Video Post #7: Women in the Military

In this video, 3 very distinguished women provide keen insights into the subject of women in the military – specifically Women serving in combat positions.

1. Erica Borgren – Director, Department of Veterans Affairs

2. Rebecca Hannagan – Professor of Political Science, Northern Illinois University

3. Kimberly Mitchell – Deputy Director, Dixon Center with 17 years of service in the US Navy including Surface Warfare Officer

There was a recent change in the US Armed Forces last Spring that lifts a ban and allows women to serve in combat positions. All these women feel this was long overdue. In fact, women have been serving for over a decade in combat roles already – e.g. as medics, in transportation, etc. One considered it a great recognition of how women have proved themselves. Another pointed out that it enables more women to be considered for the top Commander positions.

Then they talked about the challenges and what will be needed to make it work.

1. Top down command policy must be there – so everyone is fully on board. It is the role of Military leadership to transition this effectively. It will take some fantastic women to break the ground because it will inevitably take a while for everyone to get used to it. Women will most likely have to deal with disrespect and harassment, much like they received when they 1^st entered into the military.

2. There must be standards so that the objectivity is removed - women can meet those standards and therefore not be questioned. Climbing over the 10 ft. wall – women may not be able to do this as well as a man but is this really an imperative feat? We must have standards that match the job – re-evaluate what is critical.

3. Training needs to be the same – male or female. They must train together – helps soldiers to bond with fellow soldiers. Also, males are given the opportunity to fail and re-take the training – should be the same for women.

4. They need Veteran’s services just like men when they return from military duty for successful transition and re-integration into civilian life. Just like men they do not want pity but recognition of their potential. The panel thought it would be good to have more women helping each other as more women go through service and come back – to deal with women’s issues like child care, continued relationships with their military friends, etc.

In my opinion, this is a great step to allowing women to advance in the military. Getting those tops jobs often depend on the person having served in a combat zone. If you are an operator, you are more likely to advance to the upper echelon than a career staff officer (traditional job for women). It is obvious to me that there is still a culture of masculinity that dominates the military. Also when people talk on TV about it, they often say “Yes I support women in combat BUT…”. I agree with the panel that we need to stop saying “BUT”. One of the critiques for this is “are women physically capable?” to stand side by side with males in battle. I think having standards will allow women to prove they can meet the standards required by the job and the same standards as men. It is also important to integrate them into the same activities as the men. Armies are all about oneness and team work – how to function as 1 unit working together. Another key issue is preventing sexual trauma in the Military. According to the panel, this has been and still is prevalent and may increase as more women play more roles in the Military. This needs to be addressed in veteran support services and the laws need to be more strictly and evenly enforced. There should be training of the leadership for no tolerance. Commanders should be held responsible and every complaint should be given due course of evaluation.