Are We Ready For Real Equality In The Military? (Video)


Captain Kristen Griest just became the nation’s first  female Army infantry officer. She stands alone for now, but more women are expected to join her, possibly for positions on the front line.


Women on the front line is something Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA) does not want to see. Although he did not vote for it, the former Marine crafted a provision requiring women to register for the Selective Services System at age 18, as all male citizens are required to do. Hunter’s amendment is part of a much larger military defense policy bill the Armed Services committee approved for the House to consider next month.

Hunter hoped to spark a discussion among committee members about how the initial decision to open up combat roles to women was not thought out. He used the possibility of a draft that includes women as an example, something he says the Pentagon did not address as part of its findings.

Hunter’s stunt didn’t work. He unintentionally found a supporter in Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA), also from California.

“I actually think if we want equality in this country, if we want women to be treated precisely like men are treated and that they should not be discriminated against, we should be willing to support a universal conscription,” Speier said.

Women were not allowed to serve in combat roles until the ban was lifted in December, 2015. More than 220,000 positions, previously only available to male soldiers, are now open to anyone who qualifies. The physical standards for the jobs will be the same for men and women.

“No woman I know wanted to go to Ranger School if they changed the standards because then it degrades what the tab means.It would lower training for everyone and reduce the quality of training for the entire Army,” said Griest. “Maintaining the standards is absolutely imperative. We’re leaders in the Army. We’re expected to do what we ask of our soldiers and then some. We are supposed to be leading from the front.”

Earlier this month, the Army approved 22 more women for infantry or armor specific training after receiving their commission. When that training is complete, they will be considered for platoon leaderships as early as 2017.

 

Featured image by Nikayla Shodeen, Army