Although I wholeheartedly support the idea of women joining the Iraqi Army, how the hell do they reach the rank of Captain after training for only 10 weeks? Looks like there's no hope for progress unless these ladies are promoted just for show. What next, 20 weeks to be promoted to Major???
Women in Iraqi Army.
Vian, a recent graduate of Iraqi Army basic training in Amman, Jordan, holds rank insignia of captain she received on June 18, 2004. The training lasted 10 weeks. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt Ashley Brokop
Recruits from the second training course for female Iraqi Army trainees receive their scored military administration test, aimed at challenging them on their knowledge of military rank, customs and structure, June 23, 2004 at the Jordanian Royal Military Academy, Jordan. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt Ashley Brokop
As a part of training, recruits from the second class of female Iraqi Army soldiers practice drill and marching on June 23, 2004, at the Jordanian Royal Military Academy, Jordan. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt Ashley Brokop
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"As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others" - Nelson Mandela
Heres a story from today. Lets be practical here, its impossible for Iraq to have women officers of any kind in the current political and religious climate. It was an ambitious but foolhardy notion and one that the average Iraqi man cannot accept...a woman in uniform. Most men would want their wives & daughters to wear the hijab and even the none muhajibat wear the hijab when on the streets of Baghdad for fear of retribution from the religious Militias like the Jihoosh Al Mahdi. Sad but true!
Iraqi policewomen are told to surrender their weaponsBAGHDAD -- The Iraqi government has ordered all policewomen to hand in their guns for redistribution to men or face having their pay withheld, thwarting a U.S. initiative to bring women into the nation's police force. The Interior Ministry, which oversees the police, issued the order late last month, according to ministry documents, U.S. officials and several of the women. It affects all officers who have earned the title "policewoman" by graduating from the police academy. It does not apply to men in the same type of jobs.
Critics say the move is the latest sign of the religious and cultural conservatism that has taken hold in Iraq since Saddam Hussein's ouster ushered in a government dominated by Shiite Muslims. Now, that tendency is hampering efforts to bring stability to Iraq by driving women from the force, said U.S. Army Brig. Gen. David Phillips, who has led the effort to recruit female officers.
"We nursed it along," he said last week, referring to the recruiting effort. "We saw this as: 'If we could get 50% of the brain power in this country that is not being utilized engaged, how much further along would we be?' "
Without policewomen, Phillips said, there will be no officers to give pat-down searches to female suspects, even though women have joined the ranks of suicide bombers in Iraq. Last week, a female bomber killed at least 16 people north of Baghdad, at least the fifth such attack in Iraq this year. Another U.S. advisor noted that forcing out female officers will hamper investigation of crimes such as rape, which stigmatizes women in Iraq, because few victims feel comfortable reporting it to policemen.
Policewomen say the decree also will leave them unable to protect themselves at work or off duty. Scores of police employees, both officers and administrative workers, have been killed by insurgents. Men and women have traditionally been allowed to carry their Glock pistols with them after hours for security.
"We are considered policewomen. We face kidnapping. We could be assassinated. If anyone knew where we worked, of course they would try to do something to us," said a 27-year-old interviewed Sunday.
"How can I be a policewoman without a weapon?" she asked incredulously as three female colleagues nodded in agreement.
They, and Phillips, said the pistol recall was the latest in a series of moves that has limited most policewomen to desk jobs. The few who have worked on the streets have been reassigned to administrative tasks.
"Heres a story from today. Lets be practical here, its impossible for Iraq to have women officers of any kind in the current political and religious climate. It was an ambitious but foolhardy notion and one that the average Iraqi man cannot accept...a woman in uniform. Most men would want their wives & daughters to wear the hijab and even the none muhajibat wear the hijab when on the streets of Baghdad for fear of retribution from the religious Militias like the Jihoosh Al Mahdi. Sad but true! " LOB above quote
I wondered about this when I read your post yesterday.
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Faith, Hope and Love, the Greatest of these is LOVE!!!
"In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act." George Orwell
Well. There is a valled point to having woman in at least an accessible position to take care of searches and female sensitive issues. I don't know about combat roles though.
The Isreali army has some gorgious gun toting females that serve in combat positions. America doesn't put females into combat units though, I'm a combat engineer, and there are no females in my unit (except for administrative roles, and the occasional medic).
It seems to make sense though, if it's too sesitive don't do it.
As for the rank of Captian...
If the Iraqi army works like the US army you can recieve a commission to captian upon enlistment if you have certain degree requirements and fit a need for a specific position. For instance Doctors can enlist as captain, majors, ect. Basicly their typically not leadership positions.
America doesn't put females into combat units though, I'm a combat engineer, and there are no females in my unit (except for administrative roles, and the occasional medic).
dritalins quote above.
dustin, are you sure about this? i figure you are since you are in the military, this is a fact i did not know. i really thought that in the US military if women could pass the same "tests" as the men they were in the same "roles".
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Faith, Hope and Love, the Greatest of these is LOVE!!!
"In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act." George Orwell
In the non-combat MOS's (Military Occupation Specialty), any female that qualifies has an equal chance of being awarded a position as a qualifying male. This includes anything from the regular desk jobs to engineer, to military intelligence. They can pilote aircraft (non combat), or be MPs (Military Police).
Combat roles include infantry, feild artillary, some Millitary Intelligence (ones requiring live intelligence gathering). In all Military operations in a hostile envirment personel are at risk, however the 'combat' roles are directly involved with engaging the enemy. When you enter Military service you have to pass some kind of initial training, for the Army it's Basic training, Marines is Boot Camp. This includes females. In Boot camp and BCT (Basic Combat Training) both male and female reqruites are instructed in basic COMBAT opperations. So that everyone, females included, are trained in to engage the enemy.
If the Iraqi army works like the US army you can recieve a commission to captian upon enlistment if you have certain degree requirements and fit a need for a specific position. For instance Doctors can enlist as captain, majors, ect. Basicly their typically not leadership positions.
Makes sence. I never served in the Iraqi Army but perhaps others who have might like to shed some light on this situation?
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"As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others" - Nelson Mandela
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