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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As a former 19K (Tanker), i will tell u this:
Have your recruits understand that combat arms is not something to experiment on. You will be dirty, you will deploy eventually, you will be training a lot and expect a lot of wear and tear on your body.
Have your recruits understand that combat arms is not something to experiment on. You will be dirty, you will deploy eventually, you will be training a lot and expect a lot of wear and tear on your body.
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They need to go into those positions knowing they are going to get some push back from the males. They need to keep their heads down and focus on the task at hand and prove they are capable of doing the same job as we are
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As a Seabee (Navy combat engineer-ish job), I've seen some Sisters that were completely capable of outworking the men and remaining humble, and I've seen those that use the, "I can't because I'm a GIRL!!" b.s. My advice:
Be yourself. If you can't do something, don't make excuses. Admitting you need help is perfectly fine, as long as you have a legitimate need or desire for assistance, and not just because you're a princess or a "girl". People will probably be expecting that behavior; don't give them that victory.
Take no stupidity from anyone. If they give you grief, call them out on it in a manner befitting their rank and where you are (i.e. in the smoke pit vice in formation), but don't immediately bust up to the SNCO or someone just because someone made fun of you (that goes for ANYONE, regardless of gender or orientation/preference).
Know your strengths AND weaknesses. Keep your strengths toned, and strengthen your weaknesses.
Be humble, but don't be timid.
Don't live the stereotype. Be one that RAISES the bar, not the one to which the bar is lowered.
Be yourself. If you can't do something, don't make excuses. Admitting you need help is perfectly fine, as long as you have a legitimate need or desire for assistance, and not just because you're a princess or a "girl". People will probably be expecting that behavior; don't give them that victory.
Take no stupidity from anyone. If they give you grief, call them out on it in a manner befitting their rank and where you are (i.e. in the smoke pit vice in formation), but don't immediately bust up to the SNCO or someone just because someone made fun of you (that goes for ANYONE, regardless of gender or orientation/preference).
Know your strengths AND weaknesses. Keep your strengths toned, and strengthen your weaknesses.
Be humble, but don't be timid.
Don't live the stereotype. Be one that RAISES the bar, not the one to which the bar is lowered.
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SMSgt Steve Neal
Excellent coverage on this topic! As a deployed NCO in charge, it was twice as hard to keep the all the guys from bugging my two females troops but nearly three times as hard for these skilled Radar technicians to ask me to intervene when things got out of hand. Regardless of how many times I'd asked them to them to just come see me for this kind of crap, in hindsight, I discovered their fear of repercussions and loss of self-confidence (personal power) outweighed their need to put those guys on-report or sent home (I only sent one home). Later as a fill-in 1st Sergeant (T-Shirt), I had to deal with an entire unit in Korea (38 females out of 200 troops), and I can assure you there's WAY too much going on that is NOT work related to make it just about workplace EEO complaints. Bottom line is that it takes two to tango, so protecting one troop while punishing the other is just plain wrong without all the facts...
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My advice-know your boundaries. Working in such close proximity to the other sex, in an adrenaline filled situation, can be dangerous and cause you to make stupid choices. Before you get into that situation, be sure to know your boundaries. Don't shit where you eat.
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Here are some random thoughts. My perspective- I served over 20 years, MP, light infantry, aviation. My wife has served over 20 years- rigger, pilot, now a surgeon. Daughter is currently in AIT for a recently opened combat arms.
1. This is one you can't control but the Army needs to come to grips with. Not all women will have the build to endure the rigors of combat arms such as infantry and engineers. I think my daughter said about 30% of the females in her class had to reclassify due to stress injuries on their bodies, primarily their hips. Stamina they were fine. This is just in basic/AIT. I can't imagine what the long term effects will be on some of these kids.
2. What you can do is try to find girls who are already in good shape- soccer, lacrosse, field hockey players for example. mentally these girls will also probably have what they need to make it through; many probably already dealt with guys on the playing field. My daughter was a soccer player and has played against boys since she was little. They are use to being hot/cold/tired and miserable yet still performing.
3. Get them to the gym. Have them work on their core and other exercises that will protect their knees and hips. Look at what some of the sports I mentioned use. If you bring them in for PT don't waste their time. Show them exercises that can be done outside of the gym. Spartan.com has some great ones as an example.
4. Work on push ups since this seems to be a consistent weakness. About the only way to do this is to... Do tons of push up. Look at some of the links on how to improve push ups.
5. Get them on a good diet. Fortunately it seems the Army has changed in this respect. My daughter said in basic the drill sergeants were stressing proper nutrition, almost like a D1 sports team. Again, a female body is different and the places where they put on weight makes them prone to injuries.
Again, I go back to sports for examples. If a person is selected to play college sports they normally get a summer work out program that is very specific- diet and exercise. I think something like this would be helpful for recruits.
1. This is one you can't control but the Army needs to come to grips with. Not all women will have the build to endure the rigors of combat arms such as infantry and engineers. I think my daughter said about 30% of the females in her class had to reclassify due to stress injuries on their bodies, primarily their hips. Stamina they were fine. This is just in basic/AIT. I can't imagine what the long term effects will be on some of these kids.
2. What you can do is try to find girls who are already in good shape- soccer, lacrosse, field hockey players for example. mentally these girls will also probably have what they need to make it through; many probably already dealt with guys on the playing field. My daughter was a soccer player and has played against boys since she was little. They are use to being hot/cold/tired and miserable yet still performing.
3. Get them to the gym. Have them work on their core and other exercises that will protect their knees and hips. Look at what some of the sports I mentioned use. If you bring them in for PT don't waste their time. Show them exercises that can be done outside of the gym. Spartan.com has some great ones as an example.
4. Work on push ups since this seems to be a consistent weakness. About the only way to do this is to... Do tons of push up. Look at some of the links on how to improve push ups.
5. Get them on a good diet. Fortunately it seems the Army has changed in this respect. My daughter said in basic the drill sergeants were stressing proper nutrition, almost like a D1 sports team. Again, a female body is different and the places where they put on weight makes them prone to injuries.
Again, I go back to sports for examples. If a person is selected to play college sports they normally get a summer work out program that is very specific- diet and exercise. I think something like this would be helpful for recruits.
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Find a mentor fast and learn all you can. Pick wisely and make sure the leader you choice as a mentor is knowledgible in doctrine and has the experience to back it up! Finally, Never lay down with dog if you don't want flees!!!
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I don't really like to see this, But I know it's here. To build up our combat troops, and other fields on need in the sevices to our country. Combat is not where I would want to see them although I know they can do it.
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If you can do the task & get the mission done. That's all that matters . SAME requirements for all
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my advice is if you think you have what it takes then go for it. It will not be easy by any means and yes you do have a lot to prove not only to yourself but to the ones on your left and right. Just because you have the mentality " I can do anything a man can do", is not the right mindset for the obstacles you will have to overcome mentally and physically.
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