Sgt. Maj. Jennifer Simmons, standing straight-backed under her “Smokey Bear” hat — the iconic campaign cover of a Marine drill instructor — is a regular at recruit pickup, when the 12-week transformation from civilian to Marine begins.
As senior enlisted leader of Support Battalion, she oversees most training at the depot, from the drill instructor school to recruit martial arts.
Whoever thinks women don’t belong in the Corps hasn’t dared tell Simmons, a three-time combat veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“No one treats me special. They treat me like a sergeant major in the Marine Corps, and I demand that respect, whether I’m on the depot or at Camp Pendleton, anywhere,” Simmons said.
The Marine Corps wants a few good women like Simmons in charge. Lots more, actually.
Putting women leaders out front in the armed forces’ most male-dominated service is good for recruits and good for the Corps, Marine brass said. They hope to increase decorum, expand promotion opportunities for female Marines, combat sexual assault and allow commanders to pick the best candidate for a job regardless of gender.
“It’s not only respecting the rank, it’s about respecting you as a leader so they will follow you regardless of the situation. So we want to expose them to as many different leadership models and role models that they are going to have in the operating forces,” said Brig. Gen. Daniel Yoo, commanding general of Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego and Western Recruiting Region. http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/apr/06/corps-seeks-more-women-marines/
As long as they don't drop standards, I have no problems with female drill sergeants and other female Marines in leadership positions.
Obviously, having mostly male TI's in the Air Force basic training didn't work out so well.
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