Harassment Issues -- File #5, 2000

I want to tell women who write about their terrible treatment, PTSD, and other serious consequences of the culture we live in that they are not alone, the past is filled with largely silent women who have undergone gross injustices and mistreatment, but that there is, at least, some information out there about it.  See my book, "Warriors Without Weapons:  The Victimization of Military Women", by Donna Dean, and "Hornet's Nest" by Missy Cummings for example.

I was in the Army from 1978 - 1981, and as I read the stories submitted to your website, nothing has changed.  I was harassed by the 1SGT and tried to go through the chain of command.  Nothing worked and everyone knew.  I've been wanting to write my thoughts and experiences, as well as other women's stories too, in order to write a book.  People need to know what the REAL military is all about.

I have been in the navy for 6 1/2 years now and I have not seen a happy moment so far.  I am still in

the navy because deep down I still believe that there is hope for a successful career.

I am a Surface Warfare Officer.  My first assignment was on an aircraft carrier.  We have what you call "Hail and Farewells" where the new officers are "hailed" and the officers leaving are "farewelled."  Our party was held

in the gulf near Du Bi.  We were told to travel in two for safety because of the high anti-American crime rate.  I was having a great time at the party, until an aviator came up to me and called me a "B----".  He went on to tell

me how I have been here less than one day and have not only spoke to the captain, but have danced with him.  If I weren't civilized, I would have done something to that man.  I was so mad that I told the XO, I was leaving with or without a second person.  My tour on the carrier continued to be that hard.  I watched as new officers come on the bride and pass me in their qualification for their Surface Warfare  pin not because I was slow, but because the officers in charged wanted to "show their power over me" per say.  I put up with it for two years and finally put my foot down and requested a SWO board with the Capt.  I not only passed it, but passed it on

the first try much to the chagrin of the officers who were holding me back and to the ones who passed me and had to try for the board a second time.  I left the carrier not satisfied with the navy.   My second tour was even worst.  I will not even go into detail, but I will say that I put my department head and almost the XO and CO on report. 

Through all my trials, I have kept strong because I have a stronger being on my side, GOD.  He has never failed me yet.  He has sent people in my path to keep me going when I got discouraged.  If it were not for Him, I would not have the faith that I will have a good career someday.   God bless.

I was in the U.S. Marine Corps for four years.  I was an avionics tech on the CH-53E helicopter.  I experienced discrimination because of two reasons (1. I am a black female 2. other females in my unit had already screwed it up for the rest of us who wanted to do our jobs).  I had to go to my shop GnySgt. constantly because I wasn't allowed to do my job, I was sent on working parties instead.  The other females in my shop preferred doing as little of their job as possible, so they assumed I was the same way.  The males fresh out of school were sent out to the "birds" to work off discrepancies, but I was never sent.  I finally figured out how to use my chain of command and requested mast.  It of course never left the shop, but it let my superiors know that I meant business.  After a long talk with my shop supervisor I was sent to out to work.  I had to work twice as hard to gain acceptance in my shop and longer hours.  Many days I worked from 0700 to 2100.  I of course did not enjoy coming in as day crew and ending up working with night crew, but I wanted to be part of the gang.  I eventually was allowed "in the club" after 6 months of hard work, but, was all of that necessary?  I knew more than the guys from my class (I was our class leader and graduated highest in our class with a 97 GPA) I had a higher pft than most of the guys in my shop (I never had lower than a 290 in my four years and it was usually a 300!). Most of the guys in my shop were on weight control or mando pt because they had failed their pft!  I should have been the one to mistreat them...they weren't up to my standards.  I excelled in my shop and became known as GI Jane.  I made Sgt. in 3 years which is good in my field especially for a female.  Females had been stopped from going on cross country flights because of an incident that involved 1 female having intercourse with almost every guy on the trip (including officers).  I was tested on 1 trip to Key West, Fl. and since there were no problems I was sent on all cross countries after that.  I'm out of the Marines now only because I want to finish my electrical engineering degree.  This is my last semester in school and I plan on going back to the military as an officer.  I know my story is not as bad as the others on the website but I wanted to send it anyway.  You control your own destiny, don't let anyone tell you that you can't do anything.  If you give up and don't fight for what you believe in then you never really wanted it and they win.  We as women have to stand up and take these "bull headed" men by their "horns", and let them know that we're here to stay and if they don't like it they need to find a new job!   

sincerely, Optimistic Vet in Florida :)