ANALYSIS – In the most glaring example of wokeness in the military, which the Marine Commandant recently claimed wasn’t an issue in our beloved Corps, jarheads are being urged not to use sir or ma’am in Marine boot camp.
According to the Marine Corps Times, this is seen as part of a sweeping effort to avoid ‘misgendering’ drill instructors. This is something all Marines know has been a huge and pressing issue at boot camp for decades, as we have so many non-binary and trans drill instructors.
Please note my sarcasm.
The recommendation is part of a massive, recently completed, 738-page academic report from the University of Pittsburgh, which was commissioned by the Corps in 2020.
Instead of sir or ma’am the 22 University of Pittsburgh Academics that concocted the study – headed by biologists Bradley C. Nindl and Mita Lovalekar, recommend aspiring privates call their superiors by their last names.
The study notes that other military branches have made strides to “de-emphasize gender” by using other names instead.
The Marine Corps Times reports:
Instead of saying ‘ma’am’ or ‘sir,’ recruits in these Services refer to their drill instructors using their ranks or roles followed by their last names. Gendered identifiers prime recruits to think about or visually search for a drill instructor’s gender first, before their rank or role.
The far-left report is riddled with other woke ideas and includes a detailed study on improving gender integration at boot camp.
One important figure who thankfully appeared hesitant about this gender-neutral proposal was Col. Howard Hall, chief of staff for Marine Corps Training and Education Command.
Hall and others maintain that even if the Corps implements the change at its training facilities, recruits will then need to re-adapt to again addressing senior officers by ‘sir’ or ‘ma’am’ when they enter the fleet, as Marines in the real world would likely not enforce the rule.
Hall told the Marine Corps Times, in slightly mangled terms, and some big words:
Honestly, that’s not a quick fix. What are inculcating in our young recruits that will or will not be reinforced when they graduate and enter the fleet Marine force? So again, we want to avoid any quick-fix solutions that introduce perturbations down the line.
And yes, while we all want to avoid ‘perturbations’ down the line, more importantly we want to avoid sheer idiocy right now.
Maybe our Marine officers should learn to be blunter.
This study also shows why the military needs to stop relying so much on outside consultants and academics, and their idiotic, ideologically-driven studies, to guide its policies.
Opinions expressed by contributors do not necessarily reflect the views of Great America News Desk.
Gender neutral doesn’t make a difference in the time of war, besides if you can’t tell what you drill instructor is you really don’t belong their.. People grow up. We have dealt with idiots our entire lives, why do we want to become one. GOD made man and Woman and he really really don’t make mistakes Only satan is causing you to think GOD mad e a mistake. That is your problem stop trying to make it mine.
Yep, we are definitely circling the drain.
Perhaps addressing others as “fellow hominid” would eliminate the woke folks gender issues.
Simple reduction to the lowest common denominator.
That would help others to stay sane.
Our Marines need to show these freak woke what it is to be a Real American Soldier the hell with these freaks and and high rank in any of our Military need thrown out all benefits revoked, we need our men to be men not this ungodly garbage, remember your oath and who you are to protect America, the American Citizens and above all OUR Constitution as Written. Nonips
While we continue down this woke path, real warriors trained by our enemies are laughing themselves silly. It likely won’t be long before our soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines are including preferred pronouns on their name tags. Wow, that’ll sure make a statement about who our defenders are! My name is Jim; preferred pronouns they and them. We’ll have the enemy so confused, they/them, he/she, xe/xo will simply give up in confusion. Is Jim one person or multiple people? Maybe the American military is full of multiple personality disordered folks wearing uniforms. May God have mercy on our republic!
It’s all part of “leftist” stupidity but the solution is easy!!! Call them by their rank!! That’s what we often did when I was in uniform!!!
Every armed service member should be referred to at the most basic terms. Each armed services recruit should be referenced by the same terms “recruit” and last name. Every “trainee” should be called that: “Trainee” and last name. The following terms should be referenced for graduating as “Soldier”, “Sailor”, “Marine”, “Airman”, (and probably) “Astronaut”, as if they recognized that their chosen service branch became primary in their responsibility to their service to America. The reason I say that, is because that IS their primary responsibility, with their service to: God, deity, religion, being the only other high priority.
I left out a few religious terms because there are so many. I would think that many of those with other adherences would find service to anyone or anything other than their faith is repugnant to them personally. Many will become conscientious objectors. Past conscientious objectors have been killed, Put in jail / prison, or otherwise liable to some penalty when their beliefs/faith lead to actions that are opposite to their nation’s government or legal authorities. Having said that, other forces that are not legal have coerced, or conscripted people to be “soldiers” in their organization.
This “I am…” nonsense portrays and displays a lack of allegiance to the service and country’s protection. As far as I am concerned “they have a faithless service” if they actually serve at all. The best explanation I have is from “army.mil/values”. It is a code to live by.
The Army Values
Basic Combat Training
Sustainment
Many people know what the words Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage mean. But how often do you see someone actually live up to them? Soldiers learn these values in detail during Basic Combat Training (BCT), from then on they live them every day in everything they do — whether they’re on the job or off. In short, the Seven Core Army Values listed below are what being a Soldier is all about.
Loyalty
Bear true faith and allegiance to the U.S. Constitution, the Army, your unit and other Soldiers. Bearing true faith and allegiance is a matter of believing in and devoting yourself to something or someone. A loyal Soldier is one who supports the leadership and stands up for fellow Soldiers. By wearing the uniform of the U.S. Army you are expressing your loyalty. And by doing your share, you show your loyalty to your unit.
Duty
Fulfill your obligations. Doing your duty means more than carrying out your assigned tasks. Duty means being able to accomplish tasks as part of a team. The work of the U.S. Army is a complex combination of missions, tasks and responsibilities — all in constant motion. Our work entails building one assignment onto another. You fulfill your obligations as a part of your unit every time you resist the temptation to take “shortcuts” that might undermine the integrity of the final product.
Respect
Treat people as they should be treated. In the Soldier’s Code, we pledge to “treat others with dignity and respect while expecting others to do the same.” Respect is what allows us to appreciate the best in other people. Respect is trusting that all people have done their jobs and fulfilled their duty. And self-respect is a vital ingredient with the Army value of respect, which results from knowing you have put forth your best effort. The Army is one team and each of us has something to contribute.
Selfless Service
Put the welfare of the nation, the Army and your subordinates before your own. Selfless service is larger than just one person. In serving your country, you are doing your duty loyally without thought of recognition or gain. The basic building block of selfless service is the commitment of each team member to go a little further, endure a little longer, and look a little closer to see how he or she can add to the effort.
Honor
Live up to Army values. The nation’s highest military award is The Medal of Honor. This award goes to Soldiers who make honor a matter of daily living — Soldiers who develop the habit of being honorable, and solidify that habit with every value choice they make. Honor is a matter of carrying out, acting, and living the values of respect, duty, loyalty, selfless service, integrity and personal courage in everything you do.
Integrity
Do what’s right, legally and morally. Integrity is a quality you develop by adhering to moral principles. It requires that you do and say nothing that deceives others. As your integrity grows, so does the trust others place in you. The more choices you make based on integrity, the more this highly prized value will affect your relationships with family and friends, and, finally, the fundamental acceptance of yourself.
Personal Courage
Face fear, danger or adversity (physical or moral). Personal courage has long been associated with our Army. With physical courage, it is a matter of enduring physical duress and at times risking personal safety. Facing moral fear or adversity may be a long, slow process of continuing forward on the right path, especially if taking those actions is not popular with others. You can build your personal courage by daily standing up for and acting upon the things that you know are honorable.
I doubt the Commandant will acknowledge the slippery slope on which he is embarking!
CAPT, USN (Ret)