Showing posts with label Italians. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Italians. Show all posts

Sunday, March 13, 2016

Women in the Military

Italian Female Soldier (DVIDS)

New Issue - PRISM. The Center for Complex Operations of the National Defense University (NDU) has posted a new issue of PRISM, Vol. 6, No. 1, 2016. This quarterly publication has a wealth of articles on many topics. This specific issue, 214 pages long, is entitled "Women, Peace, & Inclusive Security". Some of the articles explore the use of Female Engagement Teams (FETs) and Cultural Support Teams (CSTs) as well as female members of the National Guard's Agribusiness Development Teams in Afghanistan. Also profiled are female members of military units from NATO and around the world.

U.S. Female Soldier in Pre-Ranger Training (DVIDS)

Lower PT Standards for Females in Rangers? According to one news article posted on SOFREP.com the Ranger Regiment & school are now adopting different physical fitness standards for men and women who will enter training for Ranger School and once assigned to the Ranger Regiment. Apparently the regiment is moving to an "Army Physical Fitness Test" (APFT) that is not 'one size fits all'.

The new annual requirement for someone assigned to the Ranger Regiment according to SOFREP.com is "2 x APFTs (min 60 points in ea. event, scaled by age & gender) IAW Army Regulations". So, at age 17-21, men are required to do the minimum of 53 sit-ups, 42 push-ups, and a 15.54 two-mile run; women are required to do the minimum of 53 sit-ups, 19 push-ups, and a 18:54 two-mile run. See the current "Army Physical Fitness Test Scorecard" for the different physical standards by gender and age group.

If true, this is truly disconcerting news. Read "Proof that standards will be dropped for females entering the 75th Ranger Regiment"SOFREP.com, March 7, 2016.

Army's Gender Integration Implementation Plan. The U.S. Army's plan is a detailed approach for integrating women into all military occupational specialties (MOSs). The paves the way for female Soldiers to serve in the Infantry, Armor, and Special Forces.
www.army.mil/standto/archive_2016-03-10

Most Marines Opposed to Women in Combat Units. "A survey of nearly 54,000 members of the Marine Corps found that two out of three male Marines and one out three female Marines were opposed to opening all combat jobs to women." Read more in "How big is opposition to women in combat units among Marines? This report explains.", The Washington Post,  March 10, 2016.

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

173rd Helps Train Italians for Resolute Support

The 173rd Airborne Brigade (stationed in Italy) are assisting elements from the Italian Army for their upcoming deployment to Afghanistan (Resolute Support) where they will conduct a Security Force Assistance mission. The 173rd was recently deployed to Wardak and Logar provinces in Afghanistan and has recent combat experience. Classes were held in the Aosta Valley, Italy - home of the Italian Army's mountain warfare training center and school. The training consisted of military-to-military advising, counterinsurgency, and MDMP. The Italians will be advising the Afghan National Army (ANA). Read more in "US assists Italian hosts prior to Afghanistan deployment", DVIDS, October 16, 2014.

Friday, November 19, 2010

Security Bubbles in Afghanistan - Can They Last?

The concept of pushing coalition forces out to small outposts in the rural parts of Afghanistan has been implemented across the country.  These small outposts are sometimes referred to as "security bubbles".  Read about one such security bubble that Italian troops are manning in Bala Murghab, Afghanistan.  See "In Afghanistan, Can NATO's Security Bubbles Last?", NPR, November 17, 2010.