Gender Integration and Unit Deployment: A Study of GI Jo

Abstract

This study reports on women and men performing operational combat support functions alongside each other in a field-deployed military unit. The research specifically focuses on the gender integration process. Several major issues are addressed: (1) What feelings does one experience in a field environment under simulated combat conditions and are these feelings gender-specific? (2) What about feminine hygiene concerns and availability of personal care facilities for women in the field? (3) Are women capable of surviving and working effectively under these kinds of conditions? (4) How does incorporating women into a unit affect its combat readiness? After surveying the current literature on these issues, the author reports her own findings as a participantobserver in this combat exercise. Major findings include an explanation of the awareness and experience of the salience of gender in this environment (the "gender consciousness" phenomenon) and the "commonality of experience" hypothesis, which suggests that bonding and cohesion are based on commonality of experience, shared risk, and mutual experiences of hardship, not on gender distinctions. Questions and suggestions for future research are also presented.