Gender Equality And Stereotypes In The Military

The idea of women in the military has caused much controversy over the years. Some people believe that women don’t have what it takes because they are too frail and weak, and therefore, should not be allowed to enlist. While others, believe that women can definitely handle themselves and can actually be a benefit to the military. I happen to be in the latter, but only to an extent. I firmly believe that certain women have what it takes, but not nearly all, same goes for men too. You may have the passion and determination, but it still goes to stand that the military is indeed a vicious place, and not everybody has the required mental and physical ability to make it, no matter how much they try. Given this unfortunate, but crucial fact, I can understand how some people believe that no woman should be allowed to enlist, however, even though the military is extremely trying and never to be taken lightly, I believe that there are women in the world who can deal and hold their own

Women have served the military in one fashion or another since the Revolutionary War, in recent years the status of women serving in the military has changed dramatically. Traditionally women have always served in administrative or medical roles. With the advancement of views and the sheer determination of many women, we are seeing women serving in combat and fighting alongside their male counterparts. Training schools such as the Army Ranger school, Marine Infantry training, and pilot training within the Navy and Air Force have opened and began training women to fight. The history of some accomplishments women have made while serving in the military has paved the way for the future of women soldiers to follow.

ecretary Panetta 's decision to repeal the Department of Defense policy preventing women from serving in direct ground combat units opened Pandora 's box. We have since witnessed a fierce debate over whether women should be allowed to serve in specialties previously opened to males only. The media promptly rushed to side with those contending that all direct ground combat jobs should be open to women, suggesting that women proven had themselves on a "nonlinear" battlefield, where there were no distinguishable front and rear lines. Furthermore, many have rallied behind those women who have been able to demonstrate superior physical abilities, such as the two women soldiers that recently completed Ranger School. I would submit in line with the 1992 Presidential Commission on the Assignment of Women in the Armed Forces that neither accomplishment demonstrates that these women or women in general are the "best-qualified and most capable" to serve in direct ground combat arms specialties. This issue is not about what women should be allowed to do, it 's really about what are they capable of doing. The bias is not institutional, the bias is physiological.

Secretary Mr. Panetta’s decision to repeal the DOD policy preventing women from serving in direct ground combat units opened Pandora’s Box on the debate of whether or not women should be allowed to serve in specialties previously opened to males only. The narrative regarding the women serving in direct ground combat arms specialties was immediately high jacked by those sympathetic to women who have served in combat on a “nonlinear” battlefield, where there were no distinguishable front and rear lines. Additionally, many have rallied behind those women who have been able to demonstrate superior physical abilities, such as the two women soldiers that recently completed Ranger School. I would submit that neither accomplishment demonstrates that these women or women in general are the “best-qualified and most capable” to serve in direct ground combat arms specialties. This issue is not about what women should be allowed to do, it’s really about what are they capable of doing. The bias is not institutional, the bias is physiological.

The United States Army was founded on June 14, 1775, and since this day women have helped nurture this great branch into what is known today as the largest and oldest United States Military service. (“Women”) The US Army is consisted of about 452,064 enlisted soldiers and 87,610 officers. This total of 539,675 makes up 37.8% of all of the military branches. ("Demographics”) As time has carried on more and more women are looking to serve the country in the Army. While women have many skills and abilities to offer, there is still a major issue that needs to be addressed. Double standards for women in the Army has created a disservice to not only the females but the entire Army. In order to have a more efficient armed force, standards for men and women should be equivalent.

Our military has been around for over 241 years, establishing its strength and developing itself to be one of the strongest, most potent, and patriotic military's of the world. Our military, consisting of the five branches (Marine Corps, Army, Navy, Air Force, and the Coast Guard) as of October 1st, 2016 opened all military occupational specialties (MOS) to females. This may be one of the largest leaps in history that our country has made. However, with women's roles in the combat being changed they are required to pass all training with the same standards males have. This questions the service and brings to a debate on why the double standards in place today still remain. With the exception of females in combat meeting male requirements to qualify, I come to question the effects that these double standards have on the U.S. military, both past and present, in regards to the military's strength as a unit and the effects that they have on bringing together the members as one team despite these differences inflicted by gender. Both men and women of the service have the possibility to stand alongside one another while representing the same face-value and quality as

Women have been part of the military since the Revolutionary War such as nurses and clerical workers, (Street, Vogt and Dutra, 2009, p. 686). While these women did have typical female jobs for that time period, women were of great help because without them, the men who were wounded may not have been taken care of as well and the paperwork may have been backlogged and unorganized. Since then, women have slowly made more entrances in the military in other areas than just medical and desk work. Currently, women occupy 80% of the military occupational specialties and 90% of the careers offered in the military, which is a huge jump from where women were back in World War II or even just a decade ago, (Weiss and DeBraber, 2013, p. 37). With this

Women in the military have changed drastically over the last few decades from a strict roles often as nurses, they are now moving into pilot fighting and working on aircraft carriers. In the military the roles of women are questioned on a

The equal rights gained by women a long time ago should be applied now. Those who volunteer for front line jobs will be willing to put in the work to meet the standards. The women who are dedicated will do what it takes to become a perfect soldier. With different training efforts, physical differences will be addressed prior to entering war situations. To reduce the likelihood of injury, women would get extra pre-training so that they would be build up enough strength. In today’s frontline warfare, intellect is more valuable than physical strength. Women help with team building and leadership skills beneficial to front line combat teams and success. Therefore, women are just as suitable as men if they tried hard enough.

Women have been enlisted in the armed forces since June 12, 1948, when President Truman signed the Woman’s Armed Services Integration Act. Throughout this time, women have served several different roles; however, women were not allowed to serve in combat forces. Arguments offer the idea that women are physically and emotionally capable of performing the same as men. Researchers have proven that only a small percentage of women have the psychical capability to perform the demanding aspects of military training, although there are a select few women that are capable of completing the qualification standards to join the combat forces. With that being said, women should be allowed to fight on the front lines.

When it comes to combat assignments and the needs of the military, men take precedence over all other considerations, including career prospects of female service members. Female military members have been encouraged to pursue opportunities and career enhancement within the armed forces, which limit them only to the needs and good of the service due to women being not as “similarly situated” as their male counterparts when it comes to strength or aggressiveness, and are not able to handle combat situations.

Introduction/Objective: Women serving in combat positions has been a highly controversial topic and is openly criticized by many. The push for equality by allowing women to serve in combat positions is not just isolated to a few military branches of service. Secretary Carter stated, “For the first time in U.S. military history, as long as they qualify and meet specific standards, women will be able to contribute to the Defense Department mission with no barriers at all in their way.” (Pellerin, 2016). Based on the Secretary’s recommendation, women will be eligible for all positions to include roles in combat. Senior leaders noted that this will provide a better selection of candidates, therefore increasing the quality of the selection process, (Commander Call Topics, 2015). The leading idea behind gender neutrality is to improve the military’s position regarding well-qualified personnel in key positions, (Commander Call Topics, 2015). This integration is supported through equal opportunity for everyone who inspires to serve their country. The standards will remain the same, therefore women will need to pass the same requirements as their male counterparts, (Commander Call Topics, 2015).

Now it has come into question if the standards display social equality for the women of the military. It is absurd as well as unnecessary to create gender neutral standards when the sexes differ so greatly. From the uniform they wear, to the duties they perform, females have proven themselves to be equal service members, deserving to stand apart from the men.

Throughout our nation’s history, women have played an important role in the military. It has not been until recently however, that women have been able to fully

Women have fought alongside men in the United States Military in every major battle since the American Revolution. The roles of women in the military have evolved over time to allow the incorporation of women in expanding military career fields. Women have proven themselves to be an asset to the military despite some of society believing women would weaken America’s military effectiveness. Today more than 200,000 women are active-duty military, this is about 14.5% of all military. Currently, women are involved in all branches of the Armed Forces; there are around 74,000 women in the Army, 62,000 in the Air Force, 53,000 in the Navy, and 14,000 in the Marine Corps (By the numbers: Women in the U.S. Military). Military women continue to