Is G.I. Jane Coming To The Marines?

Is G.I. Jane Coming To The Marines?

To the Infantry, that is.

The Commandant of the U.S. Marines, General James F. Amos says that two women will provide him with the data he needs to make recommendations to Congress, to the defense secretary and to the secretary of the Navy.

The General was referring to two women, who will attend the Marine Infantry Officer Course at Quantico, Virgina, spend 13 weeks going through the Marine's intense training to meet the same standard that men do.  Says Amos:

"...That’s the standard...That’s what it takes to be an infantry officer in the Marine Corps...”

The General revealed to the audience at the National Press Corps, where he was speaking, that the Marine Corps has opened a number of fields to women, and the experiences of the first women to go through the Infantry Officer Course next month will help him as he makes recommendations for an increased role for female Marines.

General Amos says he wants to "...get past hyperbole and past the intuition and instincts...I need to get facts..”

The Commandant said:

"...Many women have been in combat in the wars fought over the last decade. Women in combat have not been an issue...Artillery, tanks, amphibious warfare vehicles, light air defense and some combat engineer specialties now are open to women in the Marine Corps’ officers and staff noncommissioned officer ranks...So that’s in the process right now..."

He believes women will be successful in those fields.

“Early indications are that that was precisely the right thing to do...The question of women serving in infantry positions needs more data to answer, and the Corps is in the process of getting that information...Marines are receiving a survey on the subject now..."

Regarding the two women Infantry trainees, the General said:

“We will collect the data, and then we will see where we are...I’m not the least bit afraid of the data...The Corps is running a series of studies on aspects of physical strength needed in the Marines for both men and women, the general noted...We are going to do this the right way to set the conditions for success..."

(Source:  American Forces Press Service / Jim Garamone)