Women in Military

Women serving in the military is a topic that most people have very strong convictions on. Rather you are for or against women serving, you can find strong opinions that support both sides in this contentious dispute. Women have struggled to fit into the military life for years. Even though woman have fought alongside men in each key battle from the start of the American Revolution, they still find it hard to shake the stereo types about woman who serve. Woman have always had to cloak themselves in a masquerade of sorts to serve alongside men. When woman were finally accepted into the military, they were given secondary roles to the men. The Pentagon has just recently began to realize that gender really do not matter on the battlefield. Since the Pentagons enlightenment, one can now see progress in the integration of women in all expanding military careers. Women have always proven that they are not only an asset to the military but they are the strength of the America’s military.

Over the past few years, there has been huge discussions when the topic of equality for women who have joined the military is being brought up. Being that gender equality is a big thing in the military now, I decided to chose this topic and discuss how I feel about it. According to the United States constitution, all men are created equal and this does not exclude women. One of the main things I learned is that equality for women in the military is a major issue. There should be no gender inequality in the United States military period. Most jobs are now open to women that were once allowed for only a man to do but when it comes to something such as the military, it should have always been that way No one should be told they can’t do something when it requires fighting for your country. Even back when men were drafted in the military, women should have been able to get drafted as well. You would think the military would take any and everybody that is willing to fight for his or her country simply because it would make our job easier as a whole. Frequently, women are stereotyped as feeble and incapable of doing certain things. Nevertheless, this should not be applied in any kind of career, particularly in the military.

From Continental Army Soldier Deborah Samson to Army Sergeant Leigh Ann Hester, American ladies have been serving in the U.S. Military for several years. Women have been a piece of the war exertion since the Revolutionary War, yet in the beginning of our country they needed to mask themselves to serve alongside men. When they were acknowledged into the military, ladies were given helper or supportive parts. As the weapons and strategies for fighting changed in the late 20th century, in any case, the Pentagon started to soon understand that whether you were female or male; it mattered less on the combat zone.

“On November 11, 1865, President Johnson signed a bill to present Dr. Mary Edwards Walker with the Congressional Medal of Honor for Meritorious Service, in order to recognize her contributions to the war effort without awarding her an army commission. She was the only woman ever to receive the Medal of Honor, her country 's highest military award.” (3) Dr. Edward is just one example of millions of women who have volunteered and sacrificed their time, family and sometimes their lives. Since that time in some fashion women have helped defend the United States against all enemies, both foreign and domestic. Even taking on these responsibilities they were denied the right to vote. Another military example would be women Drill Sergeants. Drill Sergeants are considered the most elite soldiers in the military. They are chosen to train new recruits, therefore they are considered the best of the best. In order the train these soldiers the Drill Sergeants are trained in an extremely tough school for nine weeks. “In late 1971, headquarters Continental Army Command received permission from Chief of Staff of the Army William C. Westmoreland to include women in the drill sergeant program. In February 1972, six NCOs from the Women 's Army Corps at Fort McClellan, Ala., were enrolled in the drill sergeant program at Fort Jackson.” (4) So, while women’s suffrage was still continuing our nation was having women train our

Women have played an instrumental role in every American conflict from the Revolutionary War to today complex battlefields. A major turning point for women’s rights was the establishment of the Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps (WAAC) shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor. WAAC soldiers fought to gain legitimacy within the military and overcome social biases. Their professionalism and determination paved the way forward for women’s integration into one all military branches. The best way to illustrate women’s integration is to start back in colonial times.

In the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, our courageous women in uniform have served with honor, on the front lines — and some have given their very lives.” (Gilkey) Having women in will not hinder but instead help us. Women can help our military ten-fold. Finally, Women are now becoming prevelant in authorative positions.

During World War I the United States Navy and Marine Corps began allowing women to enlist. Over 12,000 women enlisted and more than 400 of them gave their live to fight for freedom. Women have taken an active role in the military starting in the Revolutionary War. The first female ever recorded to serve was Deborah Gannett who in 1782 used her brother’ name to enlist. After being shot, she removed the musket ball from her own thigh so the doctor would not discover her gender. Women in the military increase significantly in World War II with more than 351, 000 served. In fact the stateside Marine Corps Headquarters 85% of personnel was females. By 1991, women were allowed to serve in integrated units with in warzones. Even though women were prohibited from serving in units engaged in direct ground combat, in 2005 and 2008 two women were awarded the Silver Star for exceptional valor in close-quarters combat. As of 2013, there are close to 970,000 women who are enlisted and active or are serving as reservist.

There are over 200,000 women serving in the military, yet they still do not get recognized like men do. Our nation’s military is all-volunteer and their intentions are to defend and protect our country’s freedom. So why is it that women join the military having the exact same mindset that all the men joining have but they do not get the same treatment? Women go through the same training and hardships in bootcamp and are qualified to do the same things as their male counterparts. However, females are not allowed to serve on front-line combat units, serve as special service soldiers, nor can they hold prestigious ranks. A majority of the inequality that is experienced is based on the idea that masculinity determines one’s toughness and success in combat. In the eyes of many, women play a support role to men and are there for a man’s needs, but that’s not the case at all.

In the article “Women in the Military” mentions the women have been joining the military since 2000. Besides that, women who serve the military do require a lot of physical requirement because of stereotypical thinking of women being weak. Even more, some commanders want more women to participate in the use of technology. Women tried fighting this kind of idea but managed to fail; In 2003 young women named Lynch was the only survivor of an insurgent attack in Iraq, which motivated more women to join the army. Even more, women that join the army also experienced harassment and rape. After these incidents, it was decided that the military training was not going to be co-ed basic training. By doing this the pentagon announced in 2013 that they

Not too long ago, women were not allowed in the Special Forces or Special Operations in the United States military. Women have played a big part in each war the United States has been through. Examples include: During the Revolutionary War and Civil War, women cross-dressed and enlisted under aliases and during the World Wars, women took the jobs of the men as they were sent to war and some even joined them in arms on the field as medics or volunteers at the Red Cross. The research I will conduct will give a brief history of women in the military and give valid information as to how women are used and needed in the special forces and special operations.

Women have been participating in the United States military since the Revolutionary War, where they were nurses, maids, cooks and even spies. They played vital roles in order to keep those fighting on the front lines healthier, and even a more important role in keeping commanding officers informed with private information stolen from the other side. Although the Revolutionary War took play in 1776, the first law to be passed that permanently stated that women have an official place in the military was in 1948, almost one hundred and seventy-two years later. Since that time there has been a lack of true growth when it comes to integration of females in the military. In 1994, a law was passed that tried to prohibit women from being assigned to ground combat units below the brigade level. Women are excluded from more then 25% of active combat roles within the military and only in 2013 was the ban lifted which was the final barrier to allowing women into all active roles. This has been a huge step in the direction for women being considered as being equal but there are still challenges that women face within the military. Ranging from sexual assault, discrimination, bullying, and other tactics, it is clear that for many, the military is still a “boys club.”

After years of discussion and debate it appears that soon women will be sent into combat operations in the United States military. This is the way it should be because women are ready and competent to be put into combat roles in the U.S. military. Indeed, slowly but surely, the Defense Department and Congress have been inching towards a decision that will formalize the policy; in fact the National Defense Authorization Act, put before Congress in May, 2012 by U.S. Senators John McCain and Carl Levin will in effect order the military "…to come up with a plan to send women into battle" (McAuliff, 2012). Hopes are high that this will be approved by Congress and signed into law by President Barack Obama.

Women fighting in the war since when? Women have been apart of the military war in early years of 1973 small parts such as being a nurse or providing services for the men. For example, in 1991 The Persian Gulf War more than 41,000 women are deployed to combat zone. 1993-Congress authorizes women to fly in combat mission,and serve in combat boat. 2000-Captain Kathleen McGrath first women to be Command U.S. Navy Warship. 2005-The “War on Terror” Sergeant Leigh Ann Hester is awarded Silver Star for combat actions. 2008-16,000 women serve in Iraq,Germany,Japan and etc.“Women in the United States United States Military.” The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. Recently they have moved up by competing in hard core Ranger Schools graduaing at the top of their class with the same accomplishments and stigma as 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