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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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I must begin by stating that it is good to make known that other male Marines came to the rescue of their fellow Marine that happened to be female, from assault by another Marine. High standards of honor and courage is amongst the great qualities required of those who serve in the US military, every branch of the military.
I'll continue by humbly stating that Soldiers do stand up for other Soldiers (gender not withstanding) and sexual harassment and assault has a zero tolerance in the Army, may not be 100% of male Soldiers that stand up for female Soldiers just like I know that it's not 100% of male Marines that stand up for female Marines against sexual harassment and assault.
Indeed, in the Army that I know, female Soldiers are respected and male Soldiers got the back of female and male soldiers alike.
The Army values include the requirement for all Soldiers to be honorable and have personal courage, standing up for what is right irrespective risk to self, female or male.
I'll continue by humbly stating that Soldiers do stand up for other Soldiers (gender not withstanding) and sexual harassment and assault has a zero tolerance in the Army, may not be 100% of male Soldiers that stand up for female Soldiers just like I know that it's not 100% of male Marines that stand up for female Marines against sexual harassment and assault.
Indeed, in the Army that I know, female Soldiers are respected and male Soldiers got the back of female and male soldiers alike.
The Army values include the requirement for all Soldiers to be honorable and have personal courage, standing up for what is right irrespective risk to self, female or male.
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Thank you so much, SSG V. Michelle Woods for sharing this story and your own thoughts.
I shared a similar comment on another discussion in regards to females being allowed to attend Ranger training. In the same respect, that instead of arguing whether or not it should or should not happen... Would it not be more pertinent to stand up and support our fellow Soldiers as they take on this immense challenge?!
I personally have been blessed to always know my battles have my back. Whether male or female, they have always supported me, protected me and kept me in line when I was waivering. I strive everyday to do everything I can for my brothers and sisters!!
The day I am no longer proud to be a Soldier in this Army is the day I will get out and I hope that day never comes!!!
I shared a similar comment on another discussion in regards to females being allowed to attend Ranger training. In the same respect, that instead of arguing whether or not it should or should not happen... Would it not be more pertinent to stand up and support our fellow Soldiers as they take on this immense challenge?!
I personally have been blessed to always know my battles have my back. Whether male or female, they have always supported me, protected me and kept me in line when I was waivering. I strive everyday to do everything I can for my brothers and sisters!!
The day I am no longer proud to be a Soldier in this Army is the day I will get out and I hope that day never comes!!!
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SSG V. Michelle Woods
I know exactly what you mean SFC (Join to see)!
What I find to be inspirational is the amount of men, both prior service and currently serving, who have stood up and said they support us as soldiers. I really feel like things are changing for the better, slowly but surely.
What I find to be inspirational is the amount of men, both prior service and currently serving, who have stood up and said they support us as soldiers. I really feel like things are changing for the better, slowly but surely.
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I am sorry you did not experience the support from your male counterpartsthat you needed. I cannot say the same of my male Soldier coworkers. We have been in bar settings in the past and they care for me as a big brother would their little sister. If anyone looked at me wrong, or even hinted towards foul thoughts of what they wish to do to me or my body, they step in right away and put that scoundrel on check. So, when you say that Soldiers do not have the same integrity as those Marines, I take offense. I challenge you to consider that not all males are the same.
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SSG V. Michelle Woods
Thank you for your response SPC (Join to see). Please let me assure you, I do not look at all males the same.
What I wrote referenced my experiences, which have already happened.
What I wrote referenced my experiences, which have already happened.
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This is very true and as a former Infantry Marine I never disrespected any female Marine or Corpsmen. Also, we were taught that all Marines were equal across the board. Most importantly to never disrespect a woman both growing up in Southeast Arkansas and the military abroad!
Semper Fi,
CPL Morgan
0311/Infantryman
Echo Co, 2/7 1st Mar Div
1992-1996
This We'll Defend,
Bryan K. Morgan
First Sergeant
USA Retired
Semper Fi,
CPL Morgan
0311/Infantryman
Echo Co, 2/7 1st Mar Div
1992-1996
This We'll Defend,
Bryan K. Morgan
First Sergeant
USA Retired
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SSG V. Michelle Woods
My first NCO, great guy, great leader, also from Southern Arkansas and had all the manners of a Southern gentleman.
He also held me to the same standards as any other super troop, regardless of gender.
BTW, 1SG, I am currently in your neck the woods! Ebola quarantine HOOAH! lol
He also held me to the same standards as any other super troop, regardless of gender.
BTW, 1SG, I am currently in your neck the woods! Ebola quarantine HOOAH! lol
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I'm a woman who proudly served 8 years on active duty in the Marine Corps. The Marines I served with were my brothers and sisters, bottom line, and we treated each other that way. Sometimes that meant we gave each other flack but we still stood by one another. I had a stalker in the barracks for a short time and that situation resolved within days. The guys in my unit found out and told him that nobody messes with a Marine in CSSD-23 without dealing with all of them. We all did the same thing for guys in the unit. It was like that everywhere I went. It's called Esprit de Corps. We may have our gripes between infantry and POGs, men and women, etc but if you serve together nobody messes with your family.
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I take issue w/the title of the thread "The Marines Defend Their Women"
God knows I am not the most politically correct man, but this title seems rather demeaning to woman. It conveys that woman are property needing defending.
Secondly, the narrative seems provocative in trying to make a distinction between the honor of male soldiers vs that of their marine counterparts. At the risk of appearing politically incorrect I think the whole thread is demeaning by attempting to find an argument for a deep seeded bias...a bias against male soldiers.
God knows I am not the most politically correct man, but this title seems rather demeaning to woman. It conveys that woman are property needing defending.
Secondly, the narrative seems provocative in trying to make a distinction between the honor of male soldiers vs that of their marine counterparts. At the risk of appearing politically incorrect I think the whole thread is demeaning by attempting to find an argument for a deep seeded bias...a bias against male soldiers.
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Cpl Sharon Robino-West
Maj Hastings, you are correct in that the article shows bias. After all, men are victims of sexual assault too.
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SSG V. Michelle Woods,
I also grew up in the South and my mother and Father taught me to open doors (especially car doors) and to treat women with respect. They also taught me to defend women. I have not been in or around a situation that the Marines you mentioned were in, but if I was I surely would have intervened.
Sexual assault and harassment is such a huge problem in the Army and it sickens me to the point where I don't want my daughters joining something that I have dedicated my life to. If I was assured that my daughter's teammates would be more like those Marines, I would change my mind.
I also grew up in the South and my mother and Father taught me to open doors (especially car doors) and to treat women with respect. They also taught me to defend women. I have not been in or around a situation that the Marines you mentioned were in, but if I was I surely would have intervened.
Sexual assault and harassment is such a huge problem in the Army and it sickens me to the point where I don't want my daughters joining something that I have dedicated my life to. If I was assured that my daughter's teammates would be more like those Marines, I would change my mind.
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I agree. I was sexually assaulted five times on active duty in the navy, and not only did no one, male or female, come to my rescue, but when I reported the incidents, they were promoted shortly thereafter, and my evaluations were dropped so far I was not allowed to advance. This was typical and commonplace in the navy, especially when I was in, which was during the period when they were just beginning to allow women into combat support roles. Like you, I am from the chivalrous South, and like you, I was not accustomed to a society where men would stand idly by and laugh while women were treated like a side of beef. I enjoyed my job, and I loved being in the navy, feeling as if I was serving a cause that was higher and more noble than myself, but the sexual assault and harrassment problem was more than I could handle.
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SSG V. Michelle Woods
I wish I had something more comforting to say but since I dont, I'll just say what comes natural. Im so sorry you experienced this and it's very brave of you to put your story out there.
It may be too little, too late but hopefully you can take some comfort in knowing that for some serving today, things are getting better.
Above all, thank you so much for your service.
It may be too little, too late but hopefully you can take some comfort in knowing that for some serving today, things are getting better.
Above all, thank you so much for your service.
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PO1 (Join to see)
That is disheartening to hear. I'm sorry you had to go through that. SA is a huge issue in the military, but as long as we stay vigilant, we can overcome it. Its one of the things I personally feel strong about, and I can't wait for the day that accounts such as yours are truly a thing of the past.
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PO2 Frances Smart
Petty Officer Ramadan, I served my last two years in the reserve at VR-56, out of NAS Norfolk. That was back in 1989-90. I lived on 11th Bay, which back then was not that great of a neighborhood. Are you stationed there in Norfolk, or is that your home? And you and I wish for the same thing then. I have to say that VR-56 was the best command I ever served with. I had a supervisor who backed me, who believed in me, and who never, EVER let someone mistreat me simply because I was a female in a "man's world." For the first time in eight years, I felt as if I was in the right place for me. But I left there with my husband in 1990 to attend seminary in Florida. Looking back, I wish I had stayed. :)
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I have always looked out for the well being of my fellow service members, male or female. I am horrified to hear that you have not had soldiers with a similar opinion in any of your units.
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Sexual harassment has no place in our country or our military. The women who serve should be honored as much as they men.
r/
Steve
and if I did not open the door for a lady my father would reach from the grave to ring my neck! :)
r/
Steve
and if I did not open the door for a lady my father would reach from the grave to ring my neck! :)
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