THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, September 3, 1994 TAG: 9409020044
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A12 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 45 lines
After three different letters on this subject in the past week, I believe it's time for a current, experienced viewpoint.
With almost 20 years of service with males and females as credentials, I submit:
All three letters reflect narrow, unrealistic and uninformed views. I have not had 65 sailors or hundreds of sailors under my control (letters, Aug. 26, R. A. Benzel and Aug. 22, Capt. Donald R. Trueblood), but I have ``led'' up to 50 with up to 50 percent being female.
If there are problems with sailors, singly or mixed, or if mixing them causes a degradation in military readiness, then there is a failure of leadership.
The training and leadership abilities of today's officer and enlisted leaders are stronger than ever. Times, attitudes, education and abilities have all changed. No matter what the biological differences, how a sailor reacts to strong, positive leadership (which senior personnel are supposed to provide) has not changed.
Gender becomes an issue only when someone makes it one.
As for E. B. LaVois (letter, Aug. 26), while I agree that the views expressed in Capt. Trueblood's letter are unfounded and unproved, her cause would have been better served if she had cited the thousands of military females currently serving with distinction, instead of Shannon Faulkner. Her argument perpetuated the stereotypical radical impressions blamed on the ``NOW gang'' and did nothing to enhance the public view of today's women.
A final point: racism, prejudice and sexism neither permitted nor caused the Tailhook scandal. Lack of adult leadership and a slow news day did.
The record of the military services is not perfect. Our every failure is publicized for the personal gain of others. However, we're getting better and stronger by learning from our mistakes. It's a ``Brave New World'' out there, and a better service now than the one I entered years ago.
H. B. MOON
Chief petty officer, U.S. Navy
Virginia Beach, Aug. 29, 1994 by CNB