The purpose of this Commission was to conduct an evaluation and assessment of the policies and practices that comprise and shape gender diversity in the military. The MLDC found that each Service defined diversity differently. Diversity is about differences, real or perceived; among groups, and people used it as a form of justification for discrimination The Commission develop a definition that inspires a common vision and build the foundation of change throughout the Department of Defense. The Commission defines diversity as “all the different characteristics and attributes of individuals that are consistent with the Department of Defense core values, integral to overall readiness and mission accomplishment, and reflective of the Nation
With the women’s rights movement and the end of the draft the pentagon was compelled to review the status of women in the military. (Moore) The Army committee had recommendations to separate the women’s corps to increase the specialties offered to women. The Army committee also pushed opening ROTC and military academies to women and also changed the law that required automatic discharge if a woman became pregnant. It was after these recommendations were followed that women could serve in 430 of the 467 military specialties, but they could not command any unit that had a combat mission.
It is also widely studied that there is a disparity between the culture of the military and that of society. Most studies suggest that the two cultures should be aligned because the military is an extension of the society it defends. One could propose that the military culture has changed significantly over the last decade as society has attempted to keep it aligned. The following are a few examples of policies that have affected the military culture: gender equality in the various services, acceptance of sexual preference, women in combat positions, and transgender equalities. The military culture has resisted adopting these policy changes each and every time, based on the fact that they were downward directed.
Diane Andrews Henningfeld edited Should Women Be Allowed to Serve in Combat in the U.S Armed Forces, the purpose for writing this book gave the reader reasons why women should be in the army and how they should get what they deserve for playing a part in the war. In the opening lines it states “Women have been fighting shoulder-to-shoulder with men in the United States Army since the Republic’s beginnings undisputable historic facts.” This sentence tells us that the author is really bias toward women in the army. In introducing the book, Diane Henningfeld tells of us about how women should be in the U.S Army.
Due to this over exaggeration, men are not able to create their own identity, which leads to serious gender and behavioral issues. This forced environment leads to women having to act differently as well because many people feel that “women are not held to the same standards as men” (Nicolas) Nicolas shows that the military environment affects women as well as men and forces genders to act in different ways. Gender is not universal but the military forces gender roles to be blown out of proportion. Women are not held to the same standards as men, which in our day and age should be unheard of. Nicolas’ piece extends the point that Myers makes about the military environment and genders.
Northrop Grumman has published a Corporate Responsibility Report on an annual basis since 2007, highlighting its goals and accomplishments in diversity and inclusion. Their 2015 goals included creating an inclusive environment through awareness and leadership training and increasing women and people of color in leadership roles. In response to their goals, Northrop Grumman redeveloped their employee survey used to measure Northrop Grumman’s efforts at creating an engaging and inclusive environment. The results provided managers insight into more effective ways to address diversity and inclusion among their immediate reports. Future generations have not been overlooked in Northrop Grumman’s diversity goals.
Maxine Hong Kingston's use of talk stories in The Woman Warrior emphasizes that individuals will find a more fulfilling life if they defy the traditional gender norms place on them by society. While contemplating beauty standards in Chinese society in “No Name Woman” Maxine Kingston thinks, “Sister used to sit on their beds and cry together… as their mothers or their slaves removed the bandages for a few minutes each night and let the blood gush back into their veins” (9). From a young age girls are expected to be binding their feet and are told that it is to look beautiful, but in reality that is not why. When a womans feet are bound they are restrained and silenced. These girls could be free and happy but they are restrained by men through this binding.
In one of the articles, it says that men and women should have equal rights to do the same thing even if they are different genders. This proves that everybody should be equal and that was one of the reasons why they created these Women Army Corps. “A gender-equal society would be one where the word 'gender' does not exist: where everyone can be themselves.” -Gloria Steinem The main reason for creating these corps were because of the women who became upset with the fact that a long time ago at that time, men always served in the army and women were only allowed to stay at home and cook for their families.
What are some expectations that people have over women in the military? Some examples may include that they are strong and independent soldiers, have good courtship with each other, nursery, motherly figures, objects as well as supporters of the men. These assumptions and expectations of what are the women status, roles, duties, and part of the military are half of the whole concept of how social and cultural norms of war in war, but there are still more that society doesn't know. The struggles, reality, and issues that women in both the past and present wars face throughout their deployment and life after while being looked upon by the society but yet they changed the traditional views for women.
The United States Coast Guard has begun to take steps to stop the criticism of the lack of minorities in their ranks. In terms of percentage the coast guard is made up of only 14.8 percent minorities, whereas they make up 31.2 percent of all other military services combined. Hiring practices in the United States is a hot topic and the Coast Guard wants to remove themselves from the topic. The Coast Guard plays an important role in our nations security by protecting our ports, maintaining maritime border security, and many other important issues. Our government and especially our law enforcement have been under a lot of scrutiny lately about mistreatment of minorities.
As a military training instructor, I had the privilege to train young men and women from all over the world. According to Kinicki, Fugate (2016), diversity pertains to our individual differences that make us unique. Generally, the airman I trained put aside their differences and start working together immediately if they wanted to graduate from basic military training. Furthermore, I told them why it was important to work together, I rarely had a problem in my dorm. “There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification” (1 Corinthians 14:10, KJV).
Homosexuality, for decades, was not accepted in the military. They would be punished if their secret became uncovered, and eventually discharged. In 1992, Bill Clinton made it possible for gays to join, but they could not discuss their sexual orientations, in accordance with the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy. If their secret came out, they would face a negatively impacting discharge, still. December of 2010 was the biggest accomplishment for homosexuals involved in the military, with the repeal of DADT, allowing homosexuals to openly serve in the United States Armed Forces.
Workforce diversity, such as team diversity, or racial diversity, or gender diversity, is the key component for excellent performance because it guidelines VA employees understand and provide the best services to the diverse population of Veterans who they serve. Moreover, VA medical providers rank high in professionalism, and the employees are passionate, energetic, and dedicated to their jobs and organization which leads to optimum organizational performance in serving Veterans. VA leads all cabinet level agencies in the employment and hiring of individuals with targeted disabilities. The ACSI ranks VA customer satisfaction among Veteran patients among the best in the nation and equal to or better than ratings for private sector hospitals. * Human Capital Investment Plan (HCIP) has facilitated VA 's human resources and administration office to launch critical initiatives and build infrastructure that support them, including speed in recruiting, hiring, and retention.*Assessment and Accountability Framework (HCAAF)—is a performance management system that differentiates between high and low levels of performance and links individual/team/unit performance to organizational goals and desired
However, women are progressing in the services. C.J Lin acknowledges the progress in the article, “ Military 's Progress on Women in Combat Criticized”. Lin states that, “....The Marines have made little progress in integrating women into jobs they already qualify for, and the purpose of a proposed physical screening test is questionable since it focuses on strength-based measures and not skills actually needed for the work, according to Greg Jacob, a former Marine and policy director of the Service Women’s Action Network. The Marines’ plan calls for testing women to see if they can lift 135 pounds, bench 115 pounds, carry 95 pounds for 50 meters while wearing full combat gear, load a 120mm tank round and scale a 7-foot wall.
The strategic programs have increased minority representation and have enabled the Army to reflect American society. These programs combined with emphasis on broadening assignments as integral element of leader development has allowed the Army to benefit from two positive results of diversity (Erbe, 2014). An inclusive Army is known to be a positive manifestation of nation for espoused commitment to equality and it is specifically important while deploying because Army represents America all across the globe. The cognitive diversity gained by exposing leaders to
The gender role in military as women categorized and stereotyped by men has never been easy. Military does not require muscular or gender power for leadership in combat or command positions. Some men believe that women in command will weaken the military tradition or military in context. The gender role of “women” and “soldiers” proved to many that is uncontested in World War I and II when women served as auxiliaries. Women have a long history of service in the military.