Monday
Mar232009
Women in the Army: Why look beyond gender?
Monday, March 23, 2009 at 2:26PM
The Defense Department Advisory Committee on Women in the Services held a meeting with a panel of women serving in the U.S. Army. Participants included Cynthia Pritchett, Army Command Sergeant Major, June Bingham, Coast Guard SKC and Candace Sharp, Air Force Chief Master Sergeant.
Pritchett spoke about her experience in the military and the need to look beyond gender. She described that it is important to have equal training in the military despite gender and that women have as much right to defend their country as men.
Pritchett also stated that by allowing an all-girl infirmary, the military can get a chance to discover if it works or not. By not allowing it, people will not know how the results will be.
Bingham discussed the Coast Guard’s important role in combat and explained that they were often not recognized in the military. She explained that the oversight could be because of the small size of the Coast Guard. Bingham also spoke about the mentality that refers to women as the weaker sex and its presence both within the Coast Guard and the military.
Sharp spoke about young mother’s situation while signing up for the Air Force. She described the women’s conflict between their maternal instinct and their patriotism. Sharp stressed the importance of letting women choice whether or not they want to serve their country. She also explained that a big issue within the military is the lack of support when sexual assault has occurred. The need to train officials for these kinds of situations is essential, Sharp stated. She also pointed out that sexual assault affects both women and men and it is easy to neglect the male assault.
Pritchett spoke about her experience in the military and the need to look beyond gender. She described that it is important to have equal training in the military despite gender and that women have as much right to defend their country as men.
Pritchett also stated that by allowing an all-girl infirmary, the military can get a chance to discover if it works or not. By not allowing it, people will not know how the results will be.
Bingham discussed the Coast Guard’s important role in combat and explained that they were often not recognized in the military. She explained that the oversight could be because of the small size of the Coast Guard. Bingham also spoke about the mentality that refers to women as the weaker sex and its presence both within the Coast Guard and the military.
Sharp spoke about young mother’s situation while signing up for the Air Force. She described the women’s conflict between their maternal instinct and their patriotism. Sharp stressed the importance of letting women choice whether or not they want to serve their country. She also explained that a big issue within the military is the lack of support when sexual assault has occurred. The need to train officials for these kinds of situations is essential, Sharp stated. She also pointed out that sexual assault affects both women and men and it is easy to neglect the male assault.
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