Of WASPs & WAVEs

Tomorrow is Veterans Day in the United States and while people will be paying tribute to those men and women who have helped ensure that we enjoy the freedoms and liberties that we have today, I want to bring attention to a small but important group of women whose contributions to the war effort during World War II are all but unknown. The WASPs and WAVEs broke through ground and gender barriers and proved that women are just as capable of men when it comes to serving one's country.

The WASPs, or the Women's Airforce Service Pilots, was a paramilitary organization serving under the direction of the United States Army Air Forces. Formed in 1943, was comprised of female pilots whose service freed the same number of male pilots to fly combat missions during World War II.   The program was controversial since the idea of women piloting aircraft was still a novel idea, but it proved to be popular amongst young women who wanted to do their part to help with the war effort. Over the course of the program a total of 25,000 women applied to be a part of the program, 1,830 were accepted and 1,047 passed the training course which included commercial pilot training as well as 30 days of Army orientation before going on to become pilots.  Two of the women were Chinese-American, one was Native American and the rest were white. Rather than flying in combat WASPs flew on ferrying missions transporting supplies between bases both domestically and internationally in support of America's war effort. A few select women served as test pilots for both rocket and jet propelled aircraft. In total they flew over 60 million miles in every type of military aircraft and 38 made the ultimate sacrifice but because the WASPs were not granted full military status they were unable to American flags draped over their coffins. Their presence was all but unknown to people outside of their missions and after the program was dismantled in these pilots were expected to simply return to their pre-war lives. It wasn't until 1977 that WASP veterans were granted veteran status.  In 2009 the WASPs received the Congressional Gold Medal for having "performed an achievement that has an impact on American history and culture that is likely to be recognized as a major achievement in the recipient's field long after that achievement". In 1993 the then Secretary of Defense finally allowed women to fly in combat missions and you could say the rest is history.

The WAVEs, or Women Accepted for Volunteer Service, was the Navy's equivalent of the WASP program. Established during the summer of 1942, the understanding was that women who "volunteered" their time were doing so due to the unusual circumstances of the war and that at its conclusion, these women would readily return to civilian life with no expectation of continuing with their military service. However unlike the women serving in the WASP, WAVEs were a full part of the Navy, served as both enlisted personnel and commissioned officers attending the same trainings as the ranks as their male counterparts, received the same pay and were subject to the same disciplinary procedures.

WAVEs were initially restricted to service within the continental United States and were not allowed to serve on combat ships or aircraft but were eventually allowed to serve in Hawaii. Within the first year there were 27,000 WAVEs serving mostly in clerical positions although there were women serving in the medical, aviation, intelligence and science and technology communities. The first female African-American officer was commissioned in 1944 and within the enlisted ranks there was roughly one black woman for every 36 white women. By the end of the WAVEs accounted for 2 1/2 % of the Navy's personnel. As was the original plan, at the end of the War, women did not simply slip back into civilian life. Rather, with the passage of the Women's Armed Services Integration Act of 1948, women were granted permanent status in the armed services and that summer fourteen WAVEs became the first women to be commissioned as officers (8) sworn in as enlisted personnel (6) in the regular Navy.

My late great aunt Irene was a WAVE during World War II. She was always proud of her service and continued to attend WAVE reunions until her health no longer permitted her to travel. She would talk about her service at every opportunity she had, was a regular at her local Veterans Day celebrations and proudly wore (and showed) people her old dog tags at our Navy tradition infused wedding. Aunt Irene was a character and a tough cookie but when I think of the WASPs and WAVES I think of her. So tomorrow, Aunt Irene will be at the top of my list of veterans whom I remember and give thanks to.

Let's Hear It For G.I. Jane

History was made last week and as is the American way as of late, it wasn't without controversy. On Wednesday, Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta announced that women serving in the U.S. military will now be allowed to serve in combat positions.  This declaration means that many of the highly coveted and highly skilled positions in the special forces, infantry, and special operations will now be opened to all qualified soldiers, sailors, and airmen regardless of their gender.  Both proponents and opponents immediately jumped into the debate, opining their reasoning for why or why not this move is or isn't good for the U.S. military.  My response to the debate?  Its about time.

Naysayers have been putting forth a variety of arguments as to why women should not serve in combat zones.  Some claim that introducing women to traditionally all male platoons, squadrons, teams (whatever you want to call it), will tear apart the traditional "band of brothers" and negatively impact morale.  Times changes and all must get on board.  If the status quo had been allowed to stand decades ago when the armed forces became racially integrated, we would still have a segregated military.  Others argue that the situations are just too dangerous for women.  Hello, too dangerous?  Women realize they are serving in the armed forces and not attending an afternoon tea party.  And how do you define "dangerous" when you are at war?  Despite their not previously being allowed in combat positions, a total of 152 women have already died in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan while serving in supposedly "safer" positions.  The reality is that war is ugly and no one is safe regardless of your gender.   And then, inevitably, there is the sexual aspect of integrated forces.  I read one op-ed piece where the author said the introduction of women into the special forces would serve as too much of a temptation to the men who often go for extended periods of time without having contact with women.  Or gasp (!) what if the troops saw each other naked!??!   My initial reaction was to laugh since to argue this, one would have to naively believe that all of the men in the service are heterosexual.  (But perhaps some are that naive..........). The same outcries were heard when the U.S. Navy began to allow women to serve on ships.  Integration might not have been smooth sailing from the get-go but today all ships are fully integrated.  I remember during Glenn's last deployment that there were several female spouses who regularly voiced their concerns about women serving on board ships with men.  Yes, this was happening in 2008.  This was years after integration but some people still were uncomfortable with the co-ed conditions.  My reaction was the same then as it is now;  if you are so concerned about your husband being tempted by other women because they are working and living in close confines with each other, you probably have larger issues in your marriage that extend far beyond a military deployment.

So what are the proponents of this move saying?  (Besides, its about time).  If we are to argue for equal rights amongst the genders it has to be equal on all fronts.  And yes, that means having to face the same dangers that men going to war have been facing for centuries.  No one is asking for special treatment either; women must follow the same physical fitness guidelines as their male counterparts.  To this end, perhaps coincidentally or perhaps intentionally, the U.S. Marines recently announced that female Marines will now be held to the same pull up and push up standards as their male counterparts.  Will it be difficult? Maybe for some but if you are going to be on the front lines, you must be prepared.  Bullets don't discriminate based on gender.  It has been too easy to dismiss women as being the "fairer" sex and therefore physically weaker.  Undoubtedly, some women--myself included--are.  (I am a self proclaimed wimp).  But I have met many women who can out run, out push up, pull up, and generally run physical circles around many men.  Let's give everyone the opportunity to prove themselves.  Perhaps the largest bonus, however, is the opportunity for true career advancement.  In today's battle heavy world, most of the military's generals and admirals have served on the front lines of combat.  Prevent women from serving along side them and you are preventing them from having an equal chance at promotion to the highest military ranks.  With the change in the law they literally now have a fighting chance.  And lets be honest, could the world military situation be any worse if women were in leadership positions?

Are these changes going to occur overnight?  Will everyone accept the changes today, tomorrow, and even next year?  No and no again.  Change is always slow and not particularly easy but most times it is for the better.  And I think this move is definitely for the better.  My next suggestion would be to open the Selective Service, and if there was a draft, to women.  After all, if we want true equality, we must be willing to step up to the plate.