The first female Marine students arrived at School of Infantry-West (SOI-W) to begin the first phase of Marine Combat Training (MCT) on Camp Pendleton, Calif., March 6, 2018.
This marks the first male-female integrated Marine Combat Training Company on the West Coast.
“It is important, one team one fight, at the end of the day it’s to show the Marine Corps can produce [Marines] regardless of gender and complete any mission.” Said Sgt. Ambar Gonzalez, a combat instructor with Lima Company, SOI-West.
Prior to the West Coast’s integration, female Marines attended MCT training exclusively at Camp Geiger, North Carolina. Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina remains the only depot available for females to attend basic training.
“The Marine Corps has trained all entry-level female Marines, both boot camp at Parris Island and Marine Combat Training at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.” said Lt. Col. Dennis L. Hager II, Headquarter and Support Battalion commander. “Starting today, we took 40 of the women from the western regional recruiting offices, and brought them here to Camp Pendleton.”
An additional benefit of the integration is providing families from the West Coast opportunity to see their Marines graduate.
“If families had wanted to observe their daughter from boot camp, or any entry level training school they would have to travel across the country,’ said Hager. “These students are going to have the unique ability to have their families observe their graduation from MCT, from the local area where they came from.”
Marine Combat Training consists of a 29-day course where entry-level Marines in non-infantry related Military Occupational Specialties are taught the basic skills needed to function in a combat environment. Upon completion of MCT, every Marine will have the knowledge and ability to deploy and operate as a basic rifleman.
29 comments
One more thing, the women in Israeli infantry are assigned to two battalions. Both of those battalions are assigned to defense of the Egypt, Jordan border. So if they fight it is not in offensive combat, where they are attacking enemy infantry or defensive position. This is a huge difference. They are also not allowed to serve on main battle tanks. So they are used as a last defense and all hands are on deck. Do some research and get your facts straight. Also if you were a POG in the Marine Corps you don’t have the experience in training or what is required on a daily basis in an infantry unit. This integration has been tried numerous times before. The Marine corps spent millions of dollars on this integration study in 2012-2014. They submitted an exhaustive report to the secretary of the navy Ray Mabus. After all the money and all the training the marine corps recommended not to integrate women into combat arms. Mabus said too bad your doing it anyway. So it’s totally political. Good reference on wonderwoman though Otto. Totally legit
We have plenty of males in US without weakening are corps by adding girls to weakening are fighting ability . Politicians and feminist have tried to make us more diversified . We need balls and guts in a fight not distractions
Women in the Israeli army are not allowed in offensive ground units. I trained with them in 98. So that argument is gone. It is an undue stressor and will damage combat readiness in infantry units. How many people think that a 19-21 year old woman will not be sleeping with someone in her platoon or squad? Is this good for morale? To call someone a chauvinist because they think this is a bad idea is infuriating. Read Col. John Ripleys testimony before congress on this topic. Much more eloquent than myself and much more qualified to speak on it. If you don’t know who John Ripley is fix yourself.
My turn to weigh in. I am a MALE Marine, 68 years young, enlisted in the Corps 1968 and got out in 1972. So how do I feel about WM’s taking Combat Training? Unlike all of the chauvinist men that have posted on this, I have to say it’s well overdue. The Israeli Army has had women serving in combat for as long as I can remember (and that country has been at war for as long as I’ve been alive). Case in point is the new Wonder Woman, Gal Gadot, she was a Combat Instructor for two years when she was in their Army. Until you have watched your (non-military) wife go through childbirth, or done so yourself, don’t underestimate the strength a woman has. It’s not just that their threshold for pain is higher than a man’s, but they also have better endurance. Granted, a woman might not possess the strength of her male counterparts, but I’d be willing to bet MY life on them being every bit as ferocious a fighter as most men.
I hate to differ w/my brothers but the Israelis don’t have a problem with this.I’ve met some pretty tough Marine Corps women.I’ve been saying for 48 years,that in a combat situation,I would rather have a woman Marine next to me before I would take an Army poge.I know a Woman Marine wouldn’t run and would shoot straight.I know what you guys are really thinking…that it might be to much to see a Sister gunned down.Semper Fi.Ps;Those Woman Marines did volunteer to go thru basic ITR.In the Army,if your MOS is not infantry,you do not go to AIT (advanced infantry training)
Chesty is rolling over in his grave!
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Keep the gays in the rear, and the females manning the breastworks!
This is not good for the Marine Corps.
Bad…..more reasons than can be named. Only thing worse is allowing queers openly.
I agree. Did the enemy sign on to gender integration? How about the NFL?
Yeah, great. Let’s hope the enemies of America are just as scared of their politicians as we are. By the way, are the sports teams mixed gender? Does the Annapolis Football team have both men and women? Hmm…why not?
Ahhhh!! So much wrong with this!!! Surely the WM’s will have the normal pull-up test and not just the hang on a bar test?? Hopefully the PFT’s will not be a watered down version of the male Marines testing protocol? I hope so because I would not want to depend on an individual that did not complete the same PFT testing! Just to address any possible male masogany comments. I believe that any and everyone should be tested on the same platform and ‘NO ONE ‘ should be given any leeway or able to skirt those requirements!!! I personally feel that if not done that way, it could compromise our missions! 0331 GUNS UP!
I’ll be here first to remark on the stupidity of those forcing this unnecessary integration that will only endanger the lives of Marines in combat. The only so-called rationale I’ve heard is that it’s only fair women be allowed to do this; since when has fairness come into play in any aspect of military life?!