Okinawa

[Anonymous]

I have been on the island now for 6 months and is it just me or are females here treated differently. I am not talking about the Okinawa Princess Syndrom, either. I am mainly refering to the fact that I guess since we are severly outnumbered it feels that our treatment goes from one extreme to the other. Am I the only one who feels that females no matter what the rank here, because unlike stateside we are treated just a little unjustly here on the rock?

freak5811@hotmail.com

[Anonymous]

| |I have been on the island now for 6 months and is it just me or are females |here treated differently. I am not talking about the Okinawa Princess Syndrom, |either. I am mainly refering to the fact that I guess since we are severly |outnumbered it feels that our treatment goes from one extreme to the other. Am |I the only one who feels that females no matter what the rank here, because |unlike stateside we are treated just a little unjustly here on the rock?

I spent 18 months on the rock as you call it during the Vietnam Era. I had an E-8 who hated having women there let alone a 'hard rock' SGT like me who could keep up and many times outdo the men. I refused to allow him to get the best of me. Some of the men killed a snake and put it in my desk drawer thinking I'd faint at the sight of it. I was terrified of snakes and they had plenty of them on the rock especially during typhoon season when they'd clime the roof building and inside the building if they could to escape the water.

Anyway since the men thought it was humorous when I shrieked upon opening the desk drawer but than realized it was dead I took the darn thing and threw it at them. They laughed all that afternoon which was fine because I got all of them the next day. Since I was the SGT. filling in a GY. spot and the highest ranking in that office I started pulling morning inspections on their dress, haircut, shaves, boots, etc. I ordered them to come in proper uniform from that day forth, to keep their hair cut, etc. They thought I was joking even had a couple of them to challenge me. I picked up the phone, called the MP company for a couple MP's and when they arrived they along with me escorted these two male Marines to the barber shop and they ended with a haircut just like they had in bootcamp. Once back at the office we had formation and they were made an example of what they could expect from than on, they would be squared away Marines even if we were on an air field station. Things were quite lax back than with the war on and such, and our being background support for all planes flying in and out of Vietnam, transporting troops and materials most of the male marines looked more like bums than Marines.

As for the E-8 in the Battalion I kept a little black note book with all the garage he'd pull on us Women Marines. A few months later we were informed that the IG was coming to the station. He treated us like slaves, made us do all the dirty chores and would make remarks he was gonna chase 'all these dames out of the corp. He would state'women were put on this earth to have my babies and cook in the kitchen', so it did not set to well with him knowing the position I was in. Anyway we were advised by the Col. that the IG was coming and if any of us wanted to set time to speak with them to give our names to the GY. I was the only one to do so out of all the Marines on the whole station. The E-8 got wind of it and called me in and demanded to know why I wanted to see the IG. I told him, 'with all due respect to your rank sir, it's none of your business, it's a personal matter.' I was thought by my D.I. that if we always put first 'with all due respect to your rank sir' and no matter what we said afterwards we would not get in trouble because we were respecting the rank and the Marine Corps but we didn't have to respect the person wearing it. It always worked for me. Anyway the IG finally came and I got my time with the inspection team. I told them what was going on, gave them my notes and such. They left and went back to Headquarters Marine Corps in D.C. About a week later that E-8 got orders out of there, no one knew why or where he went. At least not at the lower level. The next day after that E-8 was gone I got called in by the Col. and chewed out for going over his head. I told that Col. 'with all due respect to your rank and position sir as a Marine, you didn't do a darn thing when things were reported to you, therefore you cannot accuse me of going over your head. Based on Article --------, whatever it was back than, Marines are given the opportunity to voice their satisfaction or dissatifaction to any Inspector Generals Team when they come to any post." You betcha he gave me a report stating I was an excellent Marine and did more than was asked of me but the one thing he had graded me on was for 'going over his head' rather than allow him the opportunity to fix it. Don't know how it works now when proficiency reports are given but we could accept it, sign or, or refuse to sign it and write a statement as to why we did not accept the report or parts of it. Naturally I refused to sign it and put in a rebuttal. It was not a big deal to me because though my MOS stated Personnel Chief and that was the billet that everyone assumed I worked in (which I did a few times a month just to keep up appearances) I didn't worry much about those guys. But I was in a particular position where I received some protection from those type that thought to harass women and try and make there life a living hell.

Point I'm trying to make is 'don't take the garbage from these men especially now in the 21st century (well we're almost there only a year to go before it actually starts). Don't be rude or obnoxious but cover your ---, and since todays technology is 1000 times better now than what we had back than, buy yourself a mini-voice activated tape recorder, stick it where your boobs lie :-) and let them hang themselves. Don't let your best friend know you are doing it. Don't let anyone know for crying out loud. Each day date each one and put it away in a safe place (send it home) and for crying out loud don't put it in your room if you live in the barracks. When you have enough on the individual and you can tolerate it there just before or as you are shipping out take it to the IG at HQMC in D.C. or if you are brave like me (some would say I was stupid) and an IG comes there present it to them or just write a long letter to the IG, along with the tapes, and send it registered mail with return receipt. Actually address it to them but put it in another envelope or package and send it to your folks and ask them to drop it in the mail for you.

I'm not trying to start anything here but that is one way to protect yourself. I realize the Corps has changed alot and their most likely are alot more avenues to go thru if need be on such things than you should try those first but remember if that doesn't work make a record of that also.

Where are you stationed at on the 'Rock'? I don't even know what bases they have there anymore. I know there was Camp Butler where most of the WM's went, Futema Air Station where I was and Kadena Air Force Base, and there was an Army Base but forget the name of that and there was a Navy base near Naha but that was turned over to the Japanese when we gave Okinawa back to them in 72.

What do y'all do for fun over there these days anyway?



frenchiestm@clds.net

[Anonymous]

: I have been on the island now for 6 months and is it just me or are females
: here treated differently. I am not talking about the Okinawa Princess
: Syndrom, either. I am mainly refering to the fact that I guess since we
: are severly outnumbered it feels that our treatment goes from one extreme
: to the other. Am I the only one who feels that females no matter what the
: rank here, because unlike stateside we are treated just a little unjustly
: here on the rock?


You guys are really bringing back memories. I believe that is really an awesome plan of action.

I remember being placed into the S-4 office at Pendleton years ago. It was hard work on the typewriter all day, but never really minded. They later assigned a male sergeant who did not like women for much of anything. He was always asking the C.O., how come she gets to deliver messages all over base on her bicycle and I don't? The C.O. would just say because she came up with the idea and she bought a bike. He didn't have one and since he was acting like a five year old, I refused to lend him mine. He was always singing, WM-WM-WM-WM-WM. Like that was a bad word. (How old were we supposed to be?) So the sergeant really began to turn the guys in the office against me. One day it finally came to a head and he made the challenge. He said that he couldn't believe they let women in the Corps and that we were all worthless. I finally asked everyone out loud if anyone had ever seen him do an ounce of work or get up out of his chair. No one could defend him at that point. He had to recover and said that he was going to win; nothing I could do against him. The guys all decided to back him, all against me. Yes, including the C.O.

I remembered seeing a guy spraying poison around the buildings there. I asked permission to go to lunch from the C.O. and he gladly said it was ok, because they all liked to go at a later time. I began to walk toward the bowling alley and saw a nice looking pizza box. I walked around the buildings and knew just where I would find a nice poisoned dead mouse. Put it in the empty pizza box and headed back to the S-4 office. I walked in and said hey guys, here's a pizza. They were all so delighted with the thought that they couldn't get it opened fast enough. I still laugh myself silly when I recall the look on their faces as they all saw nothing but a mouse in the pizza box. They all were frantically screaming and I was dancing around saying I won! I won! Na nana! I laughed so hard I was crying. The only thing they could say was that I was really sick. I think the blood that ran out of the mouses nose really added to the mess.

By the time I left Pendleton, the sergeant felt so bad about the way that he had treated me that he was appologizing and crying in front of everyone. I told him that is how I would remember him the rest of my life. I could forgive him, but there were no kind memories to remember him by. I told him that I had given him so many chances to change. The C.O. finally said that I was right. Couldn't believe it. I really don't understand some guys.

Lisa

Semper Fi anyways

lilmerc@yahoo.com

[Anonymous]

: I remembered seeing a guy spraying poison around the buildings there. I asked
: permission to go to lunch from the C.O. and he gladly said it was ok,
: because they all liked to go at a later time. I began to walk toward the
: bowling alley and saw a nice looking pizza box. I walked around the
: buildings and knew just where I would find a nice poisoned dead mouse. Put
: it in the empty pizza box and headed back to the S-4 office. I walked in
: and said hey guys, here's a pizza. They were all so delighted with the
: thought that they couldn't get it opened fast enough. I still laugh myself
: silly when I recall the look on their faces as they all saw nothing but a
: mouse in the pizza box. They all were frantically screaming and I was
: dancing around saying I won! I won! Na nana! I laughed so hard I was
: crying. The only thing they could say was that I was really sick. I think
: the blood that ran out of the mouses nose really added to the mess.
:
: Lisa
:
: Semper Fi anyways


LOL! I couldn't have done it better!

When were you in Pendleton? I was there in late 70 - til Jan. 26, 1972.

I worked in a secured area with a whimpy female LT. and a male SSGT. in the comm center where classified messages were picked up. And somewhere in there I became the 'bodyguard' for a female LCPL. She was there for schooling in the legal field(for almost 4 months).

frenchiestm@clds.net

[Anonymous]

: LOL! I couldn't have done it better!
:
: When were you in Pendleton? I was there in late 70 - til Jan. 26, 1972.
:
: I worked in a secured area with a whimpy female LT. and a male SSGT. in the
: comm center where classified messages were picked up. And somewhere in
: there I became the 'bodyguard' for a female LCPL. She was there for
: schooling in the legal field(for almost 4 months).


Thanks, but I really seem to have this thing about winning.:-} Pendleton 80-81 and later on to Lejeune with ambulance division. I would fight to the death for my command back at Pendleton. Made my command look ill at Lejeune where I was with ambulance division. Last I remember of my C.O. at Lejeune was him jumping up and down with both feet yelling, "women can't lift that much, women can't do that!" I had to laugh because he just blew my image of him right out the window. I lifted a tire that belonged to a construction piece of equipment called a pan. The tire was taller than me. It was comical to watch him walk way around me when we would pass in the hall or something. I used to race 250cc motorcycle motocross and would bring home two trophies at one time. I raced mens and womens division. I also competed in martial arts at lejeune and would always bring home two trophies. My section could not believe I could ride that size of a bike so I had to show them. That bike was a beast. You could hear it for miles. My C.O. at Lejeune used to get so radically peaved with my physical strength. We had a picnic at the barracks one time and the guys started passing the football. I went over and joined in about the time the C.O. came over with the First Sergeant. So I told the guys to run out and punted the ball to them, like - perfect shot too. I'll never be able to do that beautiful of a kick again in my life. I thought the C.O. was going to throw up because of how far I had kicked the ball. He began to realize that he was never going to accept my strength, would just shake his head and walk away. But I'll always remember the unit and how they accepted me. Those guys were the best. Sure do miss 'em.

Lisa

lilmerc@yahoo.com

[Anonymous]

: | |I have been on the island now for 6 months and is it just me or are
: females |here treated differently. I am not talking about the Okinawa
: Princess Syndrom, |either. I am mainly refering to the fact that I guess
: since we are severly |outnumbered it feels that our treatment goes from
: one extreme to the other. Am |I the only one who feels that females no
: matter what the rank here, because |unlike stateside we are treated just a
: little unjustly here on the rock?
:
: I spent 18 months on the rock as you call it during the Vietnam Era. I had an
: E-8 who hated having women there let alone a 'hard rock' SGT like me who
: could keep up and many times outdo the men. I refused to allow him to get
: the best of me. Some of the men killed a snake and put it in my desk
: drawer thinking I'd faint at the sight of it. I was terrified of snakes
: and they had plenty of them on the rock especially during typhoon season
: when they'd clime the roof building and inside the building if they could
: to escape the water.
:
: Anyway since the men thought it was humorous when I shrieked upon opening the
: desk drawer but than realized it was dead I took the darn thing and threw
: it at them. They laughed all that afternoon which was fine because I got
: all of them the next day. Since I was the SGT. filling in a GY. spot and
: the highest ranking in that office I started pulling morning inspections
: on their dress, haircut, shaves, boots, etc. I ordered them to come in
: proper uniform from that day forth, to keep their hair cut, etc. They
: thought I was joking even had a couple of them to challenge me. I picked
: up the phone, called the MP company for a couple MP's and when they
: arrived they along with me escorted these two male Marines to the barber
: shop and they ended with a haircut just like they had in bootcamp. Once
: back at the office we had formation and they were made an example of what
: they could expect from than on, they would be squared away Marines even if
: we were on an air field station. Things were quite lax back than with the
: war on and such, and our being background support for all planes flying in
: and out of Vietnam, transporting troops and materials most of the male
: marines looked more like bums than Marines.
:
: As for the E-8 in the Battalion I kept a little black note book with all the
: garage he'd pull on us Women Marines. A few months later we were informed
: that the IG was coming to the station. He treated us like slaves, made us
: do all the dirty chores and would make remarks he was gonna chase 'all
: these dames out of the corp. He would state'women were put on this earth
: to have my babies and cook in the kitchen', so it did not set to well with
: him knowing the position I was in. Anyway we were advised by the Col. that
: the IG was coming and if any of us wanted to set time to speak with them
: to give our names to the GY. I was the only one to do so out of all the
: Marines on the whole station. The E-8 got wind of it and called me in and
: demanded to know why I wanted to see the IG. I told him, 'with all due
: respect to your rank sir, it's none of your business, it's a personal
: matter.' I was thought by my D.I. that if we always put first 'with all
: due respect to your rank sir' and no matter what we said afterwards we
: would not get in trouble because we were respecting the rank and the
: Marine Corps but we didn't have to respect the person wearing it. It
: always worked for me. Anyway the IG finally came and I got my time with
: the inspection team. I told them what was going on, gave them my notes and
: such. They left and went back to Headquarters Marine Corps in D.C. About a
: week later that E-8 got orders out of there, no one knew why or where he
: went. At least not at the lower level. The next day after that E-8 was
: gone I got called in by the Col. and chewed out for going over his head. I
: told that Col. 'with all due respect to your rank and position sir as a
: Marine, you didn't do a darn thing when things were reported to you,
: therefore you cannot accuse me of going over your head. Based on Article
: --------, whatever it was back than, Marines are given the opportunity to
: voice their satisfaction or dissatifaction to any Inspector Generals Team
: when they come to any post." You betcha he gave me a report stating I
: was an excellent Marine and did more than was asked of me but the one
: thing he had graded me on was for 'going over his head' rather than allow
: him the opportunity to fix it. Don't know how it works now when
: proficiency reports are given but we could accept it, sign or, or refuse
: to sign it and write a statement as to why we did not accept the report or
: parts of it. Naturally I refused to sign it and put in a rebuttal. It was
: not a big deal to me because though my MOS stated Personnel Chief and that
: was the billet that everyone assumed I worked in (which I did a few times
: a month just to keep up appearances) I didn't worry much about those guys.
: But I was in a particular position where I received some protection from
: those type that thought to harass women and try and make there life a
: living hell.
:
: Point I'm trying to make is 'don't take the garbage from these men especially
: now in the 21st century (well we're almost there only a year to go before
: it actually starts). Don't be rude or obnoxious but cover your ---, and
: since todays technology is 1000 times better now than what we had back
: than, buy yourself a mini-voice activated tape recorder, stick it where
: your boobs lie :-) and let them hang themselves. Don't let your best
: friend know you are doing it. Don't let anyone know for crying out loud.
: Each day date each one and put it away in a safe place (send it home) and
: for crying out loud don't put it in your room if you live in the barracks.
: When you have enough on the individual and you can tolerate it there just
: before or as you are shipping out take it to the IG at HQMC in D.C. or if
: you are brave like me (some would say I was stupid) and an IG comes there
: present it to them or just write a long letter to the IG, along with the
: tapes, and send it registered mail with return receipt. Actually address
: it to them but put it in another envelope or package and send it to your
: folks and ask them to drop it in the mail for you.
:
: I'm not trying to start anything here but that is one way to protect
: yourself. I realize the Corps has changed alot and their most likely are
: alot more avenues to go thru if need be on such things than you should try
: those first but remember if that doesn't work make a record of that also.
:
: Where are you stationed at on the 'Rock'? I don't even know what bases they
: have there anymore. I know there was Camp Butler where most of the WM's
: went, Futema Air Station where I was and Kadena Air Force Base, and there
: was an Army Base but forget the name of that and there was a Navy base
: near Naha but that was turned over to the Japanese when we gave Okinawa
: back to them in 72.
:
: What do y'all do for fun over there these days anyway?


Well we still have Camp Butler/Foster, Camp Schwab, Camp Hansen, Camp Kinser, Camp Courtney, Camp Lester, and Futenma Air Station. Right now they are in the process of relocating Futenma to the Nago area. It has caused a big stink with the locals here. That is until mainland offered up some big cash to pay Okinawa for the relocation. They are closing down Lester and consolidating everything located there to Camp Butler. The Army still has Torii Station, the Air Force has Kadena, and the Navy has Camp Shields. I am sure that the island has changed since you were here last. We have Taco Bell, Burger King, Popeye's, Charlie's Steakery, Baskin Robbins, Anthony's Pizza, Pizza Inn, and several more. I could say with certainity that in other ways it has not changed. I bet that there are still buildings here that were here when you were here last and probably have been here for several years before you were here. We just moved out of a building that had been condemned for 10 years! Amazing! We mostly go to Gate 2 street, hang out at the E-clubs, sit in the barracks, or go out on tours.

The changes in the Marine Corps over here are difficult for everyone. Because soomeone down the line screwed it up for everyone else. There are a lot of rules and regs but I still enjoy it here. As a matter of fact I met my husband when I first came on island and we were married 6 months later. I will always have a great souviner from Okinawa... my marriage certificate.

Speaking as an E-3 and a female it is difficult. However I believe that females here make it harder on themselves. Instead of bonding together and standing strong they are stabbing each other in the back while at the same time smiling in your face. I just don't get it. You would think that with all there is to being a woman in the Marine Corps that we would work to better each other instead of demean each other. I have found the men here to be more afraid of the women than demean them. I have seen a lot of cases where females cry sexual harrassment because someone pissed them off. I have seen women cry rape because the get caught or get a reputation. Within the first three months of me being here I have seen several females turn up pregnant all because they weren't responsible in the first place. Not to say that sexual harrassment and rapes don't still happen here. However, because of the false accusations it makes the real incidents seem less believable. It overshadows the true problems. I have maybe two or three women I call my friends here the rest are guys. I have stood up for women in this Battalion when they win a Meritoriuos promotion only to have the male sopinions proved right, that they don't deserve their rank nor do they now how to be a leader. It is very sad. I have been fortunate to be put in a section where I may be the only woman but I have the support of my fellow Marines and great SNCO leadership to guide me. I can honestly say that within my first 15 months in the military that have personally have never been sexually discriminated against nor have I been sexually harrassed.

rhoadessn@mcbbutler.usmc.mil