As a woman … I do:
Here is a good uplifting message 🌹
Many years ago:
Division run.
Major (XO) looked over & said: “Hey W, you good?”
Me: “Yes, Si…”
And off that Ranger went. He swiftly ran right & I had to follow & catch up with my guide-on (the flag on the pole) in my arms. My shorter legs moved hastily. He didn’t let up. (Thankful for that) Around the battalion we went. Roughly 500 service members… Me: Almost falling down a gravelly hill (or fall off & really be in a world of hurt) only to race him back to the front. Took my place next to him. He laughed.
Blissfully recalling how happy I was to know despite my smaller frame & younger body-I had been able to keep up.
He was one of the best leaders I ever had in the military. Why?
Looking back I realize he could have easily outrun me. Crushed my youthful spirit. FFS, he was a Ranger at an age where physically* he was in peak condition. 🤭 *based on studies
That day he chose an alternate way to lead. He chose to make it challenging (for me) while not embarrassing me in front of the entire battalion. Not to mention the Division.
Many times in the military there have been moments of shame. There is always a destruction done to build your strength of character & endurance. He knew that.
At 20, I hadn’t yet learned it would be a career lesson. As a young woman: my mind & heart were proving that I could Be. Know. & Do. Any and Every thing (most) male soldiers could.
Perhaps he knew I’d continually face different types of hardships that he hadn’t based on the fact I was female. Possibly even knew the statistics that said as a female the rates of sexual assault were almost guaranteed. I’ll never know.
This I do know. He signed the paperwork for my green-to-gold scholarship. He chose to recommend a woman. At that time I had excellent PT scores, mentality & perseverance. All of that served me well in my career.
Still now I can hear the voices of men who were upset when I was “given” a “hip-pocket” scholarship by the (redacted FFS PLEASE LET THIS BE REDACTED) commander.
“You don’t deserve it. You’d have never received this if you were a man. You are ruining someone else’s career by trying to prove something.” Many more insults but you understand.
