an to be something that she would truly like to be she must in a way mask her true identity. Women do not only face a struggle in combat; they are also striving to be seen among military ranking officers as well.Statistics show that only twenty percent of jobs in the Marine Corps are open to women. The Army follows with fifty-one percent. The Navy has a total of fifty-nine percent of jobs open to women; and, the Air Force has an astonishing ninety-seven percent.If it is true that women are attaining, "similar achievements" with men, why is it that women hold very few positions as higher-ranking officers? In the Army, only five percent of its executives are women and the Marine Corps has only one woman that holds an executive position. The reason as to why women might not hold as many executive positions was stated in a book, "Sound Off! American Military Women Speak Out." This statement said that,"…women must waste the energy that men can save for their jobs or their pleasures in proving herself in smashing stereotypes and overcoming prejudice,". Whatthis statement means is that because women are discriminated against, most of their time and effort goesinto trying to prove these stereotypes wrong. Maybe if the stereotypes didn't exist women would have a greater chance of gaining their equality in combat and among ranks. Inside women are the same as men, and if they want to be in the military they should be able to. They should also be able to have equal rights, and be permitted to hold the same jobs and ranks. There have been and there still are people that are fighting for equal rights for women. But, as of now it still remains a problem. One must realize that there is not a difference between men and women besides what the human eye can see. IS THERE A DIFFERENCE?BYVERNON D. WRIGHTTHEME THREE6 JULY 2000English 111...
