Training & Gender Issues

Gender-segregated training was the focus of talks between female sergeants and staff sergeants, representing each of the major Camp Pendleton commands, and the newly appointed undersecretary of the Navy, Jerry Hultin, who toured the base March 9. The dialogue between the women Marines and the undersecretary was part of a breakfast and focus group at the 14 Area dining facility. After meeting the Marines during the breakfast, Hultin asked how recent changes to Marine Combat Training and the Crucible have affected female Marines. The questions were based on current debates regarding men and women training together. The Marine Corps is the only military branch that doesn't integrate genders during boot camp. Marine Combat Training at Camp Lejeune, N.C., now trains male and female Marines together. Since the inception of the Crucible and the integrated MCT, females are more accepted by their male counterparts, said SSgt. Christi Finley, 1st Force Service Support Group. "The platoons aren't integrated, but males and females train together as a company," said Capt. Michael Manning, executive officer, MCT Bn., Camp Lejeune. At the School of Infantry, female platoons are integrated into companies within MCT Bn. "The undersecretary asked us how we felt about segregated training and the quality of female Marines that go through the Crucible," Finley said. "I feel that since the Marine Corps raised the physical fitness test standards for females we're more accepted. "Allowing females to do the Crucible and MCT is more effective than integrating boot camp. I agree with the Commandant's decision to continue segregated boot camp. If it's not broken, don't fix it." Hultin also asked the Marines about the quality and availability of TriCare and on-base housing. The group said Marines still need more education on military health benefits, but was pleased with on-base housing. After breakfast, Hultin was given a command brief at I Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters. The brief emphasized the local environmental impacts of training and how Camp Pendleton provides a balance between environmental concerns and training. Before leaving Camp Pendleton, the undersecretary of the Navy visited Stuart Mesa housing to view the elementary school under construction there, Badger said. Hultin was then taken to Marine Aircraft Support Squadron 3 where he boarded a helicopter. From the air, Hultin viewed the Santa Margarita River, the last free-flowing river in California, and the aftermath of the recent flooding. The Marine Corps Base commanding general, MajGen. C.W. Reinke, gave the undersecretary an overview of the base. "General Reinke described Camp Pendleton as a `county with little towns in it,' rather than just a base," said Capt. David Badger, protocol officer, I Marine Expeditionary Force. "The next time (the undersecretary) hears about Camp Pendleton, he'll know us."