Should females get their own seperate tents from males? Should gays and lesbians be able to request their own seperate tents?

SFC Butler -

I can think of no legitimate reason to separate males and females in a Field Tent, for the purpose of a field training exercise as an example. All Soldiers need to maintain enough professional personal pride to conduct themselves as Soldiers. With the military moving further along in equalizing gender rolls, that effort needs to spill over to the rest of military life. Barring medical and hygiene facilities, there doesn't need to be a separation.

I've been in both situations: being housed with my male counterparts and separated with only the females. I can tell you from personal experience, the separation was difficult. Being seen as a member of the team, building unit cohesion and having camaraderie all happen when the team is together, spends time together and gets to know each other. While I was downrange in '03, my entire commo team slept in the same tent, males and females alike. We never had an issue. We looked out for each other, knew each others habits, moods and situations back home. When everyone sees each other as a member of a team, you treat everyone as a member of the team.

That being said, when I was in units that separated males and females, information was rarely passed to the females, we were rarely if ever included in unit activities after hours, and I did not feel the camaraderie nor unit cohesion at all.

I am all for keeping unit integrity.

SFC Butler, it really comes down to MET-T. If at all possible, then yes, try to segregate the living accommodations by gender. If not possible, then you suck it up, be professional and drive on.