REPORT ADVISES PUTTING WOMEN INTO MARINE PLATOONS IN RECRUIT TRAINING


By bblouin
Marine Corps women stand at parade rest during the 69th anniversary of women in the Marine Corps aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., Feb. 13, 2012.

Integrating Marine Corps women into Infantry and boot camps has faced years of resistance. Now, a report from the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services (DACOWITS), is showing that women should be included in platoons. This is along with the inclusion of mixed-gender drill instructors. The hope is to improve training, and teamwork, and to help retain more women for the branch long term. Suggested read: How to Motivate Yourself to Workout When Depressed – Tips for Vets

Can a Woman Be in the Marine Corps?

Marine Corps women have been around for well over 100 years. Women in the Marine Corps became a reality after the enlistment of Opha May Johnson. She joined as a reserve on August 13, 1918, in World War I. Since that time, there have been many different strides for women in defense. Arguably, the USMC has been taking the smallest ones when it comes to integration. The 2023 DACOWITS annual report shows that full integration of Marine Corps women into the platoons along with teams made up of mixed-gender drill instructors is necessary for the future of Devil Dogs. Not only are Marines recruiting the lowest number of women, but it's also the last branch to fully integrate. All of this comes at a time when there have been years of pressure for the USMC to do so. Related read: Celebrating Women in the Military: WW2’s 6888th Battalion

More Measures to Attract and Retain Women in the United States Marine Corps

Following visits to recruit depots in San Diego, California, and Parris Island, South Carolina, DACOWITS recommended integrating platoons at these installations to enhance the preparation of male and female recruits for integration into operational forces. Additionally, DACOWITS making the proposal for mixed-gender drill instructor teams is already in place in other military branches. The USMC is the only branch to retain gender-integrated companies with separate platoons for men and women. The report highlights the importance of full integration for the Marines to normalize inter-gender relationships before deployment and the importance of the platoon as a primary learning environment. DACOWITS noted hindrances caused by a lack of integration, particularly in tasks requiring teamwork among Marines. The report highlights physical training as crucial for fostering cohesion, asserting that gender-integrated training may enhance unity. Many benefits have already been observed in other branches, as the committee is advocating for full integration during transformative training moments, excluding only showering and sleeping. The report urges Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to mandate the Marine Corps to implement these changes, aligning with guidelines from the fiscal 2020 National Defense Authorization Act that prohibits gender-segregated recruit training. In 2023, the 4th Recruit Training Battalion, which previously trained all the women in the Marines, was deactivated at Parris Island. This further highlights the need to integrate as noted by DACOWITS.

When Was DACOWITS Formed?

Since 1951, the Defense Department Advisory Committee on Women in the Services (DACOWITS) has been helping address issues. It has been creating women-focused initiatives within the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). The Committee was developed through the enactment of the 1948 Women's Armed Services Integration Act. It is provided authority from the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) of 1972 and 41 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) § 102-3.50(d).

How Many Women Are in the Marine Corps?

As of now, the Marine Corps comprises approximately 16,286 women, representing about 9% of the branch. The 2020 National Defense Authorization Act requires the implementation of integrations suggested in the DACOWITS report by 2025 and 2028 for East and West Coast bases. This is offering optimism for augmenting the presence of Marine Corps women amidst escalating tensions in the world. Read next: Niger Military Splits Ties With US Government With Immediate Effect


CONNECT WITH US
VeteranLife Logo

©2024 VeteranLife. All rights reserved.