This week an amazing thing happened, the Afghan National Army (ANA) went co-ed (http://www.military.com/news/article/first-female-afghan-army-officers-graduate.html?col=1186032310810). 29 females graduated Officer Candidate School and will now be serving side by side with their male peers….well not really side by side since they won’t be in combat, but they will be working at the Ministry of Defense and they have earned their rank in the military.
So who trained these gutsy Afghan women? A Louis Gossett Jr.--like Drill Instructor (“Only two things come from the Kashmir Valley….”), perhaps Arlee Ermee “The Gunney” whipped them into shape and made them lean, mean fighting machines?
Nope. They were trained by our very own U.S. Army Capt. Janis Lullen and Army First Sergeant Kristin J. Norton. Not single handedly of course, there were NATO folks and support staff and whatnot but it does my FEMCOM heart proud to know my sisters in combat boots were a part of changing history in a country where women are so brutally demeaned and minimized.
I’ve had the distinct honor of meeting and talking with many WWII female vets and I can imagine these Afghan ladies are about to embark on a similar experience. Just as our American trailblazers withstood harassment, danger, and being marginalized by their male peers, I fear these Afghan officers will have to withstand the same and perhaps even worse. Acid attacks, stoning, kidnapping…things that we hear about on the news and shake our heads are a real threat for them. But in spite of the danger they have set the rolling stone in motion. They may be limited to secretarial duties or logistics right now but someday they will be allowed to be pilots or tank drivers or (gasp!) leaders.
And while there are still some maggots in the service who would like to see American G.I. Jane’s barefoot and pregnant and nowhere near their Ward Room, there are so many more service men for whom women in the military is not even an issue today. I can only hope eventually Afghan men will see the proficiency, the professionalism and the added value these women bring to their service and it will pave the way for a stronger Afghan force; one in which men and women work together.
The beauty of the military in any country is that it is the great equalizer. Serving with someone is a bond and that bond supersedes race, gender, and religion. At least that is how it’s supposed to work. Sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn’t. But more often than not we get it right. I hope the same will happen in the ANA. And if it doesn’t, I know DoD has some incredibly boring GMT training videos they could send over.
So my salute today goes to those 29 women who just made history in their country. And to Capt. Lullen and 1st Sgt. Norton for expanding the FEMCOM reach into places we never thought it would touch. Well done ladies. You make us proud.
p.s. to the Major with USAA—thanks for your support! Good to know FEMCOM has one fan J
This week an amazing thing happened, the Afghan National Army (ANA) went co-ed (http://www.military.com/news/article/first-female-afghan-army-officers-graduate.html?col=1186032310810). 29 females graduated Officer Candidate School and will now be serving side by side with their male peers….well not really side by side since they won’t be in combat, but they will be working at the Ministry of Defense and they have earned their rank in the military.
So who trained these gutsy Afghan women? A Louis Gossett Jr.--like Drill Instructor (“Only two things come from the Kashmir Valley….”), perhaps Arlee Ermee “The Gunney” whipped them into shape and made them lean, mean fighting machines?
Nope. They were trained by our very own U.S. Army Capt. Janis Lullen and Army First Sergeant Kristin Norton. Not single handedly of course, there were NATO folks and support staff and whatnot but it does my FEMCOM heart proud to know my sisters in combat boots were a part of changing history in a country where women are so brutally demeaned and minimized.
I’ve had the distinct honor of meeting and talking with many WWII female vets and I can imagine these Afghan ladies are about to embark on a similar experience. Just as our American trailblazers withstood harassment, danger, and being marginalized by their male peers, I fear these Afghan officers will have to withstand the same and perhaps even worse. Acid attacks, stoning, kidnapping…things that we hear about on the news and shake our heads are a real threat for them. But in spite of the danger they have set the rolling stone in motion. They may be limited to secretarial duties or logistics right now but someday they will be allowed to be pilots or tank drivers or (gasp!) leaders.
And while there are still some maggots in the service who would like to see American G.I. Jane’s barefoot and pregnant and nowhere near their Ward Room, there are so many more service men for whom women in the military is not even an issue today. I can only hope eventually Afghan men will see the proficiency, the professionalism and the added value these women bring to their service and it will pave the way for a stronger Afghan force; one in which men and women work together.
The beauty of the military in any country is that it is the great equalizer. Serving with someone is a bond and that bond supersedes race, gender, and religion. At least that is how it’s supposed to work. Sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn’t. But more often than not we get it right. I hope the same will happen in the ANA. And if it doesn’t, I know DoD has some incredibly boring GMT training videos they could send over.
So my salute today goes to those 29 women who just made history in their country. And to Capt. Lullen and 1st Sgt. Norton for expanding the FEMCOM reach into places we never thought it would touch. Well done ladies. You make us proud.
p.s. to the Major with USAA—thanks for your support! Good to know FEMCOM has one fan J