The Marines Defend Their Women

I know when we, women, enter any branch of the military we are entering a mans world. To be treated just as the men, yes, training and school....I agree with that. On the flip side....are we not all "brothers in arms"? Are we not ALL supposed to have each others back no matter the situation?? Women can be just as guilty of sexual harassment as men can. I was involved in a verbal situation related to sexual harassment.... my soldier "brothers" were there to defend me and stood up for me. I would do the same. Then that goes back to the lessons taught as children, "Treat others as you want to be treated"

Is it wrong to expect another male soldier to come to your aid? Absolutely not.

Is it sexist? Well, by definition it very well could be.
The stuff I grew up seeing as "chivalrous" is indeed sexist.

If you do something for the opposite see that you would not do for your own - that is sexist. Does that automatically make it wrong? Nope.

I am a Marine that served in the late 80's. While I was in MOS training at Ft. Belvoir we had an incedent involving Army personel. They were ragging on a WM. Well are enforcer stood up and told them to shut up. One thing led to another while they were outside enforcer on top beating manners into him. Along come the mp's it ended up the one was an off duty mp. So without thinking about breaking up the fight out come the batons to help their brother being retrained. Are enforcer took a baton and put manners back into all three. So this is not a new and improved notion we protect are own when threatened.

SSG Woods, I would have to say that being a Southern Gentalman has passed. I was raised that you protect the women in your family, and the female Soldiers in my Army are part of my family. Now Soldiers are Soldiers the habits that was instilled in me from my childhood still carry over in my military service. I hold the door for my female Soldiers an also for my junior male Soldiers.

So now for your sexiest comment lol. I don't think it is at all, but every Soldier should be treated with respect. Now you will have the local jacka** that just does not get it. Leaders need to squash it right then an explain that it will not be tolerated. An you are an NCO an you need to be a great example as to what is right. Now you are not the only one to burden this type of treatment you senior leaders need to back you up. An if you are not getting that you need to contact you local SHARP as they report to the Post Commander.

I would have to say the best SHARP training that I got was in Korea. Not your typical type of trading either. Not death by PowerPoint but it was eye opening event.

Hope I was able to answer your questions!!!

I think morals, values and honor should permeate all cultures, irregardless of branch. This should be true in both the military and civilian world. Unfortunately it does not! We can see by societies current situation. We should always take care of our own and by that I mean our fellow humans.

I was brought up in a society/time when respect was the norm. I still open car doors for my significant other. Yet in my past it offended a lady I was dating. I am who I am and I am a product of my upbringing. I do not apologize for this, I have morals and manners,

I have one question on the Marine story, how was the assailant "schooled" in proper behavior? This type of behavior is never acceptable and these types of predators do not belong in either a military or civilian society until they have learned how to conduct themselves.

It isn't wrong by any means to expect Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, or Marines of any rank to stand up for one another. To think that we would harass or assault one another is shameful in itself. I know it happens as does everyone else. I'll be damned if I am around it and don't do something to stop it. We joke with each other over every little thing because we live in such a high stress environment that you have to be able to joke about some ridiculous things. That being said however, it is everyone's job to stand up and be professionals. We all know when you cross that line and if you allow it to happen even once then you as much the problem as the one who did it. When I joined the Corps, I didn't ask if my fellow Marines would have my back, I knew it was expected of them. Marines are not perfect, I have seen some pretty messed up morals in my time. As an NCO, I strive every day to teach my Marines everything I can from weapons manipulation to suicide awareness. As leaders in the military the first line of defense is your NCO corps. Across our armed forces small unit leaders have the ability and the responsibility to influence all members under their care. If your soldiers, Marines, etc... don't trust each other and don't look out for one another then you have failed as a leader. Semper Fi

Very Well Said. It's only the decent thing too do.

A Marine is a Marine. We have no gender and we have one color-Green! And Once A Marine Always A Marine. Semper Fi Brothers and Sisters!!!

When I was in the Army as a medic in the 4th medical battalion during Reforger 85 The exercise commander tried segregating the men from the women one of our women was accosted outside their tent They then requested and were granted permission to billet with the men of their battalion they knew us and Knew they were safe with us. The only Hanky Panky going on in our unit was of the consensual kind.

So, what are we going to say about the Marine's missing pregnant wife story? The person arrested and charged was a Marine (though currently out of service) and her ex. We all have stories of really messed up situations. I believe that there are philosophies and practices that every branch of service can share with each other. However, as it has been mentioned by others on this discussion; the help MUST come from within our own individual ranks! Saying the Marines are this and the Army should be more like them is kind of like saying, I know the Army needs help but I'm just going to supervise and see what else I can find wrong. We can always find wrong! While our Soldiers (whether they say it or not) are looking for RIGHT! As NCOs we should motivate our Soldiers to do more than sit in the barracks or their houses and do nothing but get bored and do all the things that led to wrong actions. Empower them to be the future while maintaining military bearing and when corrective action is done explain to them why you made the decision you did. Don't just correct them and walk off like you just put a notch on your belt because there is another hide you just skinned! Let us stand up as NCOs (Army, Navy, Marine's, Air Force, Coast Guard, it doesn't matter!) and take back our services and share that pride because, Today we made an impact on some Soldier's life! If you already do that, then awesome; we are on the same path! But if you didn't, won't or don’t care to; then please do the U.S. Armed Forces a favor and change or get out!

I am certainly against the issues that are at hand here and am thankful that there were people around to lend their help. Those people should be applauded and recognized but minimally. Why minimally, because they accomplished no ordinary feat only doing something for a fellow Marine that they would want done for themselves. And the perpetrator should be punished to the fullest extent of UCMJ. However, as we all have seen many times the offender gets off light or no charges at all. May not have been the case here but we all have those stories also. Many times this falls back on NCO's because they did not properly counsel the individual regardless of service. It is swept under the rug. Even with the RIF there are details that are not noticed, why; because it’s Friday evening and the NCO doesn't want to ruin the weekend. It is time for us to uphold the standard and not let it drop (NOT EVEN A BIT!) Army NCO's claim to be the "Backbone of the Army" but we complain of it getting to lax and falling down. Well you can't stand if you don't have a BACKBONE! Let's get at it NCO's and take pride in the finest job in the world!!