Let me start out by saying that I’m the father of two daughters. I would be thrilled if either of my daughters planned to follow in my footsteps, but I’m equally thrilled to have one studying Marketing at Shippensburg University, and one planning on attending The Clarkson School to study Biomolecular Science. Neither has shown an inclination to explore ROTC.
I am a big fan/supporter/believer that women belong in the military/Army and that there should be very few limitations on what they are expected to do. The current policy is that women will not serve in units who’s primary mission is direct combat. In the Army that is the Infantry and the Armor branches. Beyond that women fly combat helicopters, women serve in the field artillery and air defense artillery, and women may be found almost anywhere on the battlefield. In my career I served under some outstanding leaders/bosses who just happened to be women. I led women soldiers as a company commander, and I trained hundreds of female soldiers back in my basic training XO days.
In the Golden Knight Battalion at Clarkson I have been here for over 6 years. This is the first year that the Cadet Battalion Commander hasn’t been female. Those cadets include the #7 cadet in the nation in 2008, and all of them were deserving of the position. They have gone on to join the active force, and the reserves in branches like the medical services corps, the Adjutant General Corps, and the Aviation Branch. One of the female cadets in this years graduating class has chosen Air Defense Artillery as her branch. In my opinion there is no place on the battlefield that a female Soldier/Officer isn’t currently likely to go, and no place on the battlefield where she shouldn’t be allowed to go.
What do you think?
Golden Knight Battalion Blog 