As a woman, I can say I'm used to the idea that at certain points of my life sexism and discrimination reared their ugly heads, even when I wasn't aware of them. But I never imagined that it could be this bad for women who enlisted in the military, and so recently, in 2008. This is heartbreaking to hear. I've had women friends who became Marine officers. They CHOSE the Marines after graduation from a US service academy and I knew they had their challenges, but this, is really too much to digest. Even if The Basic School (for Officers) wasn't as raunchy or awful, the fact that enlisted women had/have to endure this, makes me think that TBS was also pretty bad.
18
The Marines are tough. The Marines are brave. We rely on them on the land and the sea. Any Marine, man or woman, must live up to the same standards set by the Marine Corps. Men and woman should train together and meet the same standards. By having woman train separately, the Corps is setting woman up for ridicule. Separate but equal is not equal.
17
I went through recruit training in the early 60s in San Diego. Our platoon commander once mentioned female Marines as way to introduce us to them. He noted the derisive term of BAM, but after that introduction, that term was never used again nor were any other derogatory terms for female Marines used. However.... Other derogatory female terms were used from time to time to describe one or more recruits' actions: "That was just great ladies" or something similar, but rarely terms with sexual overtones. Those actions as described in the article were not heard. That said, I think it's a bad idea to
integrate sexes in recruit training. It is a coming of age experience for young men, after all, who are, in general, a couple of years behind women anyway.
Let them train together in Infantry Training Regiment (ITR) after basic training.
integrate sexes in recruit training. It is a coming of age experience for young men, after all, who are, in general, a couple of years behind women anyway.
Let them train together in Infantry Training Regiment (ITR) after basic training.
20
I want to thank the author for publicly standing up for his female colleagues. I haven't served in the military, but have worked in some intensely male dominated jobs. My positive and negative experiences mirror exactly what the author discusses. It must be emphasized that good leadership from the top down that does not tolerate discrimination and emphasizes mutual respect is absolutely necessary. Just as horrible leadership enables and indeed encourages negative behavior.
110
I never cease to be amazed by progressives. Their solution to sexual assault on campus seems to be ... more mixed dorms. McCoy's cure for stalking and harassing women is to integrate recruit training.
How is placing more temptation in the way of young men supposed to make the Corps safer for women? In a court of law this might even be considered entrapment.
How is placing more temptation in the way of young men supposed to make the Corps safer for women? In a court of law this might even be considered entrapment.
21
Why single out the Marines? This type of activity is common throughout civilian society.
24
As a woman, it's sickening to read this and realize that the people who are supposed to be on the front lines of protecting my freedom don't actually care about it at all.
72
Please post the Marine Code. The 30,000's behavior is " a betrayal of our core values of honor, courage and commitment" as is the POTUS.
22
I don't know what the UCMJ says about this, but I hope that the theft of private information (email, photos, etc) is treated as theft by the Marine Corps, no different than stealing credit card numbers or money. And if Marines have photos in their computers of women of higher rank, could other charges be added? My point here is the theft and distribution should be treated harshly. I would imagine a male Marine who discovered someone was distributing photos of his children on the web would react strongly too.
40
If I remember correctly, the Marines are an organization to fight and kill our enemies. Women in combat are a hazard to our real troops. Let's start a different organization for women.
28
Really? Other branches of the U.S. armed services also have this duty. Women serve side by side with men in these branches. Yet these other don't seem to have the same problems that the Marine corps has.
49
more misogyny. This can only be countered by greatly increasing the % of women in the armed forces, especially in the officer corps. May it happen soon!
21
Never went through Paris Island myself, but I did see the movies.
My favorite was Full Metal Jacket.
What I don't understand is why the Marines think this boot camp makes for tough soldiers.
The Viet Cong, who were often women, beat the stuffing out of our tough US Marines all up and down the Mekong Delta. They never went through any Paris Island. They lived in tunnels underground with men who did not demean them and they were very good shots. They lived on a pocket full of rice and a little rat meat and they faded back into the jungle.
Our lean green killing machine was beaten to a pulp by these fragile women, most of whom weighed no more than 90 pounds soaking wet.
Semper Fi boys.
My favorite was Full Metal Jacket.
What I don't understand is why the Marines think this boot camp makes for tough soldiers.
The Viet Cong, who were often women, beat the stuffing out of our tough US Marines all up and down the Mekong Delta. They never went through any Paris Island. They lived in tunnels underground with men who did not demean them and they were very good shots. They lived on a pocket full of rice and a little rat meat and they faded back into the jungle.
Our lean green killing machine was beaten to a pulp by these fragile women, most of whom weighed no more than 90 pounds soaking wet.
Semper Fi boys.
65
Gee, I wonder what will happen if you put a lot of 17 and 18 year boys and girls together under intense pressure.
20
Your point is what?
16
Oh, my, Eric! So true. Boys will be boys. Tsk-tsk . . .
11
I spent four years in the Navy in the mid-1990s. Women were serving at higher numbers than ever before, and many of the older male sailors were skeptical about their presence. They complained about women getting pregnant and having to leave the ship and go on shore duty. They also complained about women not being able to handle the physical workloads expected of men. To be sure, there was some merit to these views. But these seasoned sailors were completely oblivious of the benefits that women brought to the Navy or, more accurately, the absence of certain kinds of problems that are associated with young men. Such as getting drunk and smashing a beer bottle over someone's head at the bar. Looking back at my service, a large part of my work entailed babysitting young men: making sure they come back to the ship by the curfew time, that they don't get a DUI, that they don't beat up their girlfriend, that they don't buy a new car on their E-1 salary, etc. The majority of young women had none of these problems. Their main difficulty was in coping with the persistent sexual advances of the male sailors, many of whom were married.
150
And it should be made an anthem that respect for one another includes all marines.
17
This opinion piece appears to do a good job identifying and supporting the primary reasons why, so to enact change and cultural improvement. Going forward, what certainly doesn't help, or makes it more challenging, is having a current Commander-In-Chief with history as an established misogynist sleaze. Make America Great Again Grand Poobah, the military's supreme leader, is a sexist pig, still; "I want women [WH staff] to dress like women."
40
Can we defund the Marines until they start acting like human beings instead of pigs? Sorry but this opinion piece was flabbergasting.
37
They are taught to be killers, not school marms.
19
I am a retired Naval Officer and this essay is terribly disturbing. The Marines to me always exemplified the highest standards of character. Condoning this behavior is cause for the Commandant to be fired and all senior officers in the training commands to be relieved and a new approach taken. This behavior must not be tolerated in the Corps. Courts Martials should be widely considered and anyone who has participated in these described behaviors or the on-line behaviors should be discharged forthwith. My last active duty station was as an Assistant to the Naval Inspector General. I'd be happy to return to active duty to participate in going after these disgraceful personnel.
79
This breaks my heart. My son serves in the USMC selflessly and with great personal sacrifice, dedication, and honor. He works harder and with longer hours,more responsibility, and stress, than any of his civilian peers or than he will ever have to again in his life. He is surrounded by many others who serve the same way. And I hate to see this scandal taint this great military institution. Because I want the Marines between me and the enemy. But truth be told I see many of these young men and women marry way too young, have children before they should and try to manage all these stressors with little family support or guidance. They divorce at a much higher rate than the civilian population and have ugly post divorce conflicts over children, money, sex ,and betrayal at levels they are ill-equipped to handle. Revenge porn is easy to fit into this dynamic. I don't condone this behavior. But are we really surprised?
19
I am not only shocked, but stunned at the level of misogyny displayed by 30,000 male marines. Your comment gives tacit approval to male marines' "revenge porn." If think that's appropriate, I imagine you don't have a problem with their wife/girlfriend beating either.
33
As someone who went through Basic training at Parris Island in the early 1980's, I never saw the boot camp behavior this author writes about. I never heard derogatory statements about female Marines. In my platoon we did have a wall of photos, but it wasn't called the "slut wall". It was just a collection of photos of wives and girlfriends and it was always treated respectfully. This is not to say there wasn't any sexism, but I never saw anything that approached what is being reported here.
15
Mr McCoy,
Thank you for writing this.
I served ten years in the US Army right after the Vietnam War ended and there was quite a lot of sexual harassment on a daily basis - harassment that existed from comments unfit for print here to sexual assault. It was not an easy way to live but I stayed because I was proud to serve my country. I stayed until I could not stand it any more. After watching The Invisible War recently I see that it has not changed.
However, I can say that 50-70% of my fellow soldiers were respectful, decent men who saw you as strictly a co-worker and not as some object to be insulted and assaulted. It doesn't seem like the Marines have even that which is horrible and made more so because the behavior is quite deliberate and taught by higher-ups. Perhaps your article will be of help in bringing about change. I can't say I am optimistic but I still hope so.
Thank you for writing this.
I served ten years in the US Army right after the Vietnam War ended and there was quite a lot of sexual harassment on a daily basis - harassment that existed from comments unfit for print here to sexual assault. It was not an easy way to live but I stayed because I was proud to serve my country. I stayed until I could not stand it any more. After watching The Invisible War recently I see that it has not changed.
However, I can say that 50-70% of my fellow soldiers were respectful, decent men who saw you as strictly a co-worker and not as some object to be insulted and assaulted. It doesn't seem like the Marines have even that which is horrible and made more so because the behavior is quite deliberate and taught by higher-ups. Perhaps your article will be of help in bringing about change. I can't say I am optimistic but I still hope so.
20
This makes me think we need to bring back the draft. Everybody's sons and daughters need to serve in the military or somewhere else so we don't have these forgotten hell holes of depravity.
32
Drafts in the US have never included women. There have been recent attempts to include women in the registration for service selection. But those measures have been stripped from legislation. And the Selective Service System now specifically refers to "male persons." But I would agree that if men are pressed into involuntary service, women should be included. The Pentagon under the Obama Administration certainly made great strides with integrating women in as many military positions as possible. And that now includes direct combat exposure. The Marine Corps is atypical in many respects, however. Not the least of which is their culture. They have resisted female integration at every opportunity. Thus, the attitude as described in this story.
10
NO WAY. I realize that this is a conversation between a lot of hyper-patriotic folk who believe that hawkish assault - be it of America's adversaries or of young adults' objects of sexual obsession - is "normal" and "appropriate" behavior; however, THE DRAFT WAS WRONG, for all Americans. Militarism is wrong generally: USA could be so much wealthier if we didn't maintain a massive hegemonic presence everywhere in the world. Patriotic servitude is a pretty sad notion in itself, an extension of personal support for USA's global control mechanisms; but at least it is voluntary. And at long last it is integrated between equal sexes. But a DRAFT IS INVOLUNTARY, and that is not right and not moral. (Taxes are not great, but they don't maim or kill you).
7
This isn't a movie.
5
There's a lot of peer pressure to be a misogynist in the Marines...and also plenty of pressure to be a certain kind of "Christian." Probably in the other branches too. Grow-up and clean up your act boys...and that's part of the problem here...we are talking about a huge percentage of Marines being in the 18-22 year old age demographic. Their brains are literally still growing/developing...one reason that they'll run straight toward and into hostile fire without hesitation when ordered to do so. And face it fellas...as boys/young men, you still have to learn the fact/reality of life that most women are smarter than most men. I do support the Marine brass however in thinking that it's really dumb to have mixed male and female infantry companies, not necessarily because women can't do the job, or even because of the misogyny, but again, because we are talking about a lot of teenagers here, with hormones coming out of their ears. How are 22 year old platoon commanders and 25 year old company commanders supposed to deal with that and maintain discipline when out in the field? It's asking too much, especially when in combat and trying to win battles/engagements and keep casualties to a minimum. Bring back the draft and start with the sons and daughters of members of Congress.
62
No reason these boys can't start "growing up" at 18. It's the world and it's not just their world. I hear your arguments and although I don't completely agree, I don't oppose a draft for both sexes with no exemptions beyond medical and religious, with those able to serve in an alternative capacity doing so.
10
You misread the article and missed the point. The writer stated that the other branches of the armed services fully integrate men and women, which has resulted in mutual cooperation and respect.
You state: "How are 22 year old platoon commanders and 25 year old company commanders supposed to deal with that and maintain discipline...?" That's easy. Higher-ups should lead by example, educate their troops, and punish offenders harshly. Too many officers explain away the behavior by saying, "boys will be boys", I thought your mission was to make MEN out of them.
You state: "How are 22 year old platoon commanders and 25 year old company commanders supposed to deal with that and maintain discipline...?" That's easy. Higher-ups should lead by example, educate their troops, and punish offenders harshly. Too many officers explain away the behavior by saying, "boys will be boys", I thought your mission was to make MEN out of them.
26
There should be no safer place in the world for a woman than in the U.S. military.
That it isn't so, based on this story and the seemingly never ending stories of women in the military being raped by others in the military, is depressing beyond belief.
That it isn't so, based on this story and the seemingly never ending stories of women in the military being raped by others in the military, is depressing beyond belief.
44
I served three years in the US Army and was repeatedly disrespected by a large minority of males in my unit, beginning in basic training, thru my military training, during PE, and while on base or in the field. The complete lack of respect (including sexual harassment, rape, and verbal assaults) towards female soldiers is the main reason I despised almost moment from my three years of service from early to mid 1990s.
110
I spent 4 years as a chaplain's assistant in the USAF during the same timeframe. I was told by an officer that I was taking food out of a young man's mouth by being in his place. Solidarity.
33
There are 30,000 Marines and veteran Marines in this invitation only group. There are approximately 200,000 active duty Marines. That's a pretty sad statistic.
31
Ah, statistics. Does this group also include legitimate content about Marines, or is it 100% sexist disrespect? Some Marines and ex Marines might have joined for that other content. What percent of the group are veteran Marines, and what size the pool of veteran Marines? Without answers to those questions, the statistics are meaningless.
7
Michael, it appears that for a very long time 100% of the 30,000 Marines in this group saw the degrading anti-female content and couldn't muster the courage to speak up against it. At best, we know that those 30,000 men are cowardly to an almost unbelievable degree.
35
I will never understand why the military is the only branch of government that wins almost unanimous admiration from the citizenry. What is essentially a volunteer government job that comes with almost a lifetime of government benefits in an organization that is the poster boy for waste, fraud and abuse (half of all federal civilian workers are employed by the Pentagon and VA) would be reviled and attacked if it involved civilian government workers.
Maybe it is time to look into privatizing the armed forces. Let's start with the VA. You know, like the current ACA replacement plan, let's promote empowerment, freedom and individual choice in this portion of government run health care.
Maybe it is time to look into privatizing the armed forces. Let's start with the VA. You know, like the current ACA replacement plan, let's promote empowerment, freedom and individual choice in this portion of government run health care.
13
I don't think you will be able to pay mercenaries as cheaply as you do our current armed forces.
6
Because the vast majority of Americans have decided that they would rather leave their protection up to someone else than be responsible for it themselves. So few Americans have served that they really have no idea what goes on in the services. As a military retiree I will say that the "lifetime benefits" are usually only for those who have done 20+ or have been medically retired/discharged. Also, the VA is not part of the military or the Department of Defense, and if you have been keeping up with the news, isn't exactly the greatest of benefits.
6
"I will never understand why the military is the only branch of government that wins almost unanimous admiration from the citizenry."
Join up and go into combat. You'll understand why.
Join up and go into combat. You'll understand why.
22
Marines are creeps. Navy EOD are creeps. Trump brags about grabbing women, not his wife, by the p**sy. Let's stop heroizing military creeps. All the warrior propaganda crap.
20
First of all thank you for your service to our country and now here in print. I am not at all surprised. The Marines like other groups are a microcosm of our society. It would be nice to blame our current administration but unfortunately this has gone on much longer than January 2017. As with most things, unless brave bystanders get off the sidelines and step forward, not much will change. Silence is agreement. We remain silent out of fear and we are afraid for many different reasons. The bystander can change the world, no matter what group they stand in.
9
The few, the proud, the aholes.. sorry guys but there is no excuse for what you did. None. There is no honor or dignity in it. It is shameful and unbelievably stupid. On Facebook !?!??! I guess the archetype dumb Marine is a truism.
21
If the problem is as pervasive as you suggest, then it goes well beyond the Marines who engaged in the improper conduct. As usual, those being investigated are the grunts with dirty hands. That will not do. The problem seems to go much higher than that.
23
As usual the "sharp point of the spear" is being attacked by those who think that it shouldn't be so sharp, and that belonging to any organization, no matter what its purpose, is a Constitutional Right.
Wrong on both counts. The Marines should be what they need to be to do their job. If that means men only, so be it. If it means men trained to kill without pity, so be it. Complaints about "thug mentality" should be kicked aside. The object of the Marine Corps is to destroy the enemy. When people with AK-47's come down your street, you may regret turning the Corps into powder puffs in the name of equality and fraternity.
Wrong on both counts. The Marines should be what they need to be to do their job. If that means men only, so be it. If it means men trained to kill without pity, so be it. Complaints about "thug mentality" should be kicked aside. The object of the Marine Corps is to destroy the enemy. When people with AK-47's come down your street, you may regret turning the Corps into powder puffs in the name of equality and fraternity.
18
Double speak is pointless.
1
Daedalus, perhaps you should read the comments under the tab NYT Picks. No one is suggesting Marines be turned into power puffs. What they are saying is that ALL Marines deserve to be treated with respect. Women who serve their country deserve the same respect that the men receive - especially from their fellow soldiers, no matter the service.
"Men (who are) trained to kill without pity" are not men that I want serving and defending my country. When we are trained and browbeaten to lose our humanity, then we are nothing more than baseless killers. Soldiers who keep their humanity make far better soldiers - yes, even for the job of killing which is part of any soldier's job - and return far more adjusted to integrate back into society. I served my country for ten years. I've seen both kinds of soldiers - both while in the military and at the veteran's hospitals now. It is hauntingly clear what the current type of training that the Marines use - and that you espouse - creates. We can and should do much better than that.
"Men (who are) trained to kill without pity" are not men that I want serving and defending my country. When we are trained and browbeaten to lose our humanity, then we are nothing more than baseless killers. Soldiers who keep their humanity make far better soldiers - yes, even for the job of killing which is part of any soldier's job - and return far more adjusted to integrate back into society. I served my country for ten years. I've seen both kinds of soldiers - both while in the military and at the veteran's hospitals now. It is hauntingly clear what the current type of training that the Marines use - and that you espouse - creates. We can and should do much better than that.
13
Except the way things are devolving fast they are the ones likely to be coming down the street.
5
What these Marines have to remember is that some day their life may depend on the woman whose picture they circulated, and that will happen when the combat units are fully integrated.
31
Now I understand why my papaw who was career airforce encouraged his daughters to go into the airforce if they wanted to do military service. He never felt that women were inferior to men when it comes to serving your country. The only negative thing I heard him say about the women's rights movement was that as a southern gentleman he struggled with not opening doors or offering to help carry something heavy.
Just like integration of the armed services moved the military ahead of the civilian world with regards to race relations, integration of the sexes would put the Marines on the same page as the rest of the military. Going through basic training together would dispell the myth that women are inferior. That argument goes out the window when the men see that the women go through the same training and are in fact Marines too.
The Marines are going to have to work long and hard to repair their reputation.
Just like integration of the armed services moved the military ahead of the civilian world with regards to race relations, integration of the sexes would put the Marines on the same page as the rest of the military. Going through basic training together would dispell the myth that women are inferior. That argument goes out the window when the men see that the women go through the same training and are in fact Marines too.
The Marines are going to have to work long and hard to repair their reputation.
16
Women: the group we're encouraged to hate
24
Mr. McCoy, thank you for speaking out and telling the truth. Each scandal that emerges about the rot within and leadership failures in multiple arenas (corporate world, government, military, professional/college sports, etc.) is a depressing reminder of how much work there is to do. But nothing can be done if the leadership failures and attendant common practices aren't brought to light. Please keep bringing them to light and holding feet to the fire. Articles like yours give me hope.
7
This article tells me that the marines are a disgrace to our country. They should be pulled out of the embassies and replaced by ANY of the other armed services until they earn the right to represent our country around the world.
11
Sergeant McCoy should read the book about when America was great. He'd soon learn that women were relegated to the kitchen and the latrine, nowhere else, except perhaps running their clothing lines at department stores, arranged by their husbands, of course.
2
The writer is very brave. And he led me to check out Common Defense. So ... thanks.
30
Considering our biggest threats are no longer physical (think Cybersecurity & personal services such as the Internet, power, & water), it seems the thug mentality in our military (& country) would change. These threats must be met with brains, not brawn. Yet sexism persists bc those with brawn are threatened by those with brains. Just check your local high school - the jock remains the hero & the math star labeled a geek. Used to be that changed once we left high school, too bad that's no longer the case. Just check Trump's tweets ... just like high school bullying.
30
You'd think differently if there really was a shooting war.
3
Mostly in a shooting war, we use things like missiles and high capacity armament. So does the rest of the world.
11
Daedalus, as a 14 year Air Force and Army veteran, I want to explain to you that brains save lives and hapless displays of brawn, when not combined with brains, gets servicemembers killed.
15
Thank you for this troubling but needed essay. And thank you for your honorable service.
40
Bring back the Draft. It'll raise the IQ and decrease the testosterone. Not to mention the effect on chicken hawks.
19
Good article Mr McCoy and I would like to add that change must also first come from the top and sadly in this case that means the Commander in Chief @potus
20
Such Marines are dishonorable gender bigots and hypocrites who tout the Marine Corps Hymn and completely discredit the Corps and the words "First to fight for right and freedom/and to keep our honor clean." The postings and subscriptions prove just the opposite. They denigrate women of ability out of a weak-minded illusory need to assert self-defined superiority. And they do not keep their honor clean. What honor is there in those actions? In such actions as those, they appear more pathetic, cowardly and fearful of women's abilities and strengths, weak in character, feeble in strategic thinking skills, lacking in the capacity for keen vision of the new world and future in thinking only their physical skills are needed, limited in intellect.
27
There is not a woman in America who could last a series of downs in an NFL game without leaving the field on a stretcher. Yet we pretend that she should suit up, fix bayonet, and charge into a trench. This is no knock at women. Men are bigger, stronger, and more aggressive than women. To deny this is to run with the flat earth crowd, and climate change deniers. It's irrelevant that Serena Williams could kick Pee Wee Herman's ass. That's the exception, we talk about the rule. Nevertheless, women are no less intelligent, brave , or patriotic than men. They should serve, and serve where their aptitude is appropriate. Most women have brothers, and expect respect from their brothers. If a guy can't handle that, he should think about putting in for an early discharge. General, not honorable. I was in the army, and had 2 brothers in the Marines. I think Marines are descended from Knights, Knights in shining armor, with a code of chivalry. If you can't meet that, then get your ass out of the Corps. Semper Bye.
12
"There is not a woman in America who could last a series of downs in an NFL game without leaving the field on a stretcher." Just because you write it down does not make it so .... Even your follow on sentences refute your claim. And no Marines are not descended from knights. They are real men who choose to defend our country. War is ugly and it needs to be viewed as such. Real warriors that have been through battle make it clear that it is the worse thing imaginable so do NOT glorify it. But you have managed to show us very clearly one of the problems.
11
You speak of Marines as a special breed, yet take an absurdly general argument about strength and say this is about the rule, not the exception. There are a great many women in America who would last longer in an NFL huddle or in a trench than I would, and many other men besides. Why eliminate a whole class of talented, dedicated people just because the average sprint time of 145 million of them is slower? Ridiculous.
18
My father must be rolling in his grave. A proud Marine through and through, he spent four years fighting in the Pacific during WWll, and came back silent about his experiences, declining forever to talk about them. He was a so-called man's man his entire life, rugged, strong, outdoorsy, intelligent and competent in more ways the letter limit here allows me to list. I never in my life heard him denigrate women, speak sexually about them, or talk nastily about anyone, frankly. For fifty years my mom still called him terrible names for (justifiably) divorcing her; never did he utter a single negative word about her to us. His second wife also told me also he'd never bad-mouthed Mom. He said being a Marine is for life, and that his Marine code demanded he be honorable. What in heaven's name has happened to that code?
238
I guess that was just his marine code. Your father was an honorable man, these guys are not. Their Marine code is something entirely different.
9
Thank you, Alexander McCoy. It's not easy to face up to, but we have to address not just this but also the underlying hatred of women across our culture. There is no other word that explains such vile behavior. And we have to confront the haters, somehow. Perhaps we need truth-and-reconciliation commissions, as South Africa convened after apartheid was abolished.
47
Gross, but is there any more male dominated institution than the Marines? And by the way does everything in society need to be gender neutral? Are there any places left where it is ok to be exclusively male or female? Can we just accept that there are differences between the sexes? Maybe this is the consequence of social engineering run amok.
7
Of course having all male and all female spaces is an important option. But the Marines has a special problem with assault. What would you suggest is done to solve the problem, instead of the one being proposed (and has already been shown effective and even beneficial to the other military branches)?
3
So women should not serve in the military? Or in the workforce? Maybe they should stay in the kitchen? Maybe they should only go out in public with their husbands. Sounds like you would like Radical Shariah law.
15
I think out of the four services the Corp is only for a few. For females Air Force is number one they make excellent pilots great as cyber warfare personnel can sit in a Utah trailer watch that surveillance screen for hours to a fire the drone. Next Navy plenty of good jobs with communications, sonar navigation of a vessel and gun fire control. U.S. Army down the ladder but, logistics, intelligence gathering, communications etc. I was in the draft years only the Army Drafted the rest of the services were volunteers. At the induction center the smallest line was for the Marines. You can be a patriot and serve in many vital fields not involving low crawling with a bayonet between your teeth.
7
Warning to all Parents: Do not let your daughter enlist in any armed services.
They will most likely encounter more hostility and sexual abuse from within their own ranks than from the enemy.
Then the male perpetrators get a little slap on the wrist. Recall Tailhook anyone?
Sexual misconduct is hardly ever addressed or prosecuted in the military.
And they know it.
They will most likely encounter more hostility and sexual abuse from within their own ranks than from the enemy.
Then the male perpetrators get a little slap on the wrist. Recall Tailhook anyone?
Sexual misconduct is hardly ever addressed or prosecuted in the military.
And they know it.
54
Let daughters serve but prepare them to be strong for what they may encounter, and this is true in colleges and universities as well. There is a robust system in all the Services for reporting sexual harassment and assault which is being used more and more, successfully by victims.
5
The Marine commander was the only one of the joint chiefs to reject the notion of women in active roles in the military. I guess his command has figured out how to keep women out of the Marines. Because let's face it, this stuff comes from the top. Maybe the answer is having women at the top of the chain of command. I guarantee they wouldn't treat men this badly.
10
I had to endure my share of discrimination in the USAF, but I will not tell my daughter not to enlist if her heart wants to go that direction. It has to be the right fit and choice for the woman, and she can gain so much like I did with my career.
5
If I understand well, the values of honor and courage are an hoax from the start ... lame and cowardness are institutionalized ... and please stop fraud us with the marketing ... the proud and the few ... lies, lies, lies and camouflage ... it's sad, so sad
9
Lest anyone think Mr. McCoy’s portrayal of Marine recruit training only directs their long-standing tradition of embarrassment, harassment and humiliation just for female recruits I recommend watching Lee Ermey’s portrayal of a Drill Instructor in the movie “Full Metal Jacket”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3j3_iPskjxk
Clearly sexual assault, stalking and other like activities have no place in the Marine Corps and offenders should be held accountable, but make no mistake the Marines “Don’t Promise You a Rose Garden” and the crucible to be endured on the road to becoming a Marine is now and always has been tough – May it always be so
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3j3_iPskjxk
Clearly sexual assault, stalking and other like activities have no place in the Marine Corps and offenders should be held accountable, but make no mistake the Marines “Don’t Promise You a Rose Garden” and the crucible to be endured on the road to becoming a Marine is now and always has been tough – May it always be so
2
adolescent creep bullies. Good for cannon fodder.
Maturin25
“People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf”
“People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf”
3
Great article. But this Marine situation is just the tip of an iceberg that points to a deeper fact about men and their need to put down women. Why? It runs through every aspect of American life...but usually much more subtle than how it's revealed in the Marines. World-wide misogyny will never be addressed until we examine this crucially painful question: What is it about men -- and how they secure feeling masculine -- that is dependent upon demeaning women?
123
I can explain it in a nutshell. Men's sexualty is devalued vs. women's. To put it another way, women can find willing partners far more easily than men can. The less desirable men know this and grow to resent it. That resentment translates into either overt or covert action.
6
Michael: I really appreciate the honesty of your reply. I don't think it's accurate in the particulars, but it does point to the sad truth behind the all-too-common adversarial and defensive relations between the sexes. We human beings don't properly value ourselves, or others. The "less desirable" men--or women--ARE desirable if they know their own value. But if they believe the false standards of the culture, that will be hard to do.
8
Am I misreading your comment Michael, or are you placing the blame for hatred of women on women themselves for not being willing partners?
16
Marines culture contributes to losing wars. Wars are won by being victorious, not just by military force. Over and over the U.S. won the 'battle' but lost the war because we didn't win the hearts and minds of the people. We relied on 'schlock and awe' rather than winning the vote of the people. As a result, Marines contributed to losing the hearts and minds of the people.
7
The Marines' mission is to win the battles, which they do exceedingly well. It's up to the state department, the diplomats, and the politicians to win the aftermath. They fail at their mission far too often, and the Marines have to bail them out once again.
10
No, the Marines' mission is to be a part of a team that includes those others. The others don't have a choice--a lot of their work involves trying to play a weak hand well. If the Marines argued for more alternative approaches, I'd be impressed.
4
Thank you for this article. I am grateful you chose to speak out about the pervasive bias toward women in the Marines. It's more than time to bring this out into the open.
59
First of all Marines are worthy of respect male or female for their service to our country. I think of my father who won a bronze star silver star during WW 2. I know he witnessed atrocities and was called on to do things unthinkable in our everyday situations.
marine training is designed to change your perceptions of the world and requires that a Marine become almost a person a part. At the same time modern warfare requires a special degree of humanity and understanding of volatile situations. The macho ideal of male camaraderie is changing with difficulty. On the one hand soldiers are taught to kill and on the other they are taught to respect everyone honorably.
This is not to excuse the abuse of women or anyone under any circumstances, but the fact that our current Commander in Chief is an admitted misogynist does not help this transition. The training of soldiers must begin at the top with a clear message. Without this there is only confusion and the disrespect of people will continue to the detriment of the military and our country.
marine training is designed to change your perceptions of the world and requires that a Marine become almost a person a part. At the same time modern warfare requires a special degree of humanity and understanding of volatile situations. The macho ideal of male camaraderie is changing with difficulty. On the one hand soldiers are taught to kill and on the other they are taught to respect everyone honorably.
This is not to excuse the abuse of women or anyone under any circumstances, but the fact that our current Commander in Chief is an admitted misogynist does not help this transition. The training of soldiers must begin at the top with a clear message. Without this there is only confusion and the disrespect of people will continue to the detriment of the military and our country.
10
This embarrassing debacle our Corps has found itself in, hurts me to my core! I served with female Marines back in the mid-70s and never disrespected them as I have read recently. SHAME on every Marine NCO, SNCO and Officer that allowed this to happen! Your inabilty to lead and counsel your Marines had led to this. There is NO ROOM in OUR Corps for this behavior! It's time to get off your butts and fix this and fast! We as a Corps are better than this! Leaders of Marines.....Make this happen!! Semper Fi!
104
This kind of behavior--from revenge porn to increased raunchiness in general--is pervasive in society and has become ever more so thanks to the internet and social media. I suspect these scandals hit the Marine Corps more frequently than other branches because of the nexus of Corps culture and broader societal trends, not just the Corps itself. In fact, the increased raunchiness in the broader culture may force Marines to behave even worse so they may retain their street cred in that area. (The nerds on 4chan obtain and spread nudes, dox people, etc.; can't let those guys get ahead, right?)
Why do men choose the Marines instead of the Army? Is there not a message and culture of hyper-masculinity that is promoted both to foster camaraderie and attract recruits? Do Marines, especially, feel that the presence of women undermines the very masculinity they seek to project? I'm not sure how you change the culture but keep these features of it. Whatever culture change takes place must come from within. Change forced from without will be met with even more resistance.
There is an opportunity here. A chance for the Marine Corps to be absolutely the best. Better than other branches, and better than corporate America. The best at weeding this stuff out; the best at integrating and protecting their female colleagues; at exploiting their strengths and learning from them. They just have to find a Marine Corps way to do it.
Why do men choose the Marines instead of the Army? Is there not a message and culture of hyper-masculinity that is promoted both to foster camaraderie and attract recruits? Do Marines, especially, feel that the presence of women undermines the very masculinity they seek to project? I'm not sure how you change the culture but keep these features of it. Whatever culture change takes place must come from within. Change forced from without will be met with even more resistance.
There is an opportunity here. A chance for the Marine Corps to be absolutely the best. Better than other branches, and better than corporate America. The best at weeding this stuff out; the best at integrating and protecting their female colleagues; at exploiting their strengths and learning from them. They just have to find a Marine Corps way to do it.
14
In every culture, in every society, throughout the ages, women have been marginalized & treated as the unfit lower class b/c of their sex. The fact that this is still the case in America is despicable. It does not surprise me that this discrimination is so prevalent in the Marine Corps where the members pride themselves as the super macho of men.
The Marine Corps needs to fully integrate women into all levels of the Corps for this disgusting, discriminating, & unfair behavior to stop.
The Marine Corps needs to fully integrate women into all levels of the Corps for this disgusting, discriminating, & unfair behavior to stop.
12
When I was in boot camp, they fostered contempt for anyone who wasn't a Marine (and you aren't a Marine until you've finished boot camp). The Navy were called squids. "See those slimy squids over there... " Your (ex) was referred to as Suzie (can't say last name here) and her new boyfriend, Jody Scrotum. All civilians were "slimy", and female Marines were BAMs (Broad ... Marines). One hopes that since they were Marines, the staff would cut them a break.
I also hoped that they could move beyond all that baloney and concentrate on the task at hand, but apparently 40 years later, they have not.
FYI: It's still the Marine Corps, and Saturday is still Infantry Day - 0311 OohRah!
I also hoped that they could move beyond all that baloney and concentrate on the task at hand, but apparently 40 years later, they have not.
FYI: It's still the Marine Corps, and Saturday is still Infantry Day - 0311 OohRah!
35
"Yes, how many times can a man turn his head
Pretending he just doesn't see?"
Thank you Alexander McCoy for seeing and saying something
Pretending he just doesn't see?"
Thank you Alexander McCoy for seeing and saying something
49
The purpose of the marines is to win wars. While some of the alleged behavior is over the top and should be dealt with by commanders, the liberal priorities of female integration and social experimentation, have little positive impact on the mission.
8
It's all a liberal plot, huh? What would be the reason to not use more than 50% of the population to defend your country, which I would say is the mission, rather than winning wars. What are they supposed to do when a war isn't going on (rare, I know)?
15
So Uninformed.
The volunteer military needs men and women to fulfill its mission.
Maybe you want to return to the draft? Get your draft card ready.
The volunteer military needs men and women to fulfill its mission.
Maybe you want to return to the draft? Get your draft card ready.
9
But the author is saying it is also being perpetrated by commanders, over both men and women. When you can't behave yourselves, and it's been previously shown effective in other branches to combine training for men and women, well, do you have a better solution that's also effective?
2
Mr. McCoy, thank you for this article. I am glad and proud that there were men like you in our armed forces.
Can I ask that you be even braver and cooperate with lawyers and name those men who dishonored the service by behaving in the manner you described?
Can I ask that you be even braver and cooperate with lawyers and name those men who dishonored the service by behaving in the manner you described?
19
Your article is a sad reminder that where many people are concerned, some form of discrimination or prejudice is the norm, rather than the exception. Two year olds do not exhibit prejudice based on skin color, religion, gender or national origin. We adults who have young children must ask ourselves why and when do these two year olds become discriminators.
6
This article is shocking. I'll never understand why men are so threatened by women that they feel the need to threaten, degrade, punish, humiliate, blackmail, and physically harm (or kill) them. When this behavior comes from a fellow service member, it should be considered an act of treason against the United States of America, just as it would if a Marine deliberately plotted to put a male Marine's life in danger.
91
It's difficult to accept this as an exclusively Marine culture problem. Ivy League sports teams abound with this sort of behavior, too, as we've been told in lurid detail in the pages of the NY Times. Hollywood for its part eagerly indulges and encourages this sort of behavior as Emma Watson and the Oscars' red carpet parade have recently demonstrated... for all to see.
4
I haven't seen any mention of other websites organized to humiliate and expose co-workers who are women. Please enlighten us and we'll give you a pass from mansplaining.
6
when will the marines remove the CO's? Kick those Commanding Officers out after a stripping them of rank and benefits and you'll see a change in less than a year
20
Let us get one thing straight here, Marine men: we women taxpayers pay your salary, you work for us. I consider this type of attitude not only repugnant, but a national security risk.
When we send our armed forces abroad, we expect you to represent our core American values. Shaming our country in this way causes other countries to look down on us with the utter contempt that this behavior deserves.
In addition, success requires teamwork - how can we possibly expect your female Marine colleagues to work with such contemptible and weak team mates?
In addition to an immediate cessation of this type of attitude and behavior, I expect a full written apology from every Marine who subscribed to these groups. Each one should have their pay docked and the money contributed to the appropriate organizations which support victims of violence against women.
When we send our armed forces abroad, we expect you to represent our core American values. Shaming our country in this way causes other countries to look down on us with the utter contempt that this behavior deserves.
In addition, success requires teamwork - how can we possibly expect your female Marine colleagues to work with such contemptible and weak team mates?
In addition to an immediate cessation of this type of attitude and behavior, I expect a full written apology from every Marine who subscribed to these groups. Each one should have their pay docked and the money contributed to the appropriate organizations which support victims of violence against women.
284
Who raised these men behaving so badly? Were they brain washed or overwhelmed by group think, or did they not have any better moral values to begin with?
12
Our culture raised them. The hyper-masculine environment of the Marines, isolated from their mothers and sisters and women with any power in general, is ripe soil for it to grow in.
4
Startling honesty. Thank you, Alexander McCoy, this piece of work took a lot of courage as it reveals the nature and extremes of bigotry amongs people who ought to know better than to reduce each other to pawns in a false world owned by men.
26
This reminds me of the Marine website (can't remember the name) that posted and gloried in horrific photos of dead Iraqis gunned down at checkpoints, in neighborhoods, and in other places. Different subjects, same twisted mindset.
32
Mr. McCoy,
Yes! Exactly.
Thank you.
Yes! Exactly.
Thank you.
6
disrespectful to our women in service.
6
The problem here is well defined: a culture of machismo that denigrates women. This is particularly sharp in the combat units (exclusively male until very recently). As a 20-year vet, I routinely saw the military's two faced attitude toward this culture. Official proclamation derides this behavior, but participation in the hooliganism and womanizing were often rewarded when evaluations came around. Ambitious opportunists are not unaware of this reality. Neither are they unaware of what reporting about his behavior can lead to: retaliation and the end of one's career. In 2012, it took a credible rape allegation to bring down BG Sinclair. The whistleblowers who reported on his decade long descent into sexual corruption and manipulation remain punished. That stories like this keep popping up is not a surprise to anyone familiar with the culture combat formations engender about the role of women, the satisfaction of machismo's sex drive. Until the military gets serious about holding people to the standards it claims rather than rewarding adherence to an unacceptable culture, these problems will continue.
29
One in four women in the US military are sexually assaulted and little is being done. These victims are our brave sisters, nieces and cousins, and they need our help. All of us must acknowledge their bravery and sacrifice or none of us can claim to be worthy Americans. We must standup for our women in the military, now.
60
There remains one fairly obvious solution that women have to problems such as appearing on Marine Corps. Facebook pages: Do not send nude photos of yourself over the Internet!
6
Nudes are not the only photos posted. Some Marines, without the women knowing it, take photos of them bent over while packing gear. They post these photos of fully clothes women taken in a bent over position and men post comments about how they'd like to rape them. Another Marine found a photo of herself fully clothed but followed with post from men who said they'd like to rape her, beat her, etc.
Don't blame it on the women. Blame it on the culture that raises some men to be this way.
Don't blame it on the women. Blame it on the culture that raises some men to be this way.
19
Sure, that'll solve it. Victim blaming always works when no one is serious about finding a real solution to a real problem. And I'm especially appreciative of your sisterly stance on International Women's Day/sarcasm.
21
i must say, sitting here on International Women's Day, that your comment didn't just give me pause- I shook my head so long and hard my neck cried for help. I put down my coffee and used my hand to pick up my dropped jaw.
Let me make sure I have this right. Your takeaway from this cogent, impassioned description of the systematic, nay heartbreaking denigration of the women who have courageously volunteered to serve as Marines by their commanding officers; of the utter disrespect exhibited by Marines and their superiors for the women who foolishly fell into and out of a relationship with a Marine; of the absolutely systemic, sexist behavior of the Marine Corps is a (gold standard) "Blame the Victim"?
Did nothing about the behavior of those men give you pause? Make you wonder what went wrong in their bringing up that they would treat any woman this way, would even stand by when someone else did so? Made you simply wonder who in the hell do they think they are? Not even an iota of outrage Anne Sheppard?
Memo to self: figure out why this is so much more difficult to read coming from a woman?
Let me make sure I have this right. Your takeaway from this cogent, impassioned description of the systematic, nay heartbreaking denigration of the women who have courageously volunteered to serve as Marines by their commanding officers; of the utter disrespect exhibited by Marines and their superiors for the women who foolishly fell into and out of a relationship with a Marine; of the absolutely systemic, sexist behavior of the Marine Corps is a (gold standard) "Blame the Victim"?
Did nothing about the behavior of those men give you pause? Make you wonder what went wrong in their bringing up that they would treat any woman this way, would even stand by when someone else did so? Made you simply wonder who in the hell do they think they are? Not even an iota of outrage Anne Sheppard?
Memo to self: figure out why this is so much more difficult to read coming from a woman?
25
When I read stories such as these over the years I know why I never joined the military. It has nothing to do with patriotism or lack thereof just that my character and ethics would not fit in well with an organizaiton that seems to use denegration of individuals as a means of training combat. I don't see the connection and never did.
16
That's absolutely ignorant. To imply millions and millions of veterans have low character and ethics is unimaginable.
3
Rationalization is a wonderful thing, it can be used to justify pretty much every choice you make.
I served and proudly with amazing and courageous Marines, who did so knowing it was to defend some like you who looked down on us. Well, maybe it was more for the others who cared about us and a country we love. Of course the implicit denigration you made of everyone who has served in the military seems somehow ironic.
More seriously, there have been and will always be issues with training human beings to kill other human beings. At best it is a rather perilous path for anyone to take and more than a few times individuals and entire institutions have erred in disastrous and tragic ways. As long as it is necessary, training for the military should be done as professionally and thoroughly as possible, understanding the cost of doing it "cheap and easy" results in what you read about here.
I served and proudly with amazing and courageous Marines, who did so knowing it was to defend some like you who looked down on us. Well, maybe it was more for the others who cared about us and a country we love. Of course the implicit denigration you made of everyone who has served in the military seems somehow ironic.
More seriously, there have been and will always be issues with training human beings to kill other human beings. At best it is a rather perilous path for anyone to take and more than a few times individuals and entire institutions have erred in disastrous and tragic ways. As long as it is necessary, training for the military should be done as professionally and thoroughly as possible, understanding the cost of doing it "cheap and easy" results in what you read about here.
5
If the idea of humiliating a trainee is to break him down, so all trainees have the commonality of hating the drill instructor, thereby creating unit cohesion, their method doesn't actually work. Instead there will be male cohesion and female cohesion but it would be a disaster otherwise and surely in wartime when the unit regroup together, disliking and distrusting each other and unable to work or survive together.
You can change laws but laws don't change hearts. War is pure Hell on Earth and perhaps they need to amp up the phony male bravado to fever pitch to face it. Though not in other countries already past this 'good old boy' issue.
You can change laws but laws don't change hearts. War is pure Hell on Earth and perhaps they need to amp up the phony male bravado to fever pitch to face it. Though not in other countries already past this 'good old boy' issue.
2
These "marines" should be court-marshaled and dishonorably discharged. What a disgrace to the armed services. What a disgrace to their gender. What a disgrace to their country.
60
Just the same behavior that has been exibited b!y our president
77
Kudos to the writer for exposing the culture of contempt for women in the Marines, but this should not be a huge surprise to anyone. It should, though, be YET ONE MORE piece of evidence for how women are viewed in our country, and why domestic violence continues, and why women are still paid less, and why women are going on strike today to advocate for the very basic right to be seen and treated as a full human being. This fb page of images of nude women is repulsive, and revealing, and typical of patterns of behavior, and esp. indicative of a culture of hateful masculinity that demeans women as a matter of course, and indeed as part of the course. Please, everyone, protest this loudly; don't let the military get away with it just because they are the military; and hold the commander in chief of our armed forces responsible, too--this is the US President, in case there is anyone who does not know that. This fb page seems like it preceded our new president but he continues to foster an atmosphere of contempt for women that is dangerous, insulting, and needs to be protested. Good luck to everyone striking today!
88
A sensible, clear-minded essay. Thanks, Mr. McCoy.
28
Men who knew war have said that war is organized mass murder, organized cruelty. As General Sherman said, "You cannot refine it." From ancient days to the present, victorious soldiers were given the women of the losers as prizes. Mass rape has always been part of war. I am not optimistic about changing the culture of the military. The Marines may be the most backward of our services with regard to how they treat women, but the others aren't too far behind.
14
Whenever women and girls are disrespected, assualted, and considered "less than" we can see, all over the world, what destructive consequences occur. Cannot grown-up men and women take this out at the root? Hatred and prejudice directred toward women is a cause of violence all over the world, This hatred is taught, consciously.
8
I served in the Army, but I can only speak for myself. When I was given a three day pass I didn’t run to the nearest library, my destination was the nearest bar where there was dancing, and I didn’t go there solely for the music.If you could open up the mind of a 18 or 19 year old soldier, you would not find hymns.Put me in a foxhole with a pretty girl & i would have forgotten about the war going on about me.
I believe in equal rights between all people including women, but increase the dose of salt peter in the SOS.
I believe in equal rights between all people including women, but increase the dose of salt peter in the SOS.
5
Its pretty clear that the Marine Corps as an institution does not want women in the Corps but this culture is very disturbing for our society.
Where to start -- Are active male Marines speaking up against this rampant misogyny when it occurs? Do male Marines commit greater-than-average acts of violence against women in civilian life?
Where to start -- Are active male Marines speaking up against this rampant misogyny when it occurs? Do male Marines commit greater-than-average acts of violence against women in civilian life?
11
Yes. An earlier article on this news mentioned that the rate of REPORTED sexual assaults was much higher in the Marine Corps than in the other services.
8
Only poor small brains have to put other people down to feel important.
Every Marine behaving this way should be deeply ashamed when readers have to check twice to make sure they are not reading a story about IS soldiers.
Every Marine behaving this way should be deeply ashamed when readers have to check twice to make sure they are not reading a story about IS soldiers.
16
How about betrayal of the core value of human decency and respect for a fellow human being?
The disgusting attitudes and behavior of the Marines unfortunately reflects our larger American society. "A culture where females (nee Marines) are treated with contempt, defined solely as sexual objects unworthy of the job and as distractions to men".
Welcome to America land of unequal pay, unequal health care at higher costs, lack of support as victims of sexual assault. The list goes on and on. Welcome to America where our Commander In Chief rates and berates and assaults women and is awarded the highest office in the land. Welcome to America where sexual assault on college campuses is blamed on the female while the male perpetrator is awarded an athletic scholarship.
So why should the Marines not reflect the society from which it comes? That the Marines have the ability to rise above such corrosive attitudes and behavior and chose not to do so is their shame.
The disgusting attitudes and behavior of the Marines unfortunately reflects our larger American society. "A culture where females (nee Marines) are treated with contempt, defined solely as sexual objects unworthy of the job and as distractions to men".
Welcome to America land of unequal pay, unequal health care at higher costs, lack of support as victims of sexual assault. The list goes on and on. Welcome to America where our Commander In Chief rates and berates and assaults women and is awarded the highest office in the land. Welcome to America where sexual assault on college campuses is blamed on the female while the male perpetrator is awarded an athletic scholarship.
So why should the Marines not reflect the society from which it comes? That the Marines have the ability to rise above such corrosive attitudes and behavior and chose not to do so is their shame.
303
Does anyone actually think that the Marines will fix this? Their former top general did nothing and now he is Secretary of Defense. President Trump reflects the poor values of the abusive marines, not the vision and respect normal of a President of either party.
So how do we fix this?
So how do we fix this?
5
The civil mandatory minimum is 5 years.
The civil mandatory maximum is 40 years.
Shall we compare the "disposition" of this case with those penalties ?
The civil mandatory maximum is 40 years.
Shall we compare the "disposition" of this case with those penalties ?
4
It is heartening to read this from a male service member. Thank you.
135
I second that. As a woman, I can say that all my friends who were in the Marines were truly thoughtful people, and it's so important that we hear them speak up and speak out against any ill or unfair treatment of women and other minorities.
Thank you.
Thank you.
10
When I was a Marine, I saw both types. One would kick your behind if you did such a thing, and the other would laugh and join in. Some people just can't grasp the concept of honor, which compels a person to be part of the first group. The movie "A Few Good Men" deals with the concept of honor among Marines. What is described in this article is thoroughly dishonorable behavior.
9
And let the Commander in Chief lead the wa—uh, oh, never mind.
143
To which our Commander-in-Chief will reply: "Where's the problem?"
36
Doesn't every man and woman know that any and every electronic photo or TV recording of themselves is can be posted to the internet without their personal approval.
Didn't almost all parents tell this to their children.
I do not have much sympathy for those people whose electronic photos or TV recordings are posted onto the internet (or barrqacks walls)!
Didn't almost all parents tell this to their children.
I do not have much sympathy for those people whose electronic photos or TV recordings are posted onto the internet (or barrqacks walls)!
6
This argument does not justify the sexism being practiced by the Marines. Didn't your mother teach you that just because you can do something does not mean you should do it. Marines and men in general, how about respect and self restraint rather than posting nude photos just because you can.
21
Not victim blaming much, huh? So the Marines who posted all this get a free pass?
14
Yup, blame the victim. We're good at that in this country.
21
Thank you for having the courage and decency to speak up not just for women but for what the USMC should be.
102
Strength comes from within, not from comparison to something weaker. The Few and Proud Men don't need to demean women to be strong.
105
There's a dilemma built into what you say. For a military person, if you enter combat, your strength will be compared to others, and if you lose, you die and fail your mission. (the definition of "strength" in this context is admittedly limited... courage, skill, resources, intelligence, teamwork, and organization also count in that equation). But the fundamental principle is that when it gets down to combat, you must prevail or die. That said, there is no reason to turn this contempt on any other entity except potential adversaries. Certainly turning it on women is (like you say) not a sign of inner strength.
5
I totally agree. Semper Fidelis!
45
Thank you! Finally, men are standing up and calling out the Marine Corps with concrete examples of the longstanding behavior that led this group of Marines to think it was OK to do what they did. To me it's the leadership that let it happen, year after year after year, they should be punished.
9