Actually per the white papers I've read about diversity in the Flag Officer ranks (primarly focused on Black, Hispanic, Asian), combat arms branches experience, now called "Maneuver, Fires, and Effects " branches, is almost a prerequisite for fast tracking.
So, "formally" assigning females to MFE Battalions, to which they are now only informally attached, is a significant development. Future promotion panels naturally lean toward MFE experience as vital and necessary, and the lack of "formal" experience in MFE branches materially impairs advancement.
Blah blah blah. Boilerplate argument that means nothing. Crying like babies that we can die for our country but can't have a beer never has nor ever will change anything. That argument is no different than saying that you can be trusted to choose a President at 18 but not have a beer.
We can die for our country at 18 but not drink until 21 because that's the law. Life's tough that way.
When you're actually in charge of folks, you won't want your 18-year-old subordinates drinking. Hell, you won't want most of your 21-year-old subordinates drinking.
We can't whine about deserving to drink younger when we can't stop field and flag grade officers from getting DUIs.
Compared to other cultures, America does have more problems with alcohol. Largely because many people are irresponsible and can't conduct themselves appropriately.
I'm glad I'm in the Coast Guard then, because we don't have flag and field officers getting DUIs. There's something to be said about the character of the Army's Officer Corps if they can't be responsible for themselves and can't control their alcohol consumption. If they can't be responsible with drink, how can they ever be responsible for the lives of men and expensive equipment? Just the view of a whiny baby.
Compared to other cultures, America does have more problems with alcohol. Largely because many people are irresponsible and can't conduct themselves appropriately.
I'm glad I'm in the Coast Guard then, because we don't have flag and field officers getting DUIs. There's something to be said about the character of the Army's Officer Corps if they can't be responsible for themselves and can't control their alcohol consumption. If they can't be responsible with drink, how can they ever be responsible for the lives of men and expensive equipment? Just the view of a whiny baby.
Just to carify, Your not in the Coast Guard yet, your a cadet, a second year cadet at that.
As prior service Coast Guardsmen I find the comments you made offensive at best, they were an embarassment to you and the entire Coast Guard. Don't be to quick to assume the Coast Guard does not have it's own problems with alcohol, Wait until you are stationed somewhere like Kodiak Alaska, there isn't a memo sent out to all 2nd year cadets to keep them informed of who receives a DUI.
The next time you respond to a superior officer's post you may want to add in a couple "yes sir's". Scoutpilot has more experience with the miltary in the fingernails he probably clipped off this morning then you have gained in the short 1 1/2 years in the USCGA. Don't get all high and mighty about respect being a 2 way street, you are still a ways from earning yours.
I am one of the Coast Guards biggest cheerleaders, and while there is always good natured ribbing that goes on between all the branches, I would never make a comment like that.
Think before you post, Think before you speak, it a trait that will serve you well as you move through the Academy and on to Active Duty. You need to do better, the Coast Guard deserves better.
I want to offer my sincere apologies to the Army on behalf of a very misguided Cadet. At least he got the "Whiny Baby" part correct.
Semper Paratus
Just to carify, Your not in the Coast Guard yet, your a cadet, a second year cadet at that.
As prior service Coast Guardsmen I find the comments you made offensive at best, they were an embarassment to you and the entire Coast Guard. Don't be to quick to assume the Coast Guard does not have it's own problems with alcohol, Wait until you are stationed somewhere like Kodiak Alaska, there isn't a memo sent out to all 2nd year cadets to keep them informed of who receives a DUI.
The next time you respond to a superior officer's post you may want to add in a couple "yes sir's". Scoutpilot has more experience with the miltary in the fingernails he probably clipped off this morning then you have gained in the short 1 1/2 years in the USCGA. Don't get all high and mighty about respect being a 2 way street, you are still a ways from earning yours.
I am one of the Coast Guards biggest cheerleaders, and while there is always good natured ribbing that goes on between all the branches, I would never make a comment like that.
Think before you post, Think before you speak, it a trait that will serve you well as you move through the Academy and on to Active Duty. You need to do better, the Coast Guard deserves better.
I want to offer my sincere apologies to the Army on behalf of a very misguided Cadet. At least he got the "Whiny Baby" part correct.
Semper Paratus
Really Jcleppe, might want to tone it down a little bit. I almost laughed at the "next time you reply to a senior officer line" considering none of the officers on this board actually comply with their service's social media guidance or policies.
Yes, the Coast Guard has it's issues with alcohol. And yes, I've seen O-6s get hit for alcohol related issues (or worse, drugs), and yes, I remember the CO of a cutter in Key West go on a rampage, lost command, and was "allowed" to retire.
I'll reserve my opinions of fellow officers from other branches, beyond saying there are good ones and bad ones.
Finally, I'd love to know Jcleppe's commissioning source as he lectures cadets on what it's let to be a cadet.... while maintaining Coast Guard cadets aren't in the Coast Guard (which is likely news to Adm. Papp, Rear Adm. Stosz and a whole host of other flag officers, senior officers, junior officers, chief warrant officers, cadets and enlisted personnel. I may need to call OPM Monday and inform them COAST GUARD cadets are no longer members of the Coast Guard. Something tells me there will be a scramble to change some Regs.
In the end, common issues like suicide alcohol abuse, frat. and sometimes drugs affect every service. Some more than others, yes.
Really Jcleppe, might want to tone it down a little bit. I almost laughed at the "next time you reply to a senior officer line" considering none of the officers on this board actually comply with their service's social media guidance or policies.
Yes, the Coast Guard has it's issues with alcohol. And yes, I've seen O-6s get hit for alcohol related issues (or worse, drugs), and yes, I remember the CO of a cutter in Key West go on a rampage, lost command, and was "allowed" to retire.
I'll reserve my opinions of fellow officers from other branches, beyond saying there are good ones and bad ones.
Finally, I'd love to know Jcleppe's commissioning source as he lectures cadets on what it's let to be a cadet.... while maintaining Coast Guard cadets aren't in the Coast Guard (which is likely news to Adm. Papp, Rear Adm. Stosz and a whole host of other flag officers, senior officers, junior officers, chief warrant officers, cadets and enlisted personnel. I may need to call OPM Monday and inform them COAST GUARD cadets are no longer members of the Coast Guard. Something tells me there will be a scramble to change some Regs.
In the end, common issues like suicide alcohol abuse, frat. and sometimes drugs affect every service. Some more than others, yes.
OK, I give up. The kid was right and I snapped at him for no reason.
I'm sure the Regs will be just fine, My only point was that he has not received his commission yet.
I apologize, being a Mustang and not an Academy grad I'll reserve my opinions. Yes, I'm that old.
I should remember, things have changed.
I hope this lays the subject to rest.
Being a mustang certainly doesn't mean you're old! Geez, they've got PO1's making CWO. You just feel old because it's cold out!
Yeah, the joints are aching, that counfounded rain.
In the day you went from E-5 to 0-1, they sure don't do that anymore, we're a lost breed.
aside from the physical differences between men and women, which in some cases can be overcome, i wonder how the military is going to solve the other issues that come with women in combat.....
when thinking about it, 3 issues come to mind:
1) men have a natural tendency to protect women. in a combat situation, will this prove to be a distraction from accomplishing the mission?
2) men are uniquely psychologically burdened when they see women shot/blown up by the enemy. Israel tried to incorporate women on the front lines, but after seeing how their gruesome deaths negatively affected the mens' psyche, the IDF got rid of that policy.
3) the enemy has a unique opportunity if they capture a woman as a POW. how will men be affected if they are exposed to videos of women being systematically raped by enemy troops?
again, these are unique psychological issues that come with allowing women to serve in combat, and must be dealt with.
any thoughts?
I will bite.1) men have a natural tendency to protect women. in a combat situation, will this prove to be a distraction from accomplishing the mission?
2) men are uniquely psychologically burdened when they see women shot/blown up by the enemy. Israel tried to incorporate women on the front lines, but after seeing how their gruesome deaths negatively affected the mens' psyche, the IDF got rid of that policy.
3) the enemy has a unique opportunity if they capture a woman as a POW. how will men be affected if they are exposed to videos of women being systematically raped by enemy troops?
3. If "We" were so concerned about our female soldiers being raped then "We" would actually do something about the sexual abuse epidemic in our own military. Females in the Army are far more likely to be sexually assaulted by their own fellow soldiers than the enemy.
Wouldn't that be nice?
I'll do Bruno's job for him and suggest we let this thread go. It's already headed toward the inevitable conclusion that we've seen every time.
1. Poster A argues for women in combat roles
2. Poster B argues that the physical standards should be the same
3. Posters C-Z create fracas over PT standards, gender bias, gender norming, and anecdotes fly in support of both sides.
Nice article. Now let's not have another 13-page feminist/anti-feminist debacle...it's coming, and we all know it.