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I asked a former female Marine if she had experienced an overwhelming amount of sexual harassment/assault while she served in the Corps. To my extreme surprise this was her response (paraphrased of course):
No. No, not at all. One time I was in the barracks and a guy in my unit snuck into my room and tried forcing himself on me. I started screaming and within a few seconds this whole crowd of Marines came barging into my room and carried him off. They’re my brothers, why would they let anyone hurt me?
Now THAT is honor and loyalty.
This brought tears to my eyes for two reasons.
Reason One: I was so overwhelmed and happy these Marines heard a fellow Marine in trouble and they came running to her rescue. There was no hesitation, no passive intervention and no second thoughts. That's just mind-blowing to me.
Reason Two: My mind was blown because very rarely has a male Soldier stood up for me like that. Matter of fact, I rarely hear any male Soldiers stand up for women like that.
I was raised where men watch their mouths around women, men hold open doors for ladies, and men take out the trash while women wash the dishes. I understand and learn more every day how the military is far from being the Southern paradise where knights in shining armor rescue damsels in distress. I also understand some women don’t like being treated that way. Roger, tracking.
Maybe those Marines who busted in her room didn’t care that she was a woman, they just heard one of their fellow Marines in trouble. Regardless of why, their actions and her response portrayed a very different world from what I know in the Army and that saddens me.
Is it sexist for me to expect male Soldiers to stand up for female Soldiers? Maybe so.
Is it too much to ask for Soldiers to stand up for Soldiers, regardless of gender? I don't think so.
No. No, not at all. One time I was in the barracks and a guy in my unit snuck into my room and tried forcing himself on me. I started screaming and within a few seconds this whole crowd of Marines came barging into my room and carried him off. They’re my brothers, why would they let anyone hurt me?
Now THAT is honor and loyalty.
This brought tears to my eyes for two reasons.
Reason One: I was so overwhelmed and happy these Marines heard a fellow Marine in trouble and they came running to her rescue. There was no hesitation, no passive intervention and no second thoughts. That's just mind-blowing to me.
Reason Two: My mind was blown because very rarely has a male Soldier stood up for me like that. Matter of fact, I rarely hear any male Soldiers stand up for women like that.
I was raised where men watch their mouths around women, men hold open doors for ladies, and men take out the trash while women wash the dishes. I understand and learn more every day how the military is far from being the Southern paradise where knights in shining armor rescue damsels in distress. I also understand some women don’t like being treated that way. Roger, tracking.
Maybe those Marines who busted in her room didn’t care that she was a woman, they just heard one of their fellow Marines in trouble. Regardless of why, their actions and her response portrayed a very different world from what I know in the Army and that saddens me.
Is it sexist for me to expect male Soldiers to stand up for female Soldiers? Maybe so.
Is it too much to ask for Soldiers to stand up for Soldiers, regardless of gender? I don't think so.
Sexual Harassment
Sexual Assault
Gender
Women in the Military
Command Post
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 197
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u should always come to someone call for help no matter who they are.
We've come along way from where we were. I'm going to talk about the Air Force since I'm retired Air Force. I hope that is gotten even better since I've retired. I retired in 1991. When I first entered the service it was bad. We still had some either active duty or retired military from WWII, KOREAN WAR, and VIETNAM was still going on. But I could tell as more females came into the service it was getting better. When I likeda female
We've come along way from where we were. I'm going to talk about the Air Force since I'm retired Air Force. I hope that is gotten even better since I've retired. I retired in 1991. When I first entered the service it was bad. We still had some either active duty or retired military from WWII, KOREAN WAR, and VIETNAM was still going on. But I could tell as more females came into the service it was getting better. When I likeda female
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PO2 Frances Smart
Well, I don't know what units you were with, but it happened to me at every command I went to, until I joined the reserves. It's amazing what the ability to threaten to resign will do for you, when you're one of the best mechanics in the command...
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LTC John Wilson
Some units have good leadership and still have the same sexual assault problems as units without good leaders. The attacks have nothing to do with leadership that addresses it and prosecutes it to the fullest. It is usual the makings of a unethical and immoral individual that can cover their tracks well, because they have done it numerous times before.
Unfortunately, there are many predators of both sexes out there and until we can get fair hearings and command attention that discharges these bad apples, we will have sexual assaults of both genders.
I fear for our military's future with the recent submission of the name of an openly gay Secretary of the Army. something I never thought I would see in my life time, wow, was I wrong. I still hope he is not appointed.
There was a reason for not allowing LBGT in the military, it was called sound disciplinary order of the military. Now you don't know who is what and what can happen in the field or in the barracks.
I am praying that all are treated fairly, and that we go back to accepting only straight members of our society to protect the troops and this country. If I am wrong, I will answer to my God for that. However, I don't feel I am wrong and would dispute this topic with anyone that states otherwise.
Unfortunately, there are many predators of both sexes out there and until we can get fair hearings and command attention that discharges these bad apples, we will have sexual assaults of both genders.
I fear for our military's future with the recent submission of the name of an openly gay Secretary of the Army. something I never thought I would see in my life time, wow, was I wrong. I still hope he is not appointed.
There was a reason for not allowing LBGT in the military, it was called sound disciplinary order of the military. Now you don't know who is what and what can happen in the field or in the barracks.
I am praying that all are treated fairly, and that we go back to accepting only straight members of our society to protect the troops and this country. If I am wrong, I will answer to my God for that. However, I don't feel I am wrong and would dispute this topic with anyone that states otherwise.
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Your original premise has been debunked about sexual harassment in just the Army. Let's remember SSG Woods, that is was a Marine that snuck into another Marine's room. I think a lack of vision on your part would not allow you to see that it would not matter what branch of service you are in, you would have your fellow members jump to your aid.
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SSG V. Michelle Woods
It is her mindset that I am impressed with because clearly if she felt that way all along after all these years that means she always felt protected by her brothers. It's the bigger picture, not just the act itself.
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SSG (Join to see)
SFC Pettengill, I think you missed the point here. I don't think she is saying that this kind of thing just happens in the Army, its just the Marines are more vocal about how they protect each other no matter what or who wishes them harm. I POSITIVE the same thing would happen if a female soldier needed help. At least !y soldier better help or they will have to answer to me as to why they didn't help
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LTC John Wilson
All branches have persons of good character that will defend a sister or a brother being sexually attacked or exploited. It is not a subject that many brag about. they feel shame when it is even attempted in their unit. God bless our troops and may they have the strength to resist such evil.
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Honestly I am not so sure about this. I am a Corpsman and am honestly worried about having to go to a Marine unit at some point in my career. All of my female friends that have already done this say they treat you like crap, you have to work 10 times harder to get half the respect.. so on and so forth. :-/
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CPO (Join to see)
That's good to hear, hopefully if I ever go green (which seems highly likely at this point) it will be like that! I work hard to do my best so if that is what's needed then I think I'll be fine.
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PO2 Frances Smart
When I was in the navy, we used to say that there were five people you didn't want to piss off: the person in charge of your paycheck, the person in charge of your vaccination records, the person in charge of your personnel file, the duty section leader, and your detailer. :)
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Sgt Cortney Kangas
Don't be scared. We love our Devil Docs and you are there for us at our most vulnerable times. It's really you who determines how you are received. The corpsman who is willing to come out with us and take care of our health woes is worth their weight in gold. I've had some Docs that were harder than some Marines I served with.
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LTC John Wilson
Amanda,
In all my time in the Corps, Marines have spoken well and interacted professionally with their corpsman. I can't say Corps women because there were none when I was in the Marines.
However, I do know that if boundaries are established early, and reinforced that these boundaries will be respected by your fellow Marines and naval personnel majority of the time. There will always be one among them that is the experienced sleazeball and will try to attempt an attack to see if they can get away with it. If found, report him or her immediately, keep fighting to have him or her prosecuted and get them our of the service. We don't need their types among the troops. God Bless and protect you and thank you for your service!
In all my time in the Corps, Marines have spoken well and interacted professionally with their corpsman. I can't say Corps women because there were none when I was in the Marines.
However, I do know that if boundaries are established early, and reinforced that these boundaries will be respected by your fellow Marines and naval personnel majority of the time. There will always be one among them that is the experienced sleazeball and will try to attempt an attack to see if they can get away with it. If found, report him or her immediately, keep fighting to have him or her prosecuted and get them our of the service. We don't need their types among the troops. God Bless and protect you and thank you for your service!
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When was this from?
My mother was in the Corps in the late 70s and she said the total opposite.
My mother was in the Corps in the late 70s and she said the total opposite.
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SSG V. Michelle Woods
I believe her and I am so sorry that happened. Hopefully we can make changes and make them soon. It all starts with us :)
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SGT Richard H.
Maybe its more of a modern and educated thing and less of a corps thing. Just a guess.
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CPL Christie Looney
I've dated some Marines and they all (including their "buddies") seemed to have a very violent attitude towards women. I'm not saying that I judge the whole of the Corps based on the actions of the few that I met but it seemed to be the general attitude of that group of Marines.
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BS. this reaction to the incident is Absolutely no surprise to me. If you are surprised I feel bad for you...guess I was in a better Army than you.
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SSG V. Michelle Woods
Wow, that's really insensitive of you to play off a fellow NCO's horrible experiences like that.
"guess I was in a better Army than you"...Really? I sure hope you aren't still serving.
"guess I was in a better Army than you"...Really? I sure hope you aren't still serving.
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LCpl Karen Lowes
Wow is right. Given the topic, it was more than insensitive, it was just plain mean. And I also thank you. Because of your remark, I now have the perfect example to show my teenage boys what not to be like when they grow up.
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LTC John Wilson
i don't care how many years you have been in the military. You alone have not seen one tenth of all the crazy things that happen in small units or larger units, because the command has swept much of it under the rug. Officers get relieved, NCO's get relieved and the excuse is they just weren't working out. How many commands will say " It is because they attacked someone in the command or knew of it and used their influence to shut it down". Not many, if they wanted their commands to flourish, even at the expense of enlisted personnel and junior officers.
Listen to the full story, investigate it, don't let it die because you are afraid it has larger consequences for your command and your future. Be fair and strive to be the leader you swore to be. You will answer to your maker and he will tell that you did well or not.
Listen to the full story, investigate it, don't let it die because you are afraid it has larger consequences for your command and your future. Be fair and strive to be the leader you swore to be. You will answer to your maker and he will tell that you did well or not.
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