When I was in the army I had some conversations with men who honestly felt that women didn't belong in the military. These men stated their opinions tactfully, and I saw where they were coming from.
Women have strived to earn near equal status to males in recent decades. If a man were to say "No, the military is no place for a woman... We men serve to protect gentle flowers like yourself," then he'd be in violation of Equal Opportunity statutes. There's not much that civilized men can do to keep fierce women down anymore. Until the 20th century the very thought of women serving in the military was unheard of. After all, few women could be as audacious and brave as Joan of Arc.
When I joined the military, the road had long since been paved for women in that career field. I'm glad I had that opportunity because it benefitted me educationally & financially, and I'm forever grateful for the experiences it gave me. But I'll be the first to admit that aside from being a highly-trained, highly-educated pawn for the government, I probably wouldn't have had the heart to kill an enemy in battle. If faced with the situation, I probably would have shot up his knees and shot the weapon out of his hands then run like hell.
I must say that the military would be a lot more rugged and hardcore if women were left out of the picture. If there were no women in the military, I'm certain that a lot less money would be spent. There's the money on women's uniforms. Sending women home from deployments because they're pregnant. Then there are the beautifcation efforts. I wonder if men really care how pink and frilly their dining facilities and newer barracks are? No, I sense the touch of women there. One man even commented to me once, "Do you notice how effeminate the military seems to be? I wasn't expecting that when I joined."
So what if women weren't allowed in the military? What would the military be like? What would America be like (aside from being sent back to an unenlightened era of so-called female repression )? I think it's an interesting topic, and I'd love to hear someone's ideas on it.
But for now and probably always, women are pretty much self-proclaimed equal partners with men in the military. The reasons women join the military are as varied as the women themselves. Some are raised in military families and / or feel strongly about serving their country. Some women are filled with a bit more testosterone than average and the military feels right for them (I can say this because it applies to me...I'm not making fun of manly women). Some gals do it for college money, and it's a great way to earn it. Some gals are healthy, young and fierce and like it that way. Some people want to make careers out of it. To others the military is a stepping-stone.
I'm glad that my military service ended before this lame "war on terror" broke out. I'm glad I never had to see war. I used the military to further myself, and I'm certain that's what a lot of people do. The U.S. Gov't spent way too much money on me, but I suppose it wouldn't have been a waste if I'd stayed in the military forever. Leaving out basic training and all of the other expensive schools I was sent to, let's take a two-year snapshot of the time I spent at the Defense Language Institute. I was told that each soldier / airman / seaman / marine grunt will have at least a million bucks invested into them by the time they graduate. The reason I feel this money is a waste is: Few graduates even USE the full extent of their language skills in their jobs. That bothers me a lot. Few people will admit to this, because, hey, they just received an awesome education at the government's expense...while living on the beach...and getting PAID!!
What was my experience as a U.S. Soldier, specifically from the viewpoint of an innocent young woman? Going in, I was honestly prepared to spend the entire four years in basic training mode. I loved basic training. It was a blast. I loved the physical challenges (although it wasn't very challenging because I was prepared for much harder things...I was in better physical shape before basic training than I was afterwards). I loved the structure. I loved wearing the uniforms 24/7 (didn't have to decide what to wear every day! That's a huge task for a female). But when those eight weeks were over, I was wholly unprepared for the relaxed, less-structured aspects of being in the military.
Free time. There was too much of it. I didn't know what to do, and I didn't like what I saw other people doing.
Let me emphasize how innocent I was at the time because looking back, whoa, the things I would have done differently with what I know now. I will not say I was naive because that would imply that I was unintelligent. No, I was just extremely innocent...to a fault. It only took one man to take advantage of me before I realized what was going on...and after that I slammed the door on men for the rest of my army years. What heartless, selfish, conniving jerks some boys grow up to be. If I were faced with such situations now, I would NOT be a deer in headlights. Oh HELL no, I'd kick that guy so hard and wrench his balls and gouge out his eyeballs. I'd disable that asshole for life. No one would ever think of harming me again. I don't know why I didn't have it in me then, but I wish I had.
I even got an article 15 because that asshole wouldn't leave my room one night. Let me emphasize that I was a VIRGIN who got an article 15 for having a member of the opposite sex in my room, against my wishes.
I never saw an article 15 issued to the multitude of true offenders I was surrounded by.
I was surrounded by women who had sex all the time with myriads of men. Truly the virtuous women outnumbered those sort of women, but curiously we'd watch as many of the less-virtuous women would receive early promotions without a hitch. I didn't know what to think of it. All I knew, being a slut wasn't my scene.
So I had to find a scene, and quick! There were some wonderful church groups at a couple places I was stationed where I'd spend leisure time with the best people I've ever known. Those were the best times of my life, even to this day. (Hi, life-happens!)
But most places I was stationed there were no such outlets available. I'd read a lot of books. Sleep a lot. Go on hiking / running expedtions by myself. Focus on work and not let any impertinent man (or woman!) blindside me. Yes, I think two women did try to come on to me once, but it took years of retrospect to sort that situation out in my head.
I bided my time until those four years were checked off and I could get on with my life in the real world. Whatever the real world held in store I didn't know, but with the financial and educational boost the military gave me, I said my profound "thank you's" to Uncle Sam and had no reason to ever look back.
