I think there is nothing more that people who push to see a "first" individual in various fields would like to see than a time when there are no more firsts, because the minority groups have been integrated thoroughly. But unfortunately, there are those whose agendas are to stop "firsts" from happening. They fought the first integrated Army units. They fought the first women in various specialties. They fought against having the first openly gay soldiers serving. They fought against the first female Ranger School graduates. And most currently, they are fighting against having the first females in the combat arms.

So as long as there are people who seek to deny others equality of opportunity, to deny people the chance to succeed or fail on their own merits, there will, unfortunately be the need to recognize the "firsts". But I am confident from seeing mutlple polls that show that the younger people, from ages 18-29, support giving opportunity for all in far greater numbers than the old folks do, that the prejudices and discrimination will fade away much faster than one would think by the intensity of those who want to maintain a tiered system of opportunity.

LTC (Join to see) - Tell that to President Obama, Loretta Lynch, Erich Holder, Jeh Johnson. Can't speak for the "they", but IMO, the time for all that BS that is intended to be divisive should stop. No one that is posting against anything isn't doing it for anti-gender reasons, but to ensure we choose the best people for the job, that are qualified and makes sense, as far as unit cohesion and practicality. There are exceptions on both sides but the majority are not misogynists or racists.

MCPO Roger Collins - people can't claim they are for ensuring that they are choosing the best people for a job when they automatically exclude entire groups of people from the opportunity to demonstrate they are the best person for the job. That's the heart of all of these issues. When individuals are precluded due to generalizations or stereotypes of a group.

LTC (Join to see) - How is that accurate today? The decision makers have remedied that. The discussion today is primarily on equal standards in the military.

Capt'n Turner was a Neat, Neat Lady and it was my Honor to be her Master at Arms, Urinalysis Coordinator and Tech Control Leading Petty Officer. She Was Awesome.

Actually All the Ladies that were my Officer Corps in DC were Outstanding Even the JG and Ensign that I butted heads with on Several Occasions were Super (JG, Ensign and Myself were the Distance Runners, Those 2 would leave me in the Dust but they were the Only Ones, I usually finished 3rd behind them).