Cecelia Blackmon 1

Cecelia Blackmon
Jason Roberts
English 1010
December 2015
Female Soldiers Combating More Than Stereotypes

Women have been fighting for equality for centuries: voting rights, workplace, and now the
armed forces. Throughout history women have been peacemakers, caretakers, always from
behind the scenes. Her role anonymously caring for the sick, injured, and those left behind
unable to participate. Now as the soldier is evolving, so is the image. The majority of people in
the past would envision Captain America: strong, tall, muscular, handsome, dedicated and proud
for America/their homeland. Personally, I have fallen into thinking this stereotypical vision of
the American soldier. Presently, however, soldiers come in many different forms: tall, short,
skinny, husky, white, black, yellow, red, male, and now more noticeably, female. As I have
become older Ive realized the American soldier isnt just one stereotype, but many. Being an
Army wife and venturing with the idea of joining myself; Ive pondered on which the soldier I
want fighting next to my husband is crucial to his survival? It doesnt matter the gender of the
soldier, only if he/she can perform his/her duties well. With more women joining the armed
forces it makes sense the fight for gender equality would also catch up. By changing
generalizations of women from mothers, daughters, and sisters to fighters, soldiers, and warriors;
the ever changing female soldier can take the next step into the future. Since I am a civilian I
wanted to get soldiers perspectives on the topic. Ive spoken with several male and female

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soldiers about women in combat. The 1st Female Soldier shares her thoughts on generalizations
of women. Most of the negative what ifs that you hear from people when discussing this topic
stem from vast generalizations instead of considering individual soldiers that would be involved.
An example would be this: when I say women in combat or even just women to someone,
whom do they picture in their minds eye? Who do you picture? For a lot of people their minds
picture their mothers, or sisters, or wives and they base their judgements of whether or not those
women would do well in combat and generalize that perspective to women in combat. We
have to take into account the individual and their skills. After this discussion it made me think
about the concerns of allowing women in combat, what skills are necessary and can there be any
resolution on this argument?
As of January 1, 2016, females will be allowed to join combat units. In August 21, 2015,
two of the first females, Capt. Kristen Griest and 1st Lt. Shaye Harver, graduated from Army
Ranger School; solidifying footprints for future female soldiers to follow. Secretary of the Army,
John McHugh said in a press release We must ensure that this training opportunity is available
to all soldiers who are qualified and capable (Worland 1). Many people have concerns, one of
which of these is explained by the Toronto Star Tim Harper. He quotes REAL Women's Lettie
Morse Women cannot be in combat because they get pregnant, have only 60 per cent of a male's
upper body strength and because men would protect women in their battalion before they would
retaliate against the enemy. (1).
Many soldiers, both male and female, and civilians have the same concerns over females
joining combat units. Will the Armed Forces lower the physical standard only to allow females
to participate? Will this make our Armed Forces weaker, and what issues will arise allowing

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females in? Some other concerns I have are: physical fitness standard be met, unplanned
pregnancy and menstrual cycle, chivalry and/or discrimination.
The article Marines or Marines* argues females are weaker physically than males
naturally, however, there are females out there just as strong, if not stronger than some males.
The author states the soldier, male or female, needs to meet the physical standard to be allowed
to join any combat units. If you are in a firefight with the Taliban the physical requirements
inherent to combat will be the same regardless of gender (par. 4). If the soldier can meet the
standards for a combat position he/she should be allowed to join. Joining should not be biased to
one gender. While there are some females who wont meet the physical standard, there are those
who will. Physical fitness is not, however, my only concern. There are additional issues to
address: such as womens menstrual cycles and unplanned pregnancy.
When out in the field there isnt any access to toilets, showers or hygiene products. If a
woman runs out of tampons, pads, and/or panty-liners there isnt a supermarket she can just run
to down the street. So how does a female soldier handle such issues? In the article Women In
War: Operational Issues Of Menstruation And Unintended Pregnancy, Christopher, Leslie A.,
and Leslie Miller address this issue. Allowing female soldiers contraceptive, they would be able
to skip their menstrual cycle as long as needed (1). By doing this the female can participate with
no interruptions or further concerns alongside her fellow male team members. No need to worry
about supply, cleanliness and the frustrations associated with having a menstrual cycle, the
female soldier will be able to perform her abilities stress free.
This is the solution they provide to prevent pregnancies as well. Such pregnancies
ultimately leaves women unavailable to their unit while pregnant and on maternity leave. Tim
Harper with the Toronto Star quotes The REAL group's president, Gwen Landolt, Until men can

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get pregnant, women must stay out of combat because "you're going to have key combat roles
going unfilled because women will be on maternity leave"(1). Education on contraception
provided to female soldiers will give the opportunity for each female to make an educated
decision. Also, avoiding any future stresses related to an unplanned pregnancy.
If or when an unplanned pregnancy occurs it effects the overall unit readiness. That
female solider is no longer available to deploy with her fellow comrades. This is a controversial
issue regarding rights to the unit as well as to the individual herself. As mentioned above, others
will argue not allow women in combat at all due to this concern or even implement repercussions
on the female. Now we are getting into the argument of preventing female soldiers from getting
pregnant at all when they need to be available for combat. These are concerns that have been
addressed during my research that may be an issue to address in the future.
Women, being the gatekeepers of life, are often described as soft, gentle, timid, sweet,
and caregivers. Rarely are women viewed as strong, aggressive, fighters; an idealistic soldier. In
talking with other soldiers the first male soldier, who currently serves in a combat unit, shared
his opinion about females in combat and how this can hurt the unit. His response leans towards
the chivalry shown towards women. He said If a male soldier is down from a gunshot wound,
he is seen as equal and help is obviously a priority but he is still a male and men are strong and
can pull their way through. If a woman is down, women are seen as needing to be protected by
men and the men might go too far out of their way to ensure that the woman is fully taken care
of. There is no problem with that, it is human instinct, but it could compromise the mission at
hand.
He also expresses When men in a combat unit are together they become carnal, lewd,
and transform into something that I would never like to see a woman become. The environment

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is rough, lots of bad jokes, bad language, and what others from the outside looking in would see
as inappropriate behavior. Not any sort of a soft environment exists within these units, but they
get the job done however tough or dirty the work is.
While chivalry towards women is viewed as respectful, this is a great example of how a
unit can be affected negatively. The female soldier changes the environment just by her presence
alone. Second Male Soldier explains We must train our young soldiers to do what is right at all
times. Unfortunately, that kind of training might be next to impossible. Many young men
including myself are taught to treat females differently we were raised to put them on a pedestal,
we open doors, pump gas, mow lawns, fix vehicles, so that the females dont have to do the dirty
or physically demanding task. We have been engraved with the thought of chivalry. Some may
argue women in uniform are no longer women, they have now become soldiers. No longer soft,
gentle, sweet caregivers, but aggressive fighters. However, just as quoted above, will women be
viewed as women, not soldiers?
Other cultures around the world view women differently. Women are viewed as property,
second class citizen, and no rights whatsoever. What do you do when you have a male within
another culture who has these views? 2nd Female Soldier reiterates this issue Many cultures will
not allow females, other family members, to teach, train, or even touch them. A female in a key
leadership position encounters more resistance than males in equal key leadership positions. The
First Female Soldier also suggests I believe that mission requirements, rather than the
categorization of combat should be considered when determining who should be selected. In
other words a mission training individuals whose culture does not permit female instructors is
probably not a good fit for women. A mission that is going to be in a remote location for an
extended period of time where hygiene could become an issue may not be the best fit for a

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woman but should not immediately rule her out; rather just be weighed into the consideration of
who goes on the mission. Rather than saying should women be allowed in combat I believe each
mission should be looked at to find individual, male or female, who are the best fit.
Now that the concerns have been addressed, what can female soldiers offer? Major
Jacqueline S. L. Escobar states in Breaking the Kevlar Ceiling, The lack of women serving at
the highest levels of leadership is less an issue of unfairness, and more an issue of effectiveness
(71). By not allowing women into combat units prevents women from promoting to the higher
ranks. Most of the top ranks in the military require combat experience. The U.S. military
cannot reach its maximum potential until our personnel system fully integrates women into all
facets of service and all levels of leadership (Escobar 71). SSG Anonymous 2 shares I think
that a diversified background of personal experiences, beliefs, and points of view contribute to
more well-rounded unit. Are female soldiers able to provide this well-rounded feel to a
combat unit by just simply being female?
When the United States limits its human capital, it fails to optimize its strategic
decision-making ability (Escobar 72). Thus, [women in combat] is actually a matter of national
security because the U.S. military fails to meet its full potential, with federal law excluding half
of Americas talent pool from ground-combat roles (Escobar 72). Despite the military allowing
women within the ranks, female soldiers are withheld many promotional opportunities by being
denied combat service. Female soldiers are being viewed as the traditional 1950s clich; a
timid, soft-spoken, housewife. By being barred from participating in combat units, only allowed
in womanly roles prevents any future progress. Although women have fought and died in
every war since the founding of this country, we continue to participate not as honored veterans
but as keepers of the flame of remembrance and organizers of rituals (The Very Best Soldier

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386). Society still views women as the domestic caregiver while men are viewed as strong
protectors, knights in shining armor. When a woman puts on her uniform she no longer
identifies with the domestic caregiver, but as the strong warrior that she is. Just as able as a male
soldier to direct, order, and lead a troop into battle; fully capable to fight for the soldiers around
her protecting the same freedoms that have been denied her in previous centuries. Allowing
females in all aspects of the military provide a fresh outlook, a new approach, and the advantages
of educated eager minds.
As war continues to rage throughout the world, the necessity for supreme soldiers
are needed. Generalizations of women need to be set aside allowing the females who desire a
combat filled career an opportunity. Many females have made the ultimate sacrifice just as their
fellow male comrades; equaling deserving of the promotions offered from combat experience.
Females have proven they have the skills, knowledge, and strength to be successful within a
combat unit. As shown there are now solutions providing females a way to handle
discrimination and different scenarios that may have previously thwarted their attempts of being
combat-ready. Gender equality is being woven throughout the armed forces. Whether you agree
or disagree as of January 2016 the final stitch will be complete allowing females to participate in
combat units as a whole team. No longer segregated by gender, all becoming one; a fully
qualified soldier.

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Works Cited

Christopher, Leslie A., and Leslie Miller. Women in War: Operational Issues of Menstruation
and Unintended Pregnancy. Military Medicine 172.1 (2007): 9-16. Military &
Government Collection. Web 5 Oct. 2015.

Escobar, Jacqueline S. L. Breaking the Kevlar Ceiling. Military Review 93.2 (2013): 70-78.
Military & Government Collection. Web 23 Oct. 2015.

Marines or Marines*? U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings 139.2 (2013): 82. Military &
Government Collection. Web. 1 Oct. 2015.

Miller, Laura L. Feminism and the Exclusion of Army Women from Combat. Gender Issues
16.3 (1998): 33-64. Academic Search Premier. Web. 10 September 2015.

Worland, Justin. Army Ranger School Now Open to Women Permanently. Time.Com (2015):
N.PAG. Military & Government Collection. Web. 2 Dec. 2015.

Zeiger, Dinah. The Very Best Soldier. Honoring Female Veterans. Feminist Media Studies 5.3
(2005): 385-387. Communication & Mass Media Complete. Web. 2 Dec, 2015