Equal Opportunity with Equal Requirements

2016 has been a year of positive change in many ways. In typical American fashion we have led the way on many social justice issues ensuring our citizens are treated fairly and equally. Over the past two years, with a mandate given from the Obama Administration, the U.S. military has been integrating women into previously male only military occupational specialties. Based on my real world experiences as an active duty Marine of 5 years, and from what I’ve learned from reading on women in combat, I have come to the conclusion that the waters are still untested on how to best incorporate mixed gendered teams, but women who meet the same standards as their male counterparts deserve the chance to do so.

Women service members have served heroically alongside special operations elements in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and have proven their capabilities both physically and mentally throughout. This includes making the ultimate sacrifice by giving their lives in combatant engagements. Its because of this that I feel strongly that as long as a woman is up to the task, she should have the same opportunities in the military to pursue a career path she so chooses. Former Joints Chiefs of Staff, General Martin Dempsey, recalls hopping into a humvee in Baghdad asking the turret gunner, “Who are you?” And she leaned down and said, “I’m Amanda.” And I said, ‘Ah, OK.’ So, female turret gunner protecting division commander.” This was back in 2003 and proves the impact and work shouldered by our female service members throughout U.S. military engagements historically. I myself have trained a few female Marines in tactical room entry, a job usually only trained for male infantry Marines, and these women were either up to the course objectives, or failed just the same that some male Marines did. So, when discussing and reviewing what our nation should do concerning opening all military occupational specialties to women, their is strong evidence that women have already proven up to the task.

My own personal experience in the Marine Corps made me pretty hesitant when imagining females serving in all combat MOS’s. One aspect about the Marine Corps that greatly differs from the other armed services is that our bootcamp is segregated. Women also only make up 6% of our operating force, while the other services average 13–18%. Its because of these facts that I didn’t serve alongside any women until I got to my first U.S. Embassy assignment in Rabat, Morocco. After this assignment I went to the U.S. Embassy in Baghadad, Iraq and my Detachment Commander was a female Gunnery Sergeant who was in charge of the entire 22 all male security team. Both these women were competent leaders, but physically I would be lying if I said they were up to par with the average male Marine. It was reasons like these that had me believe certain jobs that required more physical prowess should remain male only, or at least standards for female Marines must be raised to match those of their male counterparts. From Baghdad I went on to another embassy overseas, and after that assignment to a year old unit in the Marine Corps in Quantico, Virginia where our mission was pre and post crisis situations at diplomatic missions overseas. It was here that I met a female Sergeant, who was not only a great leader like the other females I had served alongside, but had all the physical capabilities that the very best Marines have. I completed numerous leadership courses alongside her as well as a high threat course for the Department of State. This Sergeant did not have a desire to pursue a career field in jobs that weren’t open to women, however, she was the first proof to me that some female Marines are up to the task, meaning surely some also have the desire to do so.

During my research on this topic, the most interesting study I came across about women serving in combat MOS’s was one conducted by the Marine Corps in August of 2015. This study consisted of both all male teams and mixed gendered teams to see if the addition of women would have any affect on given assignments. The teams were tested on accuracy with multiple weapons platforms, movement under load exercises, agility in scaling obstacles, and various other infantry based tactics. The Marine Corps Times reported, “All-male ground combat teams outperformed their mixed-gender counterparts in nearly every capacity”. Because of these findings General Robert B. Neller, the Commandant of the Marine Corps, asked for specific exemption from President Obamas 2015 mandate requiring all jobs be open to women by spring of 2016. Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter blocked this request noting, “we are a joint force and I have decided to make a decision which applies to the entire force.” After the exemption request being denied, the Marine Corps then pushed forward with new “gender-neutral” standards for all Marines wishing to serve in combat MOS’s. When commenting on these standards, Lieutenant Colonel Eric Dent, a Marine Corps spokesman, stated “Gender is irrelevant; performance is key.” Being a Marine and reviewing these standards, I’m not sure how “key” performance truly is. These “gender-neutral” standards include a minimum of 6 pull-ups, 3 mile run time of 24:51, 60 ammo can lifts, movement to contact in 3:26, and maneuver under fire in 3:12. These standards are so close to what is the bare minimum for male Marines to score annually, that it hardly seems that the Marine Corps is making things more difficult and sharpening the spear as they are claiming. Thomas Gibbons of the Washington Post reports on these standards that “they are weeding out men and women alike”. From the data given by the Washington Post, out of 1500 male recruits only 40 were unable to meet these bare requirements, whereas 7 out of 8 women failed to pass. This data clearly points to the fact that instead of “weeding out” the worst of those wishing to pursue combat arms positions, we may be making it easier. Instead of having a minimum requirement, all male and female Marines should be held to the same standard, and the most elite can go on to choose which career path that suits them best. Having a minimal requirement like the one being tested will not set a Marine up for success upon arriving to their first unit, and the bar needs to be set much higher to ensure our fighting force remain ready.

Both from personal experience, and research conducted on this topic I have come to the conclusion that integration of women in all military occupational specialties is not being conducted correctly. From my research I have decided that yes, all women deserve an equal chance at serving in these positions, but standards must remain the same for both genders. Woman have not only proven themselves time and again through leadership, but physical capability. It is because of these facts that our top officials must take an unbiased view as they have, and now it is time for our military leaders to use their extensive tactical knowledge and apply them in a way that our best and brightest are being utilized correctly. Our country is still in a time of war, and although I feel this issue could be best sorted in garrison, I have no doubt that our men and women can adapt to whatever changes are made and continue to fight for our nation honorably.