Spring Break
Women's role in military action re-evalutated
Number of females serving in armed services is still fraction
Regi Seitz
Issue date: 1/23/08 Section: News
As the investigation of Cpl. Cesar Armando, a Marine sought in the murder of another pregnant soldier, Lance Cpl. Maria Lauterbach catches international media attention, questions about females in the armed forces are surfacing.
"I believe that this was a domestically tragic event and has nothing to do with the military as an organization, nor does it speak for any individuals within the military as a whole," said 1st Sgt. Robin Hofer in the Army ROTC, a physiology major and an Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran.
In order to create trust and courage between soldiers, there has to be zero tolerance for discrimination.
"You don't get things because you are a girl and you don't get something because you are a guy," said Nicole Jones, a chemistry major in the Air Force ROTC.
According to Lt. Col. Michael Daniels, a professor of military science for the Army ROTC, the war in Iraq is unlike past, more traditional wars because of a 360 degree threat.
This means that danger can come from any direction, anywhere, at any time. Because of this new threat, everyone has to be trained completely equal.
"We train men and women to the same standards," said Lieutenant Colonel Dave Jeffery, a professor with Air Force ROTC.
Women have 45 to 50 percent less upper body strength and 25 percent less aerobic capacity than men, according to the National Academies Press, a publisher based out of Washington, D.C.
Although there is no dispute about the physical capabilities of females and males, there is also no disputing the determination of a willing person, male or female.
"I know that I can perform to the best of my ability in any case. I also know that I would never be in a situation that I could not handle without a fellow soldier by my side," Hofer said after spending almost three years on active duty.
Qualifications for a job within the military are based on a desire much deeper than gender.
"Are you willing to accept the challenge?" Jeffery said about job placement within the military.
"I believe that this was a domestically tragic event and has nothing to do with the military as an organization, nor does it speak for any individuals within the military as a whole," said 1st Sgt. Robin Hofer in the Army ROTC, a physiology major and an Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran.
In order to create trust and courage between soldiers, there has to be zero tolerance for discrimination.
"You don't get things because you are a girl and you don't get something because you are a guy," said Nicole Jones, a chemistry major in the Air Force ROTC.
According to Lt. Col. Michael Daniels, a professor of military science for the Army ROTC, the war in Iraq is unlike past, more traditional wars because of a 360 degree threat.
This means that danger can come from any direction, anywhere, at any time. Because of this new threat, everyone has to be trained completely equal.
"We train men and women to the same standards," said Lieutenant Colonel Dave Jeffery, a professor with Air Force ROTC.
Women have 45 to 50 percent less upper body strength and 25 percent less aerobic capacity than men, according to the National Academies Press, a publisher based out of Washington, D.C.
Although there is no dispute about the physical capabilities of females and males, there is also no disputing the determination of a willing person, male or female.
"I know that I can perform to the best of my ability in any case. I also know that I would never be in a situation that I could not handle without a fellow soldier by my side," Hofer said after spending almost three years on active duty.
Qualifications for a job within the military are based on a desire much deeper than gender.
"Are you willing to accept the challenge?" Jeffery said about job placement within the military.
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