Tag Archives: military

Rick Santorum Frets Your Ladylike “Emotions” Are Bad For Military Combat

women in combat
The military is recommending women for combat roles. Read More »
Military Sister
My brother joined the armed forces. Read More »
2012 Election
All of The Frisky's posts about the 2012 election. Read More »

“I want to create every opportunity for women to be able to serve this country … but I do have concerns about women in front-line combat. I think that could be a very compromising situation, where people naturally may do things that may not be in the interest of the mission because of other types of emotions that are involved. It already happens, of course, with the camaraderie of men in combat, but I think it would be even more unique if women were in combat. And I think that’s not in the best interests of men, women or the mission.”

Yesterday the Pentagon announced new rules that will open up 14,000 more positions for women in the military that put them closer to combat positions, like missile launcher crew members and tank mechanics. The new rules go into effect this summer. But Sen. Rick Santorum told CNN’s John King he’s not too sure us ladies would be able to handle combat roles because of “other types of emotions” getting in the way, whatever that means. Fear? Having a sadz because of our periods? Does it matter? Keep reading »

All-Female Team Builds Barracks In Record Time

Military Sister
My brother joined the armed forces. Read More »
Soldiers Reunite With Dogs
Soldiers reunite with their adopted Afgan dogs. Watch »
Army to ban manicures?
French manicure photo
The army is considering a ban on manicures and earrings. Read More »

A group of Seabees, the U.S. Navy’s specially trained construction force, just went down in the military history books for being the first all-female team to finish a construction job start to finish. Russell Stewart, a Seabees spokesperson, said, “Unlike most times Seabees show up to a new location, this team was welcomed with rolling eyes and comments on the order of, ‘Really, a group of girls?’” The team quickly answered that question with a resounding, “Yes, really!” Their mission — to build four barracks in the freezing mountains of Afghanistan — certainly wasn’t an easy one. But the team of eight women didn’t stop there: they doubled their workload by adding a gym and an operations center onto the original building plan. And they managed to finish the job,  electricity and utilities included, a full week ahead of schedule. Now that’s girl power! [LA Times]

Military Announces New Strategies To Deal With Sexual Assaults

Military Sister
My brother joined the armed forces. Read More »
New "Rape" Definition
A new definition of rape has been approved by the FBI. Read More »
Rape Checklist
rapists photo
A handy checklist of things that cause rape. Read More »

File this one under It’s About Time: Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta has announced that the military is implementing new strategies to prevent sexual assaults and improve their current system for responding to sex crimes. According to official data, there were 3,191 reported sexual assaults in 2011; however, these crimes so often go unreported that Panetta and his team estimate the actual number to be astronomically higher — closer to 19,000. The new plan includes better training for victims’ advocates, increased funding for investigators, and an improved data system to compile sexual assault information across different branches of the military. While these changes aren’t necessarily revolutionary, it is a sign that the armed forces are taking sexual assaults more seriously, and that’s a step in the right direction. [The Raw Story]

RealTouch Wants To Donate Sex Toys To Military Families

Sex Toys For Him
John DeVore considers buying a sex toy. Read More »

One sex toy company wants to service the men and women who serve our country. Adult toy company RealTouch is looking to donate thousands of male masturbator systems to military families. Their award-winning electronic vagina can be hooked up to a computer and synched with the action of one’s favorite porno. But instead of creating a virtual porn, the owners of RealTouch have developed new software that allows the masturbator to synch up with an electronic dildo via the internet. So basically, deployed partners can have e-sex with their S.O.s back home in real time. Sounds rather confusing logistically, but a great idea. RealTouch is still waiting to get the military’s approval. Something tells me that’s going to be difficult. [Digg]

Today’s Lady News: Lesbian Couple Kisses When Navy Ship Docks

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Don't Ask, Don't Tell
Deep thoughts from Hollywood on the repeal of "don't ask, don't tell." Read More »
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  • Naval Petty Officer Second Class Marissa Gaeta bought 50 raffle tickets so she could win the Navy’s lottery and be the first person off the ship to kiss their loved one at the dock. Once on land, Marissa Gaeta swooped up her girlfriend, Petty Officer Third Class Citlalic Snell, a smooch. So. Cute. [Queerty]
  • The FDA has approved preliminary clinical trials on humans for an experimental HIV vaccine. [Think Progress]
  • Frisky contributer Hugo Schwyzer on why he has resigned from writing for The Good Men Project. [HugoSchwyzer.com] Keep reading »

Girl Talk: I’m A Military Sister

Celebs at OWS
See who's been to Occupy Wall Street. Read More »
Military Trafficking
The military's dirty human trafficking secret. Read More »
women in combat
The military is recommending women for combat roles. Read More »
Army to ban manicures?
French manicure photo
The army is considering a ban on manicures and earrings. Read More »

My parents had only two rules for my brothers and me when we were growing up:

1. Don’t become a Republican.
2. Don’t join the military.

So you can imagine everyone’s shock and confusion when my fiercely liberal brother Corwin announced that he had enlisted in the Marines.

Keep reading »

Army Considers Ban On French Manicures And Earrings

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The Frisky's top 10 picks for fall nail polish shades. Read More »
Reverse French Mani
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How to give yourself a reverse French manicure. Read More »

I’m slightly baffled as to why Sergeant Major of the Army Raymond Chandler would take to Facebook, of all places, for input on changes to the Army grooming standards. Maybe he thought his Facebook pals were the best people to solicit advice on the Army’s consideration of a ban on French manicures, earrings and ponytails? Keep reading »

Today’s Lady News: Army Appoints First Black Female Two-Star General

Today's Lady News
  • The US Army has appointed Gen. Marcia Anderson as its first-ever black female two-star general. Gen. Anderson is already the highest-ranking woman in the Army. Congratulations! [The Grio]
  • A federal judge has refused to block a law in Kansas that limits the availability of insurance coverage for abortions. The law, which went into effect in July, forbids health insurance companies from offering coverage for abortion in their basic plans. The judge claimed the ACLU failed to prove how the KS legislature intentionally approved the law to make it more difficult for women to have abortions. [New York Times]
  • First Lady Michelle Obama held a press conference this week with the National Science Foundation about the Career-Life Balance Initiative, which is aimed at women working in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The initiative seeks to aid women who want to advance in these male-dominated fields while also raising families. I know we have a bunch of Frisky readers who work in engineering, so I would love to hear your thoughts on this! [The Mary Sue] Keep reading »

9 Better Applications Of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Than To Military Personnel

Woo hoo! At exactly 12:01 a.m. this morning, the Pentagon repealed “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” the Clinton-era policy that said gays and lesbians could serve in the military as long as they kept their personal life a secret. Finally, the military has let go of this ridiculous policy—which led gay military personnel to have to weave intricate lies to cover up their sexuality and face discharge if they were outed—and adopted a zero tolerance policy toward anti-gay behavior. This morning, we got to read all sorts of heartwarming stories—like about Navy Lt. Gary Ross, who married his partner of 11 years at midnight as the policy was repealed. “This is Gary’s official coming out,” the justice of the peace said during the ceremony. [Slate, Newser]

We’re glad “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is no more. But there are certain circumstances in life where it is actually makes sense. After the jump, some places we plan to apply DADT in our daily lives. Keep reading »

Justin Timberlake Gets His Own Invitation To The Marine Corps Ball

Looks like Mila Kunis will be able to double date with Justin Timberlake when she goes to the Marine Corps Ball in November. Cpl. Kelsey De Santi has asked JT to attend the ball with her, much like Sgt. Scott Moore did for Mila. And Kelsey looks like she’s pretty cute! I say go for it, Justin. As Kelsey puts it, “And if you can’t go, all I’ve gotta say is: ‘Cry me a river.’ Hit me up.” [NY Daily News] Keep reading »