In a round-table discussion held last night in 3 Rockefeller Center, four members of the armed forces discussed the past, present and future roles of women in the military.
Before a small crowd of mostly females, U.S. Army Specialist Danielle Downing '99, U.S. Army Captain Kim Field, U.S. Air Force Chaplain Major Gwendolyn King and Vermont National Guard Colonel Martha Rainville discussed issues ranging from women in combat to South Carolina's The Citadel.
All of the panelists conceded that women face barriers in the military.
Rainville said "there is a glass ceiling in the military" and cited the small percentage of senior female officers.
King, the College's Christian chaplain, told of her denied desire to be a fighter pilot in the Air Force, a position that excluded women.
But the women described the armed forces' gender discrimination as limited. Downing, who entered the army after high school, said although she was one of a handful of women surrounded by men, she never "experienced anything but respect as a soldier."
Field, an instructor at West Point, when describing her career in the armed forces, said "I never felt resources were withheld from me."
Rainville made headlines last year when she was elected the first female Adjutant General in the United States. As Adjutant General, she heads the general Vermont National Guard. She said throughout her military career people took her seriously because they realized she cared about what she did.
All of the panelists agreed that the Air Force is the most accepting of women of all the armed forces. Rainville said the Air Force is the most progressive because it is newer than the other branches.
When asked whether women should be allowed to participate in armed combat, the panelists were torn. King said that while it is important for women to be given the opportunity to serve based on ability, our society is not prepared to see women coming home in body bags.
"I don't think we're ready for women in the armor or infantry right now," Field said.
However, Downing argued that "if women are physically capable and meet the standards they should be able to serve their country."
When asked if women should be drafted, Rainville said "the country should just draft citizens, not sons or daughters."
The panelists were undecided on the issue of the recent Supreme Court ruling forcing Virginia Military Institute and The Citadel to admit women. Downing said there should be coed and single-sex schools. She said what is important is turning out someone who can accomplish a mission.
Rainville said while equal opportunities should be available for all citizens, she "is not real sure how [she] feels about forcing schools to change their traditions."
None of the women believe the standards should be lowered to enable women to meet basic requirements. Field said a problem occurs when standards for a specific job are lowered. King said the question should be whether the person is "physically fit to carry out the mission."
Responding to recent negative publicity regarding women in the armed forces, Martha said the events were "isolated situations."
All of the women said they were devoted to the military. King said all servicemen, male or female, should strive for integrity, service and excellence.
