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.

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.