Anonymous
12-31-1969, 07:00 PM
I have written here previously about the Navy's weight requirements.**I think I sounded kind of "poor me", but I really don't have a problem with weight requirements as long as they are applied fairly and equally.**That's all I am going to say about that.Having spent 16 years on active duty (and I have been out almost 12 years), I would like to say that joining the Navy was the best thing I could have done. I learned a skill that I was able to apply in the civilian world (I was a journalist) and I got to see a lot of the world.**Ethiopia, Japan, Guam, Sicily and Spain, as well as virginia and Florida.Navy life can be great, but you must have the right attitude about it. I am probably not the best person to bring this up, but I truly believe physical fitness and other standards should be toughen for women because thing are a lot different than they were when I originally enlisted in 1970.**We were told that our main function in life was to fill a shore duty billet, so a man could go to sea. But it's different now.**Women are going to sea and believe me, if I had received orders to a ship when I was in, I would not have been prepared for it. The fact is if you want to compete with men in their "world" you have to be ready physically, mentally and emotionally. I would enjoy reading any other's comments on this.
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peggy_ellis@hotmail.com
Anonymous
12-31-1969, 07:00 PM
I agree, women shouldn't be catered too because they are women. From reading this site and others, I think that there have been changes and am glad to see them. I have not been in the military yet, but am considering the naval reserves. Or maybe the air force reserves. When I read some of the messages on these sites, I just wonder how these women make it through boot camp. They seem to be so worried about their hair, their menstral cycle, and so forth. I say, so what!! Cut your hair and deal with your cycle on your own. I am just amazed on how pety some of the worries are. Anyhow, my question to you is... I seen that you were a journalist, I am considering photpgraphy. Can you give me any insight on this career, if you can, or point me in the right direction. I was going to do this with the APG( I think) program. (on the job training) I wouldn't mind talking to someone who has done this, and you are the first person who came close to this field. Let me know if you have any information. Thanks.
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praid1@yahoo.com
Anonymous
12-31-1969, 07:00 PM
Hello, Peggy!** Well, I agree with you & I disagree.**I first joined the Navy in '83, & had to really push to get a sea billet on a Destroyer Tender in Italy.**I was the only woman in my "A" school class.**Onboard my first ship, there were only 5 women in the 200 man Engineering Dept, & about 100 on the 1600 man ship.**I remember checking aboard as an EMFA (Electrician) and being asked if I could type.**(I said no.)**I remember being told I'd never make it.**I remember things that would NEVER be allowed to happen in today's Navy, and although I'm extremely pleased with the progress, I do get a little impatient from time to time when I hear horror stories that really aren't, if you know what I mean. (I know you do.)** I've got about 7 1/2 years of Sea time under my belt now, & am transferring back to sea again for 3 years in a few months.**I'll be going to a...... DESTROYER!!! Yes, that's right, a small combatant ship with all the newest technology.**I'm very excited.**Things have certainly changed.**Anyhow, here's where I agree with you:**Sea duty is arduous, & you have to be prepared for it.**Every person in the Navy, regardless of age, sex, or any other reason or excuse, simply must be able to carry a fully charged CO2 bottle from a Repair Locker to a casualty.**They must be able to handle a fire hose.**When responding to a fire on the pier, I had to run the length of it carrying all my electrical toolbags QUICKLY, & it was a long pier.**There are other taskings unique to the ratings people choose that have physical demands as well. An Electronics Tech or a Quartermaster, though, should have physical standards that are less than that of a Hull or Boiler Tech.** So, yes, of course women should be able to do the same as their male counterparts if they’re asking for the same job, and yes, they need to be prepared for sea duty.**Now for where I disagree with you.**First, I think you may be underestimating yourself.**I was often surprised by what I could do, especially with an adrenaline rush.**And the more you do, the more you’re able to.**Secondly, I think the existing standards are adequate for the job at hand in most cases.**If the job is more physically demanding, though, I feel the requirements should be.**And lastly, there’s the issue I assume you’re really getting at.**All my standards are the same as the men’s, except one:**the semi-annual physical readiness test.**I hate it, because it makes me really feel inadequate.**I score Outstanding for a woman my age, but my score would only translate to an Excellent for the men. They’re VERY aware of the disparity in requirements between the sexes.**But here’s what everyone misses.**Everyone thinks this test is designed as a minimum strength and endurance test for the job at hand.**It’s NOT!!!**The test is designed to measure physical FITNESS.**That’s why it’s broken down by AGE as well as sex.**It’s based on what the AVERAGE 30 year old woman or 40 year old man (examples) could do if they were in reasonably good shape.**It’s not designed to be a minimum strength requirement; that’s a pervasive and dreadful misconception, & this misconception makes it all the more difficult to make a case for equality, as it appears to be a “lowering of standards”.**It’s not.**The problem is folks don’t understand what the “standard” is that’s being measured.**Personally, I wish the Navy’d get away from this test & make meaningful standards that vary depending on the job, that ARE measurements of strength and endurance, and that make no discrimination between age, sex, or any other factor other than the ability & strength to do the job at hand.**A “physical ASVAB”, if you will.**So …. I guess what I disagree with you on is the “toughening up of standards for women.”**Our standards are identical, save the one we just discussed, and I think that whole program needs to be revamped.**I also think the vast majority of women are more than capable of handling shipboard life, & handling it well.**They just don’t realize it sometimes, until they’re put to the test.**
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wjungle@pacbell.net