American Veteran Spring_2013 : Page 4
letters cont Females in Combat ȱ ȱĴȱȱȱȱȱȱ¢ȱ¡ȱ ǰȱȃȱ�b;ȱǰȄȱȱȱȱŘŖŗŘȱǯ Your article on female veterans being sexually assaulted while in service to our country really shocked me. I raised two daughters, neither of f whom wore a uniform, but the thought of f them being subjected to the traumas that were described in your article was extremely disturbing, to say the least. I am a Vietnam veteran, having served with the 3rd Marine Division in 1967-68, as both a ri Ě e platoon and tank platoon commander. I spent 11 of my 13 months in country operating out in the ę eld with various tank/infantry units and participated in several of the major ba Ĵ les fought by the U.S. Marines near the Demilitarized Zone. I don’t see the wisdom in Secretary Pane Ĵ a and President Obama opening up ground combat roles to females, knowing what I know from ę rst-hand experience. I have to assume that, because our President never wore a uniform, he really believes that “fairness and equality” means pu Ĵ ing our young men and women together in the crucible of f combat. I feel sorry for both the young men and women placed together in that situation. The men will have to be continually on guard to avoid a sexual harassment charge. There’s no privacy for anyone changing clothes or answering calls to nature. The women will be tested unmercifully with swift retribution for any failings or even being perceived by the group as not “carrying their weight.” When teenage warriors know that the grim reaper is always lying in wait, maybe just around the next bend in the trail, they have their own code of f conduct, which is to eliminate one way or the other anyone who might compromise their desire to stay alive. I can’t imagine having females along with us in that situation. Eighteen and 19 year old males think of f sex around the clock. Being in a combat zone won’t diminish that. Sexual tension will arise, and both women and men will be hurt in the process. Indecency is the norm in a combat environment; decency takes a back seat to the basest of f human instincts. I see our future military heading over a cli ě and feel sadly helpless to do anything about it. �c;ȱǯȱ �f;ȱȱȱȱ Are you one of the country’s 25 million Veterans? Humana Government Business wants to work with you! Are you or your spouse looking for a great start to your civilian life or the next chapter in your career? Bring your knowledge and skills to Humana Government Business to continue your professional journey. We have extensive experience working with Veterans, and we recognize all that you have to offer our organization. To learn more, go to Humana-Military.com and click Careers at the bottom of f the page. We can’t wait to hear from you! Government Business A Drug Free, Equal Employment Opportunity Workplace
Letters To The Editor
Females in Combat <br /> <br /> The below letter refers to the feature on military sexual trauma, "TheInvisible War," in theFall 2012 edition.<br /> <br /> Your article on female veterans being sexually assaulted while in service to our country really shocked me. I raised two daughters, neither of whom wore a uniform, but the thought of them being subjected to the traumas that were described in your article was extremely disturbing, to say the least.<br /> <br /> I am a Vietnam veteran, having served with the 3rd Marine Division in 1967-68, as both a rifle platoon and tank platoon commander. I spent 11 of my 13 months in country operating out in the field with various tank/infantry units and participated in several of the major battles fought by the U.S. Marines near the Demilitarized Zone.<br /> <br /> I don't see the wisdom in Secretary Panetta and President Obama opening up ground combat roles to females, knowing what I know from first-hand experience. I have to assume that, because our President never wore a uniform, he really believes that "fairness and equality" means putting our young men and women together in the crucible of combat.<br /> <br /> I feel sorry for both the young men and women placed together in that situation. The men will have to be continually on guard to avoid a sexual harassment charge. There's no privacy for anyone changing clothes or answering calls to nature. The women will be tested unmercifully with swift retribution for any failings or even being perceived by the group as not "carrying their weight." When teenage warriors know that the grim reaper is always lying in wait, maybe just around the next bend in the trail, they have their own code of conduct, which is to eliminate one way or the other anyone who might compromise their desire to stay alive.<br /> <br /> I can't imagine having females along with us in that situation. Eighteen and 19 year old males think of sex around the clock. Being in a combat zone won't diminish that. Sexual tension will arise, and both women and men will be hurt in the process. Indecency is the norm in a combat environment; decency takes a back seat to the basest of human instincts. I see our future military heading over a cliff and feel sadly helpless to do anything about it.<br /> <br /> James P. Coan USMC Vietnam Tankers Association Treasurer
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