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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SSG Bethany, to be infantry you have got to have the mind set, I'm ready to die defending this country. Nobody wants to die, but front line soldiers can and may be the 1st ones K.I.A. Be real with your recruits. People in infantry come home screwed up. Normal lifestyle is over, then you have to he dependent of a govt agency to help you maintain.
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I believe that as long as we keep the term "soldier" instead of male/female it will take most of the issues out of the discussion. I was never treated any different 21 years ago. I am thankful for that, I always new where I stood. These new recruits will as well!
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Prepare thyself for what is ahead. Be an NCO and Lead by example. Never let things be "Handed" to you, but earn it all. Know that you are not in competition with everyone else, but rather, only yourself.
Good luck and kick some butt.
Good luck and kick some butt.
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You asked my advise, so don't limit me on my advice! I have one word DON"T
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Female soldiers have served with distinction in foreign armies for decades. Israel is a good example.
I would tell these recruits to expect harsh treatment from combat arms troops, at least early on because they are the pioneers in this endeavor.. but if they can perform at already established standards equal with their peers they will gain trust and gradually earn respect. However, if they approach it with a militant feminist attitude, use being a woman to gain preferential treatment or become intimate with soldier (s) in their unit then they're heading for disaster.. and these are the obvious pitfalls. But if they're doing it because they're qualified and dedicated I say, by all means, good luck.
I would tell these recruits to expect harsh treatment from combat arms troops, at least early on because they are the pioneers in this endeavor.. but if they can perform at already established standards equal with their peers they will gain trust and gradually earn respect. However, if they approach it with a militant feminist attitude, use being a woman to gain preferential treatment or become intimate with soldier (s) in their unit then they're heading for disaster.. and these are the obvious pitfalls. But if they're doing it because they're qualified and dedicated I say, by all means, good luck.
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There are a lot of traditions and rituals that come with combat arms. Get used to it.
With that said, Pull your weight. Don't let the guys do your job for you. It will only work against you and hurt the team in the long run. Don't be afraid to ask for help, when you really need it, but also expect to get razzed for it. Cussing and swearing wont make you one of the guys, Performance and determination will take you a lot farther on that route.
Make sure you excel in those jobs only a woman can do. No not cooking and cleaning. I mean fitting into those spaces men cannot (if you are smaller than they are, of course), Communicating with female locals and insurgents, you get the idea. Identify those tasks you are best at, and do them to the best of your ability. They might not necessarily be the huaah jobs you are looking for, but it will make a difference.
Work place relationships can be detrimental to the team dynamic. Though difficult to avoid, they can be dangerous for everyone involved.
Most important:
Watch your backs, and pay attention to details.
For the guys in these teams, I give the same advice, with the added caveat. Don't play the hero to impress the girl. It is ingrained in your psyche. Let the girl do her job and try to understand that women don't think like you do.
Good luck to all of you, you are always in my prayers.
With that said, Pull your weight. Don't let the guys do your job for you. It will only work against you and hurt the team in the long run. Don't be afraid to ask for help, when you really need it, but also expect to get razzed for it. Cussing and swearing wont make you one of the guys, Performance and determination will take you a lot farther on that route.
Make sure you excel in those jobs only a woman can do. No not cooking and cleaning. I mean fitting into those spaces men cannot (if you are smaller than they are, of course), Communicating with female locals and insurgents, you get the idea. Identify those tasks you are best at, and do them to the best of your ability. They might not necessarily be the huaah jobs you are looking for, but it will make a difference.
Work place relationships can be detrimental to the team dynamic. Though difficult to avoid, they can be dangerous for everyone involved.
Most important:
Watch your backs, and pay attention to details.
For the guys in these teams, I give the same advice, with the added caveat. Don't play the hero to impress the girl. It is ingrained in your psyche. Let the girl do her job and try to understand that women don't think like you do.
Good luck to all of you, you are always in my prayers.
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They should be ready to train. If they choose a job like this there is no room for slack or excuses. They will be held to the same standard across the board. Prove that they are just as good and can handle the job.
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Women in combat rolls it the way things are going to be.-----Bitching ans whining about ti won't change things----That having been said--there can not be a lowering of standards for privilege characters----It we're in the same boat, as it were, we all have to take a turn rowing. Unfortunately if Hillary Clinton is elected, we may see a quota system for women, something I don't believe any member of the military, man or women wants to see. Mrs. Clinton will undoubtedly make these changes to be politically correct, and could care less about the lives of soldiers than Henry Kissinger did.
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SSG Bethany Viglietta
1SG Patrick Sims Amen 1SG. Standards across the board will be great for the Combat Arms branch. We all know that there are men who likely should not be in Combat Arms, but end up there because their ASVAB score was too low. Now the new implementation of the OPAT will ensure those going into combat arms, whether male or female will be strong and agile.
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1SG Patrick Sims
S/Sgt. I've been out of the military for sixteen years and can't speak to what's going on today. Anyone who is allowed into combat arms---be they male or female must be able to do the job. If combat arms has become a dumping ground for people with low ASVAB scores, the lion share of the fault rest with the commissioned commanders who let it happen. Until times are better, you're going to have to put your head down and march on. Hopefully with a new president this will change---or grow worse, depending on who is elected.
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My advice would be to practice at cleaning yourselves subtly and quietly using only baby wipes and cold water. Learn to take jokes, to include dirty, sexist, and racist jokes. People who will watch each others backs in combat, people who would die for each other, don't typically rat each other out for small time jokes. When it gets out of hand, when it causes a diminishing of good order and discipline like sexual assault or racism beyond the point of playfulness and gets to the point of divisiveness, then it needs to get reported, or get the soldiers will take care of it themselves. Always try to solve your problems at the lowest level, only move up when it fails to work or actually makes it worse. Grow a sense of humor, don't lose your modesty, and don't grow a romantic relationship with any one in your unit. That goes in both directions. Down to squad level and up to division level, stay away from romantic relationships. If you really want to marry a military person, find one in a different division. Let the men get comfortable with you to the point they are not watching what they say to the point of lowering the morale. Learn to pee in a bottle.
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