Posted on Apr 22, 2016
SSG Bethany Viglietta
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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.
Edited >1 y ago
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Responses: 398
MAJ Bill Darling
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Don't be a social justice warrior. Do strive to meet the male fitness standards (not the minimums) of your organization. Expected to be treated like everyone else, which is to say, like a male. Don't seek, expect, or accept special accommodations because of your sex. Do your best to excel at your job and always work on your leadership skills. Don't use feminine wiles to get ahead or your way. Grow a thick skin. Realize that getting razzed, insulted, put down or shown disrespect might have nothing to do with you being a woman. Don't flirt with, date, or hook up with anyone in your unit, especially someone in your chain of command even when your peers, subordinates or superiors initiate it. Know that your attitude about your fellow soldiers, your unit(s) and your branch will change over time.
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SGT Infantryman
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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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SFC Rollie Hubbard
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Edited >1 y ago
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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CSM Geologist
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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
SSG Mike Merritt
>1 y
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
SSG Mike Merritt
>1 y
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
SSG Delanda Hunt
>1 y
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
SFC Wayne Robinson
>1 y
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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CPT Joseph K Murdock
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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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PO1 Cryptologic Technician (Technical)
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>1 y
Agree on the lungs being pure fire.....
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LTC Roderic Hewlett
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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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PFC Francis Ramseyer
PFC Francis Ramseyer
>1 y
Just words but on practice it is and always will be different.
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CPO Joshua Balter
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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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Sgt Aircraft Ordnance Technician
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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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Capt Tom Brown
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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
SSG Bethany Viglietta
>1 y
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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SSG Delanda Hunt
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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.
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Capt Tom Brown
Capt Tom Brown
>1 y
SSG Delanda Hunt Yr observations may be a shot of realism to some.
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