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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Remember that although people say that infantry Soldiers aren't used to working with females, that this is false. They have lived their whole civilian life with females...In school, doctors offices, grocery stores, neighbors and family. This doesn't have to be wierd. As with all areas in life-the best way to work together is to act like adults and as with all other areas of the Army, a female Soldier is not a female Soldier....just a Soldier. Always do you share of the work, maintain your boundaries and help out those your able to and you'll find that respect will come.
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Same advice id give any 11x. Keep your mouth shut, eat fast, take notes and don't complain. It's not hazing they're breaking your delicate ass in. And don't expect acceptance. That will likely never happen 100%
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Do the job and don't demand any special treatment pay attention to the training and learn all aspects of your MOS.
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I think it will be important to let these females that are going into combat arms positions know they MUST get a female mentor ASAP. This transition period will be very challenging and they will need strong mentors that will help them get through it all. There are Women's Mentorship Network starting up all over ( I helped start one at Fort Bliss TX last year), and these women need to connect with other women service members for development and support. Let them know they are trailblaizers and to march forward no matter the naysayers.
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SSG Mike Merritt
Sgt Margot Gall - I have a buddy that was a pilot, then went combat control TACP type stuff and I know he knows shit and we have discussed the things he didn't understand or know about Infantry/Special Operations life prior to being attached to them. Huge learning curve.
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SSG Mike Merritt
Sgt Margot Gall - we good, I was just making mention of generalities... I was a combat medic in title for a year (long story about a school, but I wasn't a medic) and I couldn't or wouldn't mentor young medics because I didn't know their lane... I'd rather point them to someone that did instead of pretending to know, which I feel the whole female combat arms mentor thing would be a lot different than what I did and it would cause more problems than solutions.
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SSG Delanda Hunt
Mentors in Ranger school, in the Infantry, in whatever. Just make it a daycare? What a joke the Military is becoming. Young tough men stay away from the Infantry they screwed that up to.
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SFC Wayne Robinson
we don't need trail blazers we need dedicated individuals who will go forth on their own accord and make the best of their choice in combat arms. Do not pamper these individuals with role models who have not proven themselves. Get out and go through the training your self and then brag about being the first to succeed. We don't need mamas girls in combat arms. I said it and I stand by what i said.
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There will be times when you are tired and sleepy, your lungs will be on pure fire, but there will be times when the things come together to shine the brilliance of what you are doing.
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Be prepared to be challenged in ways you can't even conceive of. Be prepared to walk in some mighty big shoes of those Ladies that came before you, In my world that would be RADM Grace Hopper and Capt Margie Turner.
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Prepare for culture shock, develop a positive "can-do" attitude, mission first, willingness to accept success and failure and know when to make actionable decisions.
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Welcome to equality. Many women have already served in combat with valor and professionalism. Your gender is not what matters, what matters is your heart and ability to do the job. Train hard and pay attention.
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Advice- do not let the standard training for males to be lowered to compensate your training. It will alow you to get the best training to get you through any training evolution or missions with your counter parts.
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We're going through a time of social and cultural change, some say good some say PC motivated. Young women nowadays esp are at the tip of the spear of this change and all eyes are on them. I would be sure I was totally motivated to excel in every detail every day 24/7 and never let it be said that if, for any reason, I crash and burn on the drop zone, it was 'because I was a woman'. Best wishes to you all.
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SSG Bethany Viglietta
Capt Tom Brown Well said sir! Their success or failures will determine the future of women in the military for years to come.
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