Posted on Jan 19, 2016
The End of 'Midshipman'? Navy Secretary Calls for Gender Integration
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What happens when you take the "man" out of "midshipman"?
Navy officials will consider this question as they turn to language in an effort to fully integrate women into all levels of the service, including the Naval Academy.
Ray Mabus, the secretary of the Navy, issued a memo to the chief of naval operations on Jan. 1 asking for an "update of position titles and descriptions to demonstrate through this language that women are included in these positions."
He also wrote: "Please review the position titles throughout the Navy and ensure that they are gender-integrated ... removing 'man' from their titles."
So what should it be?
Midshiperson?
Shipmate?
Just mid?
Navy officials will consider this question as they turn to language in an effort to fully integrate women into all levels of the service, including the Naval Academy.
Ray Mabus, the secretary of the Navy, issued a memo to the chief of naval operations on Jan. 1 asking for an "update of position titles and descriptions to demonstrate through this language that women are included in these positions."
He also wrote: "Please review the position titles throughout the Navy and ensure that they are gender-integrated ... removing 'man' from their titles."
So what should it be?
Midshiperson?
Shipmate?
Just mid?
The End of 'Midshipman'? Navy Secretary Calls for Gender Integration
Posted from military.com
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 13
Posted 8 y ago
I am a female and I am not offended by traditional titles at all. In fact, I don't actually know any female currently serving with me that has once complained about any of this. "Man" can come from "human" if they're that offended. To spend money and time on this is just a waste, especially as it has zero impact on mission readiness and operational capability. The Navy has bigger issues we can focus on.
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Posted 8 y ago
Dear God, please, make it stop! My head is beginning to hurt. Obviously men and women are different. But "man" always been gender neutral unless referring to a specific man.
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Cpl Jeff N.
8 y
We will need to change human to huperson is something along those lines next thing you know. We are indeed paying a price for electing. Idiots that appoint bigger idiots. They don't care about tradition, esprit de corps, military history customs and courtesies. They are simply trying to destroy the institution. They would say they are "changing it" for the better. They view the military as a bastion of conservatism and that is what they want to change. They want to relive. The military into a government civil service operation.
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Posted 8 y ago
"Sweepers, person your brooms" maybe "Sweeps grab your brooms" "Sweepers get your brooms" The maritime terms are steeped with traditions that go back to the British Navy. Did UK change their term?.
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