Rank Your Rank: Women in the Military

Statement of the Issue
Historically the military has been viewed as a male dominated force, but more recently it has become common for women to break ranks and to join. Women who join the military raise very important topics and essential feminist concerns because their decision deals with women's empowerment and overall equality to men. The article "Three Views on Women in the Military" states that in the past three decades women make up approximately fourteen percent of the active duty force. In the past women who were involved in the military only participated as nurses or far away from the combat zones. Women are thought of as the "weaker sex" because they cannot deal with the pressures that come with being in the military. This is essentially an oppressive form of thought because it implies that women are denied the opportunity to obtain same positions as men, even when they can perform the same tasks with equal skill. Presently, this form of thought is being left behind as more and more women are occupying positions of standard and higher ranks. We find this issue of great importance because these women are pioneers in the fight against female oppression in political and combative situations. The feminist issue arises due to the historical hierarchies of men in power and the unequal opportunities for women soldiers.

Purpose of the Research
The purpose of our research is to explore and understand the plight of women in the military and to gain knowledge about their experiences dealing with pressure from men and society. Through our interviews we would like to discover how women are empowered by their experiences. More specifically, how sharing the same ranks, and thus the same responsibility and power, enforce equal treatment to be given to men and women alike. We interviewed Tina Morgan, Shannon Goodwin, Traci Mize. We interviewed these women because we were seeking three women, who had separate and different experiences with the military. Three women, who did not know each other, and did not occupy the same positions seemed to be the best angle to take when finding whether gender effects experience.

Interview: Shannon Goodwin
First, we interviewed Tech Sergeant Shannon Goodwin. Goodwin has been in the military for seventeen years, and joined because she has strong family background in the military and has always felt comfortable in the military. Sergeant Goodwin in general felt that the military is in fact male-dominated, but at the same time, does not exhibit sexism. She explained that the system of promotion and climbing the ranks in the military is determined by tests that every person has to take, regardless of the their gender, so the equality is there. Goodwin felt completely part of the "brotherhood" and she feels that they're a family regardless of their gender. She talked about how she would support the men that she knows on the front line one hundred percent, even if she couldn't be out their with them. She absolutely feels that the military had made her a better woman by making her stronger, building her discipline, and helping her to deal with and accept things that she faces in her life.

Interview: Tina Morgan
Second, we interviewed Erin's aunt, Tina Morgan. Major Morgan is a Major in the Army Nurse Core. Major Morgan expressed a very different view on sexism in the military than Sergeant Goodwin. Though she expressed a lot of respect for the military, and a desire to make a career in the military for herself by serving 20 or more years, she did acknowledge that she has encountered sexism.

Major Morgan does acknowledge the presence of sexism in the military, however she makes it clear that she does not allow it to affect her experience.

Though she also felt like a part of the military "brotherhood" with men, she talked about how even today some men still do not want women in the military at all. She expressed her opinion that men's biases against women is the real problem, but these biases are not facilitated by the actions of women themselves. Major Morgan feels that the military works to make her a better person, but not necessarily a better woman. 

Interview: Traci Mize 

Third, we interviewed Trevor's friend, Specialist Traci Mize. She is in 68 Juliet, Medical logistics specialist. She is also well trained in combat, is a weapons specialist, and an award winner for excellent performance. This 22 year old has been in the army for 2 1/2 

years and plans to be in until retirement. Her great love for the military comes from most of the male figures in her life being in the military. She is the only woman in her family that has joined. She says that the reason she first joined was to honor her family and prove to others that she was worthy. However throughout her experience, her views changed and she now participates in the military more for herself and works to prove to herself that she is all she can be. She did express that there is sexism in the military but no more than in civilian life. She believes in the brotherhood/sisterhood of soldiers and would fight to the death for any of her fellow soldiers no matter what race or sex. She feels that the military has made her a better woman in the fact that she is more confident in her abilities, more self sufficient, and more adamant that she does not need a man to make her complete.

Conclusion
Overall, we interviewed a very diverse group of women from a wide variety of backgrounds. Though they all had experiences in the military, their experiences affected them differently and gave them unique views on their womanhood in relation to their careers in the military. Even the women that felt that there was in fact sexism in the military overcame it, and felt that they had reached a place where they are part of something special, and important; a brotherhood/sisterhood. No matter what views some may take on women in the military, these women know that they are part of a family where gender doesn't make you any more or less a part of it.

Reflection

We felt this project was a very eye-opening experience that gave us a lot of insight into the world of the military and helped us emphasize our point that women are just as capable as men. Even in this historically male-dominated field, women have taken a place for themselves and become established. We didn't really like that our two projects fell so close together which was kind of stressful and a little rushed, but we did like that we got to talk to so many interesting women, spend time with our group whom we love, and Trevor specifically thought it was intriguing to talk to a woman who could take him in a fight. The whole project was a good experience because it showed how women all have different experiences and unique perspectives that make an impression on society.