I just read Amy Goodman’s excellent article, “Addressing the epidemic of military sexual assault,” in our local paper. Amy is a national syndicated columnist (www.democracynow.org). In her article she blasted the military for their handling of sexual assaults in the military. I was somewhat embarassed for the military since I had
a 22 year career in the Army. I was in the infantry and spent most of my career in male only units. It was not until I served at the Pentagon that I actually worked with a female officer. I must admit that when women are present, men behave differently and mostly for the better.
I did some volunteer work at a youth correctional facility in Illinois for a number of years. At this facility, the youths were predominately women. I think the young men
that were there, were there because they would be victimized at an all male institution. The facility was considering becoming an all female institution. I asked the chaplain what he thought about that, and he made some very good points. He was against an all female institution. He said that when males are present, the young women take better care of themselves: comb their hair, bathe more frequently, and wear make up. When there are no young men around, they tend to let themselves go.
I think the same can be said of men. If I am going to a meeting with all males, I don’t really care what I look like or how I smell. They won’t say anything and really don’t care. However, if I know there will be women present, I will brush my teeth, comb my hair, put on a little deodorant, and maybe even shave.
When I was in the military in these all male units, the language and behavior was crude at best. However, I never used profanity and crude behavior at home around my wife and children. In fact, once I left the service, I gave up profanity altogether. Women have not been in the work force outside the home much until World War II-in my life time. It is a major culture change and will take time for our culture to adjust. For the military, the adjustment is the hardest and will take the longest. I am confident that things will change for the better over time.
Tweetables:
As a society, I believe we are at our best when women and men work together. http://clicktotweet.com/Cucf38
There is always a little posturing when the opposite sex is around, but once you get beyond that, we are better people in mixed company. http://clicktotweet.com/O6f1b
I think that, opening more jobs in the military to women will improve the military. http://clicktotrweet.com/1OBea
a 22 year career in the Army. I was in the infantry and spent most of my career in male only units. It was not until I served at the Pentagon that I actually worked with a female officer. I must admit that when women are present, men behave differently and mostly for the better.
I did some volunteer work at a youth correctional facility in Illinois for a number of years. At this facility, the youths were predominately women. I think the young men
that were there, were there because they would be victimized at an all male institution. The facility was considering becoming an all female institution. I asked the chaplain what he thought about that, and he made some very good points. He was against an all female institution. He said that when males are present, the young women take better care of themselves: comb their hair, bathe more frequently, and wear make up. When there are no young men around, they tend to let themselves go.
I think the same can be said of men. If I am going to a meeting with all males, I don’t really care what I look like or how I smell. They won’t say anything and really don’t care. However, if I know there will be women present, I will brush my teeth, comb my hair, put on a little deodorant, and maybe even shave.
When I was in the military in these all male units, the language and behavior was crude at best. However, I never used profanity and crude behavior at home around my wife and children. In fact, once I left the service, I gave up profanity altogether. Women have not been in the work force outside the home much until World War II-in my life time. It is a major culture change and will take time for our culture to adjust. For the military, the adjustment is the hardest and will take the longest. I am confident that things will change for the better over time.
Tweetables:
As a society, I believe we are at our best when women and men work together. http://clicktotweet.com/Cucf38
There is always a little posturing when the opposite sex is around, but once you get beyond that, we are better people in mixed company. http://clicktotweet.com/O6f1b
I think that, opening more jobs in the military to women will improve the military. http://clicktotrweet.com/1OBea
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