Female Soldiers Face Rampant Sexism and Harassment in Army Special Operations
Female soldiers in Army special operations units are plagued by sexism, harassment, and other gender-related challenges, according to a report released on Monday. The report, published by the U.S. Army Special Operations Command, highlights the pervasive issue of overtly sexist comments from male soldiers, who express a general aversion to females serving in commando units.
The comments cited in the report are not isolated incidents but rather reflect a common sentiment that women do not belong in special operations. One male commenter even went so far as to say, The idea that women are equally as physically, mentally, and emotionally capable to perform the majority of jobs is quite frankly ridiculous. Other soldiers stated that they would quit before serving on a team with a female and voiced concerns about the potential problems and jealousy it would create among their wives.
Unfortunately, these blunt and crass comments are not unfamiliar to those who have observed the challenging journey of women entering frontline combat jobs in the military. They paint a disturbing picture and present significant obstacles for leaders to address.
The extensive report surveyed over 5,000 people assigned to Army special operations forces units, including 837 female troops, 3,238 male troops, and the remaining defense civilians. It revealed that the majority of negative attitudes toward women serving in special operations came from senior noncommissioned officers, indicating that such biases may be generational.
These negative sentiments echo the sharp opposition voiced by special operations troops across services when surveyed in 2015 about whether women should serve in these dangerous commando roles. However, later that year, then-Defense Secretary Ash Carter made a landmark decision to open all combat jobs to women after three years of study and debate, acknowledging the significant contributions and sacrifices made by women on battlefields in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Although progress has been made, with women securing high-level command posts, the report underscores the existence of significant biases that still need to be addressed. Female soldiers highlighted additional challenges such as sexism, isolation, ill-fitting and inadequate equipment, lack of child care and healthcare, and a belief that they are often passed over for jobs that are then given to less qualified men. They expressed the need to work harder and achieve perfection to gain respect, while male soldiers generally believed that women were respected and had equal chances for promotions but had doubts about their equal skills.
While some soldiers countered negative opinions by highlighting the value of working with women, the overall findings of the report are concerning. It is crucial to recognize that around 8% of the 29,000 active duty soldiers in Army special operations are female, with only a fraction holding operational roles. The report includes 42 recommendations to address these issues, emphasizing increased training, awareness of sexual harassment, mentorship, healthcare, and other related concerns.
It is uncertain if other military services will conduct similar reviews. However, this study by USASOC serves as an important step towards identifying and eliminating barriers faced by female soldiers in special operations. The Army is committed to developing a more inclusive and equitable environment. By fostering respect, understanding, and recognizing the significant contributions of women in these roles, it is hoped that progress will continue to be made towards a more inclusive and supportive military.
