Will opening Combat Arms jobs to females cause more issues in terms of SHARP and EO programs?

2014-06-26T13:34:54-04:00

http://www.army.mil/article/128545/Army_announces_33_000_positions_now_available_to_women/

I saw the list of MOS's and having served in an FA unit I see allot of probelms for both sides of the gender arena. Females may face gender bias as well as males. I hope this program that has been approved is successful i dont want to see females in these jobs placed in staff positions because the job became to difficult or boringsome. Discuss and enlighten me with pros and cons of this issue that will surely rock the MOS world. I believe it is a mistake to begin a program according to this article with superior and Leader level females then allow subordinate junior female Soldiers to begin entry into these CMF's. If you want it to be equal it should remain unbiased. But is that even possible in these male-dominated occupations? Can we serve with an open mind? Obviously the powers that be doesn't think so because their embedding superiors in it before the Soldiers....Obviously they have planned for backlash and potentially toxic leadership evolvement as these ranks are filled. The article is more discouraging than encouraging to me.

Army announces 33,000 positions now available to women

Secretary of the Army John M. McHugh signed a directive authorizing more opportunities for women to serve in a wider range of roles within the Army profession.

Response by SSG Ed Mikus made Jun 26 at 2014 1:51 PM

2014-06-26T13:51:47-04:00

of course there will be a rise in issues, but that just means the problem are being addressed.

for instance, in countries where racism is legal, it is not viewed as a problem.

not to make less of the issues that will arise, but we have to put people in the situation and address the problems before/as/after they arise so we can move beyond these self imposed limits and continue to lead the world in at least some way.

feel free to disagree, this is just my thoughts.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 26 at 2014 2:21 PM

2014-06-26T14:21:12-04:00

What I am concerned about is what are you going to do when you have a Sharp complaint against a female. Are they going to treat it the same way as they would as if they are gender natural. I recall while I was a manager in my civilian capacity I have a female that harassed me. No one really takes it serious and it is just dismissed. It is going to be odd at first but I think we will get past it. It is going to be a rough transition. I am just weary of the majority level of both sexes when they are placed in a challenging situation. Like a squad out in the field with one female and 8 guys. It is a scenario that we are not used to in the infantry.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 26 at 2014 3:29 PM

2014-06-26T15:29:51-04:00

My understanding is that females will be allowed to serve at the battalion level in combat arms, not that the actual MOS is open, so they will be in staff positions mostly

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 13 at 2014 7:21 AM

2014-10-13T07:21:31-04:00

At first yes...with change in anything comes a ripple effect of uncomfortability. That discomfort will push those resistant to change into their proverbial corners and some will chose to fight against the current and cause them to make poor choices. Those poor choices will result in alot of questioning as to whether the change was for the greater good at all. But in the end, females being allowed the same opputunities as men in the Armed Forces regardless to branch or MOS is a good thing. Those rules were put in place by a generation whose wars were mostly jungle terrain and outside the wire for a very very long time, causing the idea that womens needs would not be met. However, those are not the type of wars fought on todays front. Most of this generations wars will be fought in cities and more populated areas, causing the fighter to go out and come back to base quiet often. Supply, technology and access to basic needs are far better then previous generations and therefore offer no reason as to why we should not allow women to fill combat arms positions. The only opposition offered is based out of traditions. Traditions can change as well, obviously, otherwise the Armed forces would still be all white, and no females. Its time for the next great change to happen that will lead us into the next generation of outstanding Soldiers!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 28 at 2015 3:09 PM

2015-03-28T15:09:04-04:00

Of course it will; how could it not? Throwing a handful of women into what has been solely a male dominated arena culturally? With all the SHARP/EO issues we have now in Combat Support, and Service Support units statistically, how could those numbers get anything, other than worse?!