<p>Here you go. <a href=“http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/18/magazine/18cover.html?_r=1&ref=magazine&oref=slogin[/url]”>http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/18/magazine/18cover.html?_r=1&ref=magazine&oref=slogin</a> Another article. <a href=“http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2007/03/07/women_in_military/index.html?source=rss[/url]”>http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2007/03/07/women_in_military/index.html?source=rss</a> COL Karpinski talks about the forced dehydration some women put themselves through to avoid going to the latrines at night for fear of assault.</p>
<p>I’ve read both, but I’m still processing. I highly recommend “Love my Rifle More Than You,” by Kayla Williams. <a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Love-Rifle-More-Than-You/dp/0393060985[/url]”>http://www.amazon.com/Love-Rifle-More-Than-You/dp/0393060985</a> I can’t speak of my experiences in combat, since I don’t have any, but her discussion of the day to day experience of being a woman in a highly male environment are spot on. West Point is not as blatant as the rest of the Army although it <em>is</em> like living in the world’s largest male locker room. Although sexual assaults happen on campus, I can honestly say I never felt threatened, even walking back to my room at night on a dark campus, sober or drunk. I was sexually harassed a few times, mostly painfully unfunny jokes or situations where I just was not comfortable with the conversation. I had several run ins with my own company mates over their laptop backgrounds…they’d have some swimsuit model up covered in sand and little else, which made me uncomfortable, especially since I had to be exposed to it during duties. Mentioning it to them got me nowhere, “Oh bzzzt, don’t be so sensitive! It’s just a picture.” Of course, putting up a similar photo of a guy in angel wings and an artfully draped sheet got “Holy God, I don’t wanna see that during duties! Change your background, that’s GROSS!” This, from the same guy who had a countdown going on his AIM profile for when the Olsen twins turned 18.</p>
<p>Being in Korea is different. Going to Camp Casey, where it’s mostly combat arms and the percentage of women shrinks drastically, lunch in the food court can feel like eating in a fish bowl. Walking into the medical clinic and being the immediate center of attention, being stared at the entire time is disconcerting. But being an officer keeps most people from actually approaching me directly. I’m not sure which is worse. </p>
<p>Sexual assault is a huge issue here on the peninsula. Although there is a campaign to reduce it going on, and incoming soldiers have a solid 3-4 hours of classes on the specifics of what is considered sexual assault and how you can prevent it and what the characteristics of the victims usually are (18-24, enlisted, in their first 30 days in country, alcohol is almost always present) it still happens.</p>
<p>As a leader, whenever I get my command, I intend on making sure it is known that assaults and harassment will not be tolerated in any way, shape, or form. I cannot believe the soldiers that assault other soldiers, let alone soldiers in their own company or platoon. The Soldiers Creed says “I am a warrior and a member of a team. I serve the people of the United States and live the Army Values.” I’m not sure where in the Army Values that kind of behavior fits in, nor where it fits into being a member of a team.</p>
<p>I worry enough about getting deployed and being prepared for that event when it comes. I shouldn’t have to worry about protecting myself from other American soldiers.</p>
<p>Anyway, those are just a few of the thoughts rolling around in my head. Take them or leave them.</p>