I want to be an army medic but I've heard about women being raped?

Question

And I heard that these cases are brushed under the carpet to keep reputations clean. I am female and in my first year of medicine and would love to become an army medic. Do any of you have experience of how women are treated?

Answer 1

I was sexually harassed a few times by some assholes, and I told them to **** off, but I never felt that I was in any danger of being raped. I made sure that I did not put myself in any positions for that possibility to happen (i.e.-being the only female within a large group of guys, or around some that were drinking) If you decide to pursue a career in the Army, as long as you have an air of confidence and strength (physical and mental) you will be fine, and the guys will respect you. Men in the Army absolutely hate females that come across as unwilling to do any tough grunt work, (the 'cutsey' ones) and there are quite a few jobs in the Army (including Medic) that you cannot allow yourself to be perceived as weak in. The females that were raped downrange did not fight back and allowed it to happen, if you ask my opinion. Any female that has a loaded weapon and does not at least try to give the asshole a butt stroke to the head is weak, at best. And no female of ANY rank should be walking around by themselves anyway; you are supposed to have a female Battle Buddy. That's what I preached to my females, and they had no problems downrange. Females in the Army are taught how to fight back if they are attacked, and using the excuse that they were scared and felt that they would receive negative retribution is bullshit.
Edit-Any female that deploys is also instructed to have a 'Battle Buddy' with them; I had one with me wherever I went, day and night, and I was a Staff Sergeant. I also accompanied many females to the Latrines at night. That's what a concerned, responsible Soldier (REGARDLESS OF RANK!) does!

Answer 2

Its not really any different of your chances of being raped in the civilian world.

I have been in for 12 years now. Yes it happens, but it is rare. There is a mix of things that I have seen happen. I have seen females claim rape when they were caught doing something they should not be doing.

I have seen cases where women try to use thier sex to thier advantage.

But mostly I see the near majority women doing thier duty like the near majority of male soldiers. There will always be a few bad apples in any group, military or civilian. In general, crime statistics are lower in the military then in the civilian world. Most things like that are lower, its just reported more because its a foucused group that can be measured compared to the chaos of the civilian world that is hard to measure.

Even at the Air Force Academy where there is a big sexual harrassment scandal, the rate of sexual harrassment is 6% where in the civilian world I have seen statistics that say 10-24% depending on the study and the compay it was based on.

Answer 3

Short reply to you as this was asked previously-will give you that link also. I was in the Marines for twenty years and know some soldiers and National Guard even now; some women are raped in the military by military members and some are raped as civilians by civilians. Part of the problem is that a rape in a huge population that is over 50% female is a statistical nothing but the military has a much lower percent that means the rape percent or per 100,000 is much larger from one rape. It does happen and statistically more often in the military; are you safe in the military with 99% f the males I would say you are but there is scum in every walk of life and that includes the mlitary. I treated my Women Marines the same way I treated my males Marines and I was the one responsible for them-I would not let any one hurt my people regardless of gender and if some one had raped one of my WM's they had best hope the Military Police caught them before I found them. I think when I say that I can speak for any NCO, SNCO or officer regardless of branch of service. As for covering it up I can't say but I know I wouldn't allow it and don't think most Staff NCO's, NCO's or officers would-even in those groups you will have some more interested in making themselves look good and their records then the duty they have to care for the personnel under them though. If you want my earlier answer email me and I will send you there.

Answer 4

I am an Army medic. Been one for 7 years now. Just recently became a medic instructor. Yes, rape does happen in the military, sexual harrassment exists in the military also. Sadly, this happens in the military just like in the civilian world.
Me personally, I have been harassed by a few guys but you tell them where to go, and put your foot down and you're fine. People who sexually assault others look for ones that they sense are weak. The one good thing I can say from MY experiences in the Army is that IF it is brought to the attention of someone, they usually nip it in the bud really quick. They don't play with that kind of stuff.

Answer 5

Are there cases of female service members being sexually assaulted ... yes. Are there cases of female service members using sexuality to advance their careers ... yes to that too. The military, like any large organization is going to have a percentage of criminal degenerate dirt bags and yes, like any organization, they prefer to wash their own dirty laundry and not publicly air it. On the other hand, the military is, and has been for quite some time, a front runner in its policies, regulations and education efforts to minimize the occurrences of sexual harassment and sex crimes by both men and women. Any command I've ever seen that had women at and men at the same command, this was a BIG DEAL and made clear to everyone who reported for duty that sexual harassment and fraternization had zero tolerance policies. Bottom line, you can't live in a glass bubble and don't let hear-say worst case stories change your dreams, aspirations and ambitions. Good Luck!

Answer 6

I was in the Army, I served in one of the toughest divisions in the Army, in a combat capacity, and I never heard once of a female being raped (and I lived in the barracks for 3 years).

However, if you're truly worried about it just get a knife that has an upside down case that allows you to reach under your shirt and grab the knife. Then, stab.

In all honesty, I don't think you'll be raped. But, I can't guarantee it- especially in Iraq.

Answer 7

I was in 8 years and never had a problem.

Yes some males don't like females in the army and you might run into some jerks but overall it is fine. The army gives quarterly training about sexual harassment and EO.

Answer 8

"In a 2003 study, nearly one out of three women veterans said the had been sexually assaulted while on active duty." (American Journal of Industrial Medicine, MAR 2003)

"...60% of women reservists and National Guard members report being sexually assaulted or harrassed during their service." (Depart. of Veterans Affairs Study, SEP 2005)

"In 2003 and 2004, 147 sexual assaults were reported in Iraq, Afganistan, Kuwait and other active-deployment areas, according to Pentagon figures. But the numbers represent only a small fraction of attacks. A study by the Department of Veterans Affairs shows that 75% of assaulted military women never tell their commanding officer. ("Vet becomes crusader for victims of soldier rape," Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 11 APR 2005)

"It was widely know that female cadets would be punished if the reported a sexual assault." (Interview with an Air Force Cadet, ABC News, FEB 2003)

"Col. Janis Karpinski testified that several female soldiers died in Iraq of dehydration because they refused to drink liquids late in the day. They were afraid of being assaulted or even raped by male soldiers if they had to use the women's latrine after dark. She also testified to the Military Command's attempts at a cover up." (Truthout Report, 30 JAN 2006)

Answer 9

I will be honest with you the truth is a majority of the women claiming rape are females that got caught and use the rape charge to get out of trouble so they make it hard on females that do get raped. If a female states that she has been raped and her chain of command does nothing about it now adays you best believe people are getting relieved of duty. Since what happened in the past and the media coverage that came with it the Army cannot afford to allow it to happen. Getting grabbed and forced to do something yes rape. Going to male hut when roomates are asleep have sex with him for two weeks and one night you get caught sneeking out the hut you call rape sorry i got to call the flag on that.

Answer 10

I would say that you are less likely to be raped in the Army than in College.

I don't have numbers but I think with research I could back that up.