When do you think, If ever, we will see a Female Joint Chief of Staff or a Chief of Staff of any branch?

SCPO David Lockwood — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 11:21:10 -0400

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jun 8 at 2015 11:51 AM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 11:51:04 -0400

When 2Lt's from the mid-late 1990s hit 2-3 star.

Thats when the Combat exclusion went away. Those 2Lt's will be the front runners.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jun 8 at 2015 11:54 AM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 11:54:34 -0400

Don't see why not. That being said how many 4 star female generals do you see in highly visible combat command/support roles. That I would imagine would be a prerequisite (written or unwritten) somewhere.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 8 at 2015 11:56 AM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 11:56:11 -0400

If they qaulify why not? I beleive you will, there is no way this does not happen.... I hope the next JCS likes the RC/NG

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 8 at 2015 12:11 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 12:11:09 -0400

Unfortunately it will be while. The progression of most chiefs of staff are out of the Combat Arms said. I know the Marines had a Commandant out of the Aviation Side and the Navy is a bit different in how it selects there top officer. But in the Army combat commanders are called upon to command the Army. Fighting War is the primary function of the Army so they put a war fighter in there. When I say war fighter I mean a soldier with combat arms experience. Combat Support and Combat Service Support are great but they aren't the major focus of the the Army. The maneuver elements are. And please don't say anything like "you can't fight without support." Yeah, that is implied. Sorry, but support isn't the Decisive Operation.

Of the last ten the Army had 1 was Artillery, 2 were Armor, 6 were Infantry, and 1 was Infantry/Special Forces.

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Jun 8 at 2015 12:22 PM

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 12:22:03 -0400

It is only a matter of time. It takes 30~ years to grow one and we are really just now seeing a larger "crop" of female O6's across the various branches (20~ years) so give it another 10~+ years.

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Jun 8 at 2015 1:01 PM

SSG Trevor S. — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 13:01:34 -0400

I want the best qualified person in the job, no matter what bathroom they use.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 8 at 2015 1:14 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 13:14:55 -0400

Based on the current trends for general officers in senior positions in the Army, you will need a female Infantry or other combat arms officer with successful Battalion, Brigade, Division, and Corps commands. The division or corps commands will probably have to be during wartime to overcome the last of the opposition. Since we will not have female Infantry 2LTs until probably 2017 at the soonest - it will be around 2050 before the Army sees its first female CSA.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Jun 8 at 2015 2:23 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 14:23:32 -0400

Good likelihood that we will see a female COS or JCS from the USAF and USN in the future. We won't see one from the USA or USMC anytime soon. Why? Because CoS and JCS typically require combatant command experience. A female is far more likely to get an opportunity for combatant command in the USAF and USN, where females serve in combat roles.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Jun 8 at 2015 4:38 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 16:38:04 -0400

Military social barriers drop faster than civilian ones. I'd like to take the jigh ground and say that we are more interested in the right person for the job and prefer to leave the politics for the politicians. Will this person, keep my military family safe and look out for their well being? That is what matters the most. That being said, I was a speck, and not on anyone's radar. We are talking about politically apointed personnel. Right back to political drama we go. We have 4-Star female Generals, whom I have personally worked with and believed them to both be badass, but they were medical and support. The talent is out there, but with combat arms being the gateway to the "big table" it might take a few more generations.

Response by PO3 David Fries made Jun 9 at 2015 6:11 AM

PO3 David Fries — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 06:11:49 -0400

I'm not sure what the qualifications are for becoming one of the Joint Chiefs. If there is a woman that qualifies, then I see no reason that it shouldn't happen.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Mar 18 at 2016 1:26 PM

CSM Richard StCyr — Fri, 18 Mar 2016 13:26:51 -0400

As soon as some females have gained experience and rank in the fully integrated Combat Arms Fields. Lunch is short so with my limited search; I found no Chief's of Staff from the Combat Service Support or Combat Support fields. If anyone knows of any it would be interesting.