How is it training in an infantry unit with women?

SFC Jaysin Smith — Tue, 31 Aug 2021 20:45:02 -0400

I remember my time at "Bennings school for boys." (1998-1999) and our training from 39th A.G. to B.C.T. and AIT was all male. The only time we saw women was if we went to the hospital or in medical. Airborne school was also all male. How had the integration gone? I've always served in all male units, and trained with all men. Has the dynamic changed at all and how do the women do? Not sexist, just a question. I've met quite a few women who would have made great grunts.

Response by SFC Jaysin Smith made Aug 31 at 2021 8:45 PM

SFC Jaysin Smith — Tue, 31 Aug 2021 20:45:58 -0400

Correction 30tg A.G.

Response by Cpl John Parr made Aug 31 at 2021 10:21 PM

Cpl John Parr — Tue, 31 Aug 2021 22:21:26 -0400

I don't think there's a groundswell of girls who want to be infantry. Overall, it looks like a bunch of adjustments to logistics and standards that didn't need to be made.

Response by CPL Douglas Chrysler made Aug 31 at 2021 10:37 PM

CPL Douglas Chrysler — Tue, 31 Aug 2021 22:37:52 -0400

I have one picture of a WAC who I'm sure is the personal hero to a lot of Infantry.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 31 at 2021 11:44 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 31 Aug 2021 23:44:17 -0400

During my time on Sand Hill the only females I saw was our Supply SGT and her clerk. At Airborne, there was at least 35% female I would say closer to 45%. I haven't served with female 11 series, but had females attached to me (medics) on my first deployment, and they put in work. Even got their CMBs

Response by SFC Jaysin Smith made Sep 1 at 2021 12:28 AM

SFC Jaysin Smith — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 00:28:32 -0400

Gotta love old sand hill and the Malone ranges! I understand the cattle cars and shark attacks are a thing of the past. These new recruits really are missing out on good times! Seems like the culture we knew in the 90s and 2000s has changed. Can't imagine what the guys from the 60s, 70s and 80s must think. Well whatever they're doing must work because we keep pumping out world class warrior's!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 1 at 2021 2:06 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 02:06:04 -0400

Airborne school was not all male. I went to Airborne school in 1998 and there were females in my class and a female instructor.

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Sep 1 at 2021 11:09 AM

SGM Steve Wettstein — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 11:09:21 -0400

SFC Jaysin Smith As an MP PSG, the training for our Direct Support MP Platoons changed when females were allowed to be in them. We moved almost every female we got assigned to a drivers position. At the time, late 90s, our main weapon system was the MK-19 GMG. Females just do not have the upper body strength to double charge that weapon. Having them fam fire was a real pain in the ass. We would have to run them through the order at the end so the inevitable hold ups wouldn't screw our time lines up too bad.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2021 8:44 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 03 Sep 2021 08:44:57 -0400

SFC Jaysin Smith,
Our unit just received our first females into the Infantry Companies. From what I see, there is little change. The fact is what makes a great Soldier is effort and the want to learn. Our new sisters in arms work just as hard, if not harder, than the male Soldiers we have.