Military Women Roles
explanatory Essay
1123 words
Throughout history, women have always played a vital role in the military especially during times of war. In the United States military, women’s service, dates all the way back to the Revolutionary War. Women have acted as nurses, seamstresses, spies and cooks. They took care of the wounded, brought food and water to the troops, some even dressed as men to fight side-by-side with their husbands on the battle field. Women have fought and died for their country trough military service. Many women are currently serving on the front line as medics or with support units. They encounter the enemy and handle themselves as well as any male soldier. But there is a price to pay for the choice to fight alongside men in combat and unforeseen consequences …show more content…
In this essay, the author
- Opines that women have played a vital role in the military since the revolutionary war. many women are currently serving on the front line as medics or support units.
- Explains that during the american revolution, women were not allowed to enlist in the continental army or the local militias, but they still managed to help the cause.
- Explains that the military has been aware of the biological and physical differences between men and women for decades.
- Explains that when women enter infantry military occupation specialties, they will be expected to maintain gender-neutral standards.
- Explains that pregnancy and delivery hospitalizations make up 58% of all hospitals among the military’s active-duty females, but female troops are admitted into hospitals at a rate 30% higher than their male colleagues.
Women sometimes follow their husbands to war out of necessity. Many serve in military camps as laundresses, cooks, and nurses but only with permission from the commanding officers and only if they proved they were helpful. In some unique circumstances a few women transcend these traditional jobs. In 1778 at the Battle of Monmouth, Mary Hays McCauley, took her husband 's place at his cannon after he was injured. Deborah Sampson served as a man for over a year in General Washington’s army and was only discovered after she was injured. (Bellafaire, “America 's Military Women—The Journey Continues”).During the Civil War, women serve as administrators, nurses, and cooks in both Union and Confederate battlefield hospitals. Wealthy women like, Miss Sally Tompkins of Richmond, Virginia, help fund permanent hospitals (“Highlights in the History of Military Women” Education). Providing medical care during times of conflict was one of the only socially accepted ways in which women could contribute to the war effort during the early wars. Dr. Mary Walker is the only women to receive the Medal of Honor, due to the healthcare she provided during the Civil
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- Women in the Militaryopinion essayIn Women in the Military, Janette Mance explores the debates and problems faced by the increasing number of women involved in the military. After examining issues such as pregnancy, sexual harassment, and rape, Mance concludes that as a society we must continue to strive for gender equality.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how janette mance explores the debates and problems faced by the increasing number of women involved in the military and concludes that as a society we must continue to strive for gender equality.
- Opines that women have stood like a rock for the welfare and glory of our country's history, from the storm lashed decks of the mayflower to the present hour.
- Explains that women have played an important role in the military, but it has not been until recently that they have been recognized for their past achievements in this area.
- Opines that women in the military are a good idea, but there are many obstacles that make that reality difficult to achieve.
- Explains that general jeanne holm's book, women in the military: an unfinished revolution, gives an impressive account of the roles that women have played in military history.
- Explains that women have been serving their country since it began. molly pitcher fired her cannon in 1778 without congressional sanction. in the revolutionary and civil wars, women fought disguised as men.
- Explains how the idea that women serving in the military should be offered the same protection as men did not arise until world war ii. congresswoman edith rodgers introduced a bill to congress proposing the establishment of the women’s army auxiliary corps.
- Explains that the waac bill was the first major breakthrough for women in the armed forces, but it was deemed a failure due to the drawbacks that were included.
- Describes the women's armed service integration act as the first major step towards the allowance of women in the military.
- Explains that after the integration act was established, frenzy over the debate calmed down and people were returning to the lives that they once knew before the war began.
- Explains how feminism, the vietnam war, and the equal rights amendment changed the role of women in the military.
- Explains that 1975 was a key year for women in the military. the department of defense eliminated the practice of discharging women on the basis of pregnancy due to the idea of equal opportunity.
- Explains that in 1978, the army, navy, and air force integrated women into their ranks by abolishing the wac, waves and waf.
- Explains that women were fully integrated into the military with the defense officer personnel management act, which allowed women to be integrated onto previously all male promotion lists.
- Sums up the 1980's for military women as a period of relative stability and normalcy when all the "firsts" and pioneering will be behind them. the challenge is to chart the course to make it happen.
- Opines that acceptance and equal opportunity should be the norm.
- Explains that the issue of women in the military sparked a hot debate, turning the debate into gender war. pregnancy was one such barrier, which kept women at home for centuries.
- Analyzes how s of sound off were interested in the question of why women join the military. many people believe that women enter to fight a battle for feminism.
- Explains how margaret c. harrell and laura l. miller's book, new opportunities for military women: effects upon readiness, cohesion and morale, examines how many positions have opened up to women.
- Explains how miller and harrell selected military units that would provide a broad view of the issues and used focus groups to find out the opinions of people on the effects of recent changes.
- Analyzes how harrell and miller's data shows that the integration of women into the military is slow, but it is moving along.
- Opines that if our country wishes to achieve full equality between the sexes, all positions, including combat positions should be open to women.
- Opines that both sides of the debate raise valid points when examining the issue from the point of view of those who oppose women in the military.
- Explains that the canadian experience in which women were recruited for the 16 week infantry training course was identical to the men's course.
- Explains that most women cannot live up to the expectations of a combat position. if we change those standards, would we compromise our overall combat capabilities?
- Opines that the traditional gender roles that govern our nation have been in existence since the beginning of the common era.
- Explains that many service members are for the idea of women in combat although with a few stipulations.
- Explains that more than half the enlisted men and one-third of the male officers favored allowing women into all combat positions from which they are now excluded.
- Explains that army surveys show that women soldiers believe combat experience will help their careers, but they want women to be assigned to combat positions only if they volunteer.
- Opines that a compromise may be long in coming due to the arguments that each side has, and because women, soldiers and civilians alike are divided on the issues.
- Analyzes how patricia hanna's book, women soldiers, looks at the stresses in careers of us servicewomen. harrell and miller found that some women felt that they could not report sexual harassment.
- Explains that the tailhook scandal is the most well-known case of sexual harassment within the military. lt. paula coughlin reported being sexually assaulted at tailhook.
- Opines that the tailhook scandals are at the extreme end of the spectrum. it is unfortunate, but because not all cases are reported it is difficult to find a solution.
- Opines that the debate regarding women in the military will continue to rage on as our country struggles to overcome sexist barriers.
- Opines that centuries of patriarchy and structured gender roles are not going to be erased in a short period of time. our best bet is to strive for equality by any means possible.
- Explains burrelli, david, foreign affairs and national defense division, 92008: women in the military.
- Describes cohen, william's "on women in the military."
- Opines that coed military’s ‘drawbacks’ aren’t for the female re cruits.
- Cites hanna, patricia, and elisabetta addis, valeria e. "stressors in careers of us servicewomen."
- Describes harrell, margaret c., and laura l. miller's new opportunities for military women: effects upon readiness.
- States priest, dana, military study finds women fill few jobs tied to combat.
- Explains that schneider, dorothy, and carl j. sound off: american military women speak out.
- Explains walters, nolan, "new drill for military as more women join ranks." seattle times.
4234 wordsRead More - Women in the Militaryanalytical essayUnderstanding the diversity in the U.S. Military is easiest if the numbers are looked at according to this nation’s population. American women account for fifty-one percent of the U.S. population and yet they only make up about sixteen percent of our uniformed officers throughout each branch of the military. The numbers are even fewer when looking at the number of women who have made a general officer rank. In the Army, only four percent of the generals are female, Navy admirals are seven percent, Air Force numbers are only nine percent, and the lowest number is the Marine Corps with three percent. (Sagalyn, 2011). The graph below shows the disparity in the numbers from each branch of the military and covers both active and reserve officers.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes the disparity in the numbers from each branch of the military and covers both active and reserve officers.
- Explains that sexual assault and/or harrassment is a serious problem for women in the military. they state that women are ostracized and retaliated against if rapes are reported.
- Opines that stressful situations such as war and/or combat missions serve to prove manhood, but only if women also see it from that point of view.
- Explains the reasons for the lack of females in the higher ranks of the u.s. military.
- Cites bell, d., and travis, t. (2012). the meaning of difference: american constructions of race, sex and gender, social class, sexual orientation,
642 wordsRead More - Women's Roles in the Militaryanalytical essayWomen's Roles in the Military Before World War I, women assisted the military during wartime mainly as nurses and helpers. Some women, however, did become involved in battles. Molly Pitcher, a Revolutionary War water carrier, singlehandedly kept a cannon in action after a artillery crew had been disabled. During the Revolutionary and the Civil War, a few women disguised themselves as men and took part in hand-to-hand combat. The first enlisted women served in World War I as telephone and radio operators, translators, and clerks.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that women assisted the military during wartime mainly as nurses and helpers. during the revolutionary and the civil war, women disguised themselves as men and took part in hand-to-hand combat.
- Explains that promotions for female officers were limited, and women were banned from ground combat jobs as well as from most navy ships and air force aircraft.
- Analyzes how the military modernized and weapons grew more sophisticated, opening up more military jobs for women, including combat-related jobs.
- Explains the old line separating combat from non-combat jobs. as more women entered the military, pressure mounted for more female officers. in 1976, the first female cadets entered west point and the other service academies.
- Explains that during the gulf war, about 40,000 women served in the combat zone, leading to a reevaluation of combat restrictions on females.
- Argues that feminization of the military is a policy that says we want women in these jobs not because it's good for the military, but because of political will.
- Describes the true story behind women and serving in the armed service.
- Explains why today's female soldiers face gender discrimination, unequal opportunities and vast amounts of sexualharassment in the country and from the government they pledged to protect.
- Explains that the average ercentage of female officers sits at nine percent in the armed services. they explain that women are physically weaker than men and standards would have to be lowered.
- Explains that the audacity of the organization is that women in units lead to sexual harassment and sexual assault. instead of putting a program in place, they bar women from jobs that they feel would lead them into unethical and unsafe conditions.
- Opines that women are capable of performing assignments in combat units as do many high-ranking military officials.
- Explains that the stigma attached to women in combat affects them in a number of ways.
- Concludes that combat inclusion is the greatest impediment to women attaining higher military rank. until qualified women are given access to assignments, they will be marginalized.
- Opines that america's armed services is an equal opportunity employer that stands for the very basis of liberty and equality.
- Explains that women are excluded from a number of jobs for stereotyping, ideas of the inferiority of women in combat, and the chauvinistic thought of if their not there it wont happen.
1295 wordsRead More - Essay On Women In Combatanalytical essayWe live in a time where women can run for president and leave the house instead of staying home as a housewife. Women are competing in the Olympics and becoming cops. So the question is, “should women be allowed in combat?” Women have been in combat since the late 1700s so why not let it stay that way. Women should be allowed in combat because they are already serving in combat. Research from the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services (DACOWITS) shows that a positive impact was resulted from women who contributed to combat in Iraq (Women Should be…). However, women shouldn’t be allowed in combat not because of their gender but because they aren’t capable of keeping up with combat tasks. This is shown by the physical traits of an average woman. Women in combat have lower physical strength than the average man (Donelly). In this paper we will find out whether or not women should be allowed to be in combat and how capable they are of being in combat.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that women have been serving in the military since the late 1700s, even though they weren't supposed to. they were enrolled as nurses and cooks because the union needed people to aid hurt soldiers.
- Explains how women contributed to the civil war in 1861. clara barton was one of the most famous nurses during the war who founded the american red cross.
- Explains that the navy and army corps was created in 1908, when women were officially allowed to be in the u.s. military but still not as a combat soldier.
- Explains that world war ii starts in 1941 and more than 60,000 women are enrolled for sea duty at the stateside and overseas.
- Argues that women should be allowed to be in combat because they are already serving in the military.
745 wordsRead More - Women Veterans´ Health Policy and Homeless Women Veterans´ Policyexplanatory essayThe signing of the Women’s Armed Service Integration Act increased women’s interest in the military. Women were now able to take o...
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the united states department of veteran affairs provides health care, general benefits, services and assistance with burials and memorials to all veterans, but there are smaller divisions within the va that cater to certain interest groups.
- Explains how women became involved in the civil war, although not formally part of the service. after world war ii, the women's armed services integration act was signed by president harry truman.
- Explains that the women's armed service integration act increased women’s interest in the military. the inadequacy of the benefits stems from the male-dominated military industry.
- Explains that the programs are not tailored to adequately serve african american women veterans due to the increase in female recruits.
- Explains that homelessness is a misfortune that all races and both genders face, but in the va, the face is still white, middle aged male. women and african americans are underrepresented in research.
- Explains that the ideological groundwork of the policies and programs resonates in the eligibility criterion for eligibility for va benefits and eligibility consideration.
- Explains that this conservative value narrows the scope of care of all veterans that have served the us. however, any discharge that is not issued by general courts-martial may be appeal and possible changed.
- Explains that social welfare programs cater to the notion of an inclusive society, providing enough to mask the most conspicuous examples of poverty and suffering.
- Explains that the veteran programs rely on a budget that is determined and passed by congress. a disruption in any level of the process for the budget to be passed can hinder the programs productivity.
- Explains that the first policy enacted in 1948 gave women full status in the military, but it took another 40 years for the women's veterans health program to be created. the center for women veterans was created to further mainstream the dispersion of va benefits to women veterans.
- Explains the women veteran health program, center for women veterans, and the homeless veterans programs run by the office of public and intergovernmental affairs.
- Explains that the va has housing programs that cater to women veterans and their families who are very low income and/or homeless. all three programs give grants to other programs who serve their interest group populations.
- Explains the supportive services for veteran families program, the housing choice voucher program and the grant and per diem program.
- Explains that the women's veterans health program and the center for women veterans exclusively served women veterans who are eligible for va benefits.
- Explains that women veterans are 3 times more likely to become homeless than non-veteran women. the 2011 summit women veterans focused on how to fix the issue.
- Explains the benefits provided by the department of veteran affairs. the funding for each of the programs is written into the budget which both houses of congress must pass.
- Explains that the supportive service for veteran families and the grant and per diem program, funded by the va, provide support programs that help obtain housing for veterans.
- Explains that funding for government funded programs is predetermined within the fiscal year budget which is determined yearly. the change in funding can be changed due to the political climate or the heightened interest in other social issues.
- Cites blau, abramovitz, rosenheck, & desai. ideological perspectives and conflicts. the dynamics of social welfare policy.
- Explains that trauma experience among homeless female veterans: correlates and impact on housing, clinical, and psychosocial outcomes.
- Cites vogt, bergeron, salgado, daley, ouimette, and wolfe, who analyzed barriers to veterans health administration care in a nationally representative sample of women veterans.
- Explains gamache, rosenheck, and tessler's research on overrepresentation of women veterans among homeless women.
- Explains that section 8 housing choice vouchers: revised implementation of the hud-va supportive housing program.
- Cites the united states department of veterans affairs (2013), women veteran health care, and the 2011 national training summit on women veterans.
2104 wordsRead More - Informative Essay: Women Joining The Armyanalytical essayWomen Joining the Army ATTENTION! Why shouldn’t women be allowed to join the army? Does gender matter? Ask yourself these questions when you think about it. Why does it matter?
In this essay, the author
- Argues that women shouldn't be allowed to join the army, since they only make up 15 percent of active-duty military personnel, and no women have served in actual combat roles.
- Opines that joining the army is a tough task reserved for the best in physical shape, mentally capable and strong willed. there are lots of women that have made an impact in the war such as margaret corbin named "molly pitcher."
- Opines that if women can graduate from such a prestigious and tough school, why can’t they serve in combat?
- Argues that america is supposed to be a free and equal country. if we don't allow our citizens to defend their country to their best ability, how can we call ourselves equal or free?
495 wordsRead More - Women in Combatanalytical essayAlthough it has a predominantly male identity, the military has many female characteristics. Being a member of the military requires “collective action, organization, submissiveness, obedience, fidelity, and cooperation” which are all considered to be feminine qualities (Matthews 2009). Women have indirectly been involved in combat for many years as nurses and other medical personnel which are all exposed to combat during war. The Army’s policy definition of direct combat includes “engaging an enemy,” “being exposed to direct enemy fire,” and “closing with the enemy” (Harrell). Women should not be excluded from any aspect, or only restricted to certain aspects of the military when they sign up to join. Women should be allowed to be assigned to military combat roles in active duty.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that although the military has a predominantly male identity, it has many female characteristics, such as collective action, organization, submissiveness, obedience, fidelity, and cooperation.
- Argues that women should be allowed to be assigned to military combat roles in active duty.
- Argues that women should be allowed to be assigned to military combat roles in active duty because they make better decisions under stressful situations.
- Opines that women should be allowed to be assigned to military combat roles in active duty.
- Argues that not allowing women to participate in active combat duty is discrimination. it is treating them unfairly because of their sex. women can be an asset to active duty combat because they can make better decisions under stressful situations.
- Explains the combat exclusion and role of women in the military.
- Summarizes mather, lighthall, nga, and gorlick's study on the effects of stress on brain activity during face viewing.
- Explains the role of group affiliation and gender on attitudes towards women in the military.
942 wordsRead More - Women in Combatopinion essay“Out here, there is no male gender and no female gender,” says Staff Sgt. Vincent Vetterkind, a squad leader of a mixed-gender combat unit. “Our gender is soldier” (Nordland). Until recently, combat had been widely considered a “male only” activity. Despite this notion that men are better suited to combat than women, women have always played a significant role in war. With advancements in technology, and the need for more combat soldiers because of the global war against terrorism, women, more than ever, are needed in the military.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that women have played a significant role in war, despite the notion that men are better suited to combat than women.
- Explains that women's roles in combat have been limited with a few noted exceptions. during the civil war, most military women were nurses.
- Explains that in world war ii women held multiple combat jobs just as their male counterparts did. they served in infantry units, but were regarded as noncombatants. soviet women believed that women had greater physical endurance than men.
- Explains that women served in the vietnam war, with about 90 percent of them working as nurses. many women were killed in bombing and land mines.
- Explains that women fought alongside their male counterparts in most jobs. after the persian gulf war, congress was considering repealing the ban of women in combat.
- Explains that the conspiracy that women wouldn't be useful in the military is based on the traditional gender roles that have not been changed.
- Explains that women are mentally stable, if not more, in pressured situations than men. boot camp is purposely designed to break you down mentally and physically so they can build you up stronger.
- Analyzes how the debate has changed society's outlook on women, especially men and other sergeants. women are extremely talented and can hold their own in any branch of the military.
- Opines that women should be given the same opportunities as men, including active combat roles, in today's world.
1190 wordsRead More - Women in the Militaryopinion essayDo you think the military is fair to everybody? The military is an organization that is set- up to save the world; the director of defense has lifted the ban on women right in the military, so everyone will have an equal chance. This paper will state why the military lift the ban and was it a right choice.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the director of defense has lifted the ban on women right in the military, so everyone will have an equal chance.
- Explains that the military isn't for everyone, since it requires certain qualifications, such as age, citizenship, academic, physical, and legal qualifications.
- Agrees with president barack obama's statement that women should be paid equal. in the military, women were getting paid less because they were limited to certain jobs.
- Explains that the director of defense figured that since women already serve in combat roles and fly warplanes they should be able to be on the frontline.
- Explains that now that the ban has been lifted in the military, everybody has equal rights and can do anything that they are qualified for, regardless of gender.
- Explains that the general of the army said he did not want women on the frontline because they may be an distraction to their assigned squad. the director of defense said that everybody should have equal rights and deserve a chance.
- Opines that lifting the ban was a right call for the director of defense to make. it made more people, mainly women, appreciate their job more.
- Concludes that now that the ban is lifted, there may be more women to join the military over the years, simply because they know they have the same opportunity as the men soldiers.
- Cites foxnews.com/politics/2013/01/24/panetta-opens combat-roles-to-women/ and the new york times.
740 wordsRead More - Women and the Draftopinion essayMen have always been looked upon as the leading sex. Looking back through history women have been the ones who take care of the home and children, while men are the ones who work and go to war. However in recent years there’s no doubt that women have become much more equal in the work force. Nevertheless men are still the ones who are forced to fight our wars when the time calls for it. Many think that women should be entirely equal to men having their choice to be drafted taken away but the fact is that they are physically at a disadvantage, too emotionally oriented, and the increase of female presence would have a more negative impact in the military in the way of social interactions.
In this essay, the author
- Argues that women have become more equal in the work force, whereas men are still forced to fight our wars when the time calls for it.
- Explains that men are physically stronger and can tolerate more than women naturally. women are built to have children and have remarkable endurance, but men gain strength more easily.
- Opines that emotion prevents women from being in the draft. women's brains perceive things in a more maternal way for they consider circumstances differently.
- Opines that social interaction with women and men can cause a shortcoming in the military.
- Opines that women are not equal even if they have the title. men are observably stronger and have a different mentality in situations than women.
813 wordsRead More