Gender and the Military

This week’s reading focused on the widespread issue of sexual assault and abuse in the military, and discusses the various implications that result from the constructions of masculinity and femininity that permeate throughout military regimes. Cynthia Enloe’s chapter, “Men in Militias, Women as Victims”, explores the existing male pressures to be masculine in the army, detailing the account of Borislav Herak, a Serbian man who later infamously is charged for what had come to be known as the “Bosnian rapes.” Investigating the processes and social institutions that led to this behavior, Enloe’s analysis illuminates the gendered dimensions of ethnic and nationalistic processes that shaped and informed the actions of Borislav and his fellow militia-men, actions that contradicted what they felt was right, but nevertheless motivated by the “warrior” element that is central to the modern cultural construction of Serbian masculinity. This pressure to “fit in” and adhere to Serbian constructions for gender performance illuminates the power in men’s fear of emasculation, a fear that compels men to engage in such military cultural practices without regard for what is morally right.

The following chapter, “Spoils of War”, she describes an event that occurred in September 1995, on the island of Okinawa, Japan, where three U.S. soldiers were charged for the assault and rape of a twelve-year-old girl. Enloe examines the patriarchal assumptions that encourage U.S. men in uniform to view women as “warrior’s booty” and engage in such behavior as sexual assault, harassment, and rape. She explains the widespread belief that soldiers have “uncontrollable sex drives” and that the military’s effectiveness may be compromised if these sexual desires are not satisfied, a view I believe is used as justification for the increasing commercialization and exploitation of women around military bases. Her analysis alarmingly reveals how U.S. military practices may not only condone but also facilitate the sexual abuse and exploitation of women.

Steven Lee Myers’ NYT article “A Peril in War Zones” further discusses issues of sexual abuse in the military, focusing on the experiences of Capt. Margaret H. White and her time served in Camp Taji. The article emphasizes the increasing prevalence of sexual abuse within the military, and how these issues are rarely confronted and appropriately addressed. Capt. Margaret discusses her experiences suffering from sexual abuse and harassment, and articulates her fear of coming forward about it because of the potential he-said-she-said recriminations that would reverberate throughout the military base, which may compromise the goals of the mission. Her experience is not an isolated one, as many women in the army are forced to suppress anxieties and concerns that emerge from sexual harassment for fear of repudiation, or even discharge. Women are often discouraged from voicing their opinions and experiences against sexual assault because they do not want to deal with the embarrassment and implications that may jeopardize their career if they speak up. However, I do feel optimistic about a more inclusive and just military in the future because of increasing numbers of women in our armed forces. As more women enter the forces and climb up the ranks, issues of sexual abuse and assault will have to be confronted and addressed. Cultural change requires a lot of effort, even more patience, but ultimately a defining presence is necessary. Given enough time, the presence of women in the military will grow louder, and their voices will be heard.