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

Tell her that
1. She will most likely be the most hated person in the Platoon, because she will change the way Grunts behave, unless she is Hot, then a lot of them will fight over her like the last baby back rib.
2. If she don't take the same PT test under the same scoring system then she will never have their respect.
3. Her body will be crippled by the age of 30, Woman are not built to carry that kind of weight.
4. She needs to be ready to be filthy a lot. She might consider pampers because the unit will not stop every time she has to pee.
5. After all the SHARP classes no one would want to be around you, because of the fear of going to Leavenworth.
6. Be ready to be around a bunch of horny 18,19,20 year old juvenile delinquents.
7. Enjoy your time in the Infantry.

My response is that I have seen very few females that I would trust in a combat situation. If a woman is unable to perform to the male standards....don't do it. It can lead to tragedy and a great deal of heartache. I am obviously not in the PC Army.

Female Soldiers enlisting for combat arms should do it for the same reasons that male Soldiers enlist for combat arms. That passion and determination is what is required.

I'm glad you started this thread because I will be the womens veteran advisor to our state Amvets commander in about a month. I don't know what I'll be doing or try to approach the subject but I do know I want to help. To answer your question, I would just remind these ladies the I bleed the same as a man and neither does this job for that purpose.

I think personally that women in military combat jobs is ethically wrong but since that ship has set sail I won't dwell on it. This has always been an observation among the men in my family and I won't disrespect these former soldiers, sailors and airmen who feel this way by saying times have changed. Men and women who elect to go into the Combat Arms MOS's will need to prove on a daily basis that they are there to do a job just like anyone else in those Mos's. This means a discipline and patience when they are judged by others who don't believe they should be there. This means a steadfast determination to succeed and even excel when males in these same units are merely doing their jobs. This means an acceptance when a fellow soldier dies in their unit, be it male or female and they have to deal with that loss and move on. I wish these individuals that want to be treated equal and be in Combat Arms Mos's the very best of luck and I hope you know what you are getting into. A short time ago a friend told me when I had mentioned that I had never been in combat that I should be happy. Combat changes you in ways you will never understand....it just does.

(1) Remember that the most important four-letter word in ANY warrior's vocabulary is DUCK! (2) Pay attention in training (3) Remember your training (4) Trust your shipmates / battle buddies.

If you've read SGM Erik Marquez's post, then you got my post as well. I fully concur.

OK... here's my thoughts. Generations of women have fought to get those women to the door... its up to them to make it work, but there are some things that they should know right from the "Get-Go"
1. If you want the job, and you GET the job, don't expect any slack doing the job, just because you're a woman.

2. Don't screw it up! A hundred years ago, women dreamed of being allowed to do SOMETHING besides office work and nursing. It took a hundred years of countless women PROVING that they could do the job, before they were allowed tiny steps... we've gained, an inch at a time, a million tiny victories. We proved ourselves by doing the jobs we were given....

3. Remember you aren't at the end of the line. Somewhere behind you, there are little girls watching you, and thinking, "I can do that..." and they will only be allowed to do it, if you perform that job to the best of your ability, and push that gate open just a little wider for those little girls waiting behind you.

4. You will never be alone... when you step into those jobs you've earned, all you have to do is close your eyes for just a heartbeat, and you will feel the rest of us cheering you on... the Women who have served in EVERY war this country has... who've done so much for so long... to give you the OPPORTUNITY of even considering a combat role. Every step you take, those of us who pushed open those gates for you to walk thru, will be high-fiving each other and doing the fist-pump, because you are living what we worked for... Go live the dream, sister...

They should learn as much as they can, be strong minded, and speak up when they are abuse or discriminated against. Don't try to prove anything to nobody but yourself, use always your knowledge and thank your service.

Be tough as your counter part. Don't let the males out soldier you time for women to stand up for themselves! If a combat job is your goal go for it, just don't accept or expect any, double standard in your favor. BE ARMY STRONG!