Combat Exclusion

Latest Episodes:

Combat Multipliers: Colleen Farrell Sep 13, 2022

Show notes

Colleen Farrell, former Marine Captain, joins us to talk about her experiences on the Female Engagement Teams and her involvement in the lawsuit that led to the eventual repeal of the Combat Exclusion Policy. The grit and determination she and her Marines displayed in the face of a policy that kept them from accomplishing their mission downrange is unparalleled. She expertly outlines why the Combat Exclusion Policy impacted mission readiness and individual careers and illustrates why she felt compelled to join the lawsuit to repeal this policy. Moreover, she shows us that women offer different capabilities than men have that allows them to be an asset on the battlefield. Her testimony inspires us all to show personal courage to stand up for what feels right for an organization we care so deeply about.

Two lawsuits were filed against the US Department of Defense, the ACLU lawsuit and the one Professor Coughlin worked on (NAME). The Department of Defense repealed the Ground Combat Exclusion Policy shortly after these cases were filed. The ACLU lawsuit is still on-going. Colleen is no longer involved in this case.

Glossary:

MOS: Military Occupational Specialty

Impact Litigation: Law Professor Anne Coughlin Sep 06, 2022

Show notes

University of Virginia Law Professor Anne Coughlin joins us this week to discuss the origins of the Molly Pitcher Project, a project that started in a law classroom and grew into real world change. She walks through how her and her students built out the legal foundations of the case as a classroom assignment. Her reflections on how her students committed themselves to litigating this case in real life, beyond the classroom, reminds us that we can effect change even as students. Her thoughtful consideration of how a potential lawsuit would impact women displays a true commitment to creating meaningful and needed change without losing sight of the people they were representing. Her and her students are an example to us all (especially to those first year law students like us) that sometimes when you think that someone should bring this case to court… that person is you.

Read more about her and her team:

https://www.law_.viriginia.edu/news/2011_fall/women_in_combat.htm

https://www.law.virignia.edu/news/2013_spr/pitcher_update.htm

https://www.law.virignia.edu/news/2013_spr/combat_exclusion_lifted.htm

Read about the Army’s response to Dobbs:

https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3077695/dod-official-no-changes-to-womens-essential-health-care/

You're Better Than That: COL (R) Mary Forbes Aug 30, 2022

Show notes

This week a very special guest joins us! COL (R ) Mary Forbes, Johanna’s mom, joins us this week to talk about her 26 year long career in the Army and her lifelong commitment of service. She shares challenges and victories with candor and humor as she reflects on the things that taxed and toughened her. She highlights how the support of her leaders set the conditions she needed to be successful. She also spends time talking about life after the uniform, providing essential information about supporting our veterans. She offers a new tool for our tool kit when we face sexism and unprofessional behavior – keep it simple, know your worth, and hold your ground. Join us this week for stories from an “Old Grad” that resonate across the years.

Find Mary Forbes’ oral history at West Point Center for Oral History https://www.westpointcoh.org/interviews/taxed-and-toughened-achieving-balance-in-a-dual-military-family

Glossary:

ADA: Air defense artillery

TOC: Tactical operations center

Title 10 - Regular Army

Title 32 - National Guard

Be Better: Kris Fuhr Aug 22, 2022

Show notes

This week Kris Fuher shares her personal experiences as an early graduate of an integrated West Point. Kris has been a pioneer for gender integration. From her own service to the work, she does today in supporting as women through Ranger School, her name is frequently on the lips of anyone who is anyone in the gender integration arena. Mentioned multiple times in our discussions with other women on this podcast, Kris is a legend among us. Her relentless pursuit of creating a more inclusive Army has paid dividends for all servicemembers, but most especially servicewomen. She reminds us that “if we quit, they will win.” In an Army where winning matters, Kris challenges us all to “be better” in our pursuit of creating a more lethal fighting force.

Find Kris Fuhr’s oral history at West Point Center for Oral History : https://www.westpointcoh.org/interviews/locking-shields-surviving-west-point-as-a-woman

West Point's First Female General Officer: BG (R) Rebecca (Becky) Halstead Aug 15, 2022

Show notes

BG (R) Halstead shares her experiences through the breadth and depth of her career. A woman who spent the majority of her career as a “first,” Becky is a true pioneer for gender integration. Not only did she break through glass ceilings herself, she took part in gender integration efforts that paved the way for the repeal of the combat exclusion policy. Her example reminds us all to never give up and to embrace challenges with humor.

Becky is an author and a leader in her community. You can find her book, “24/7: The First Person You Must Lead Is You (Steadfast Leadership Series)” wherever books are sold. Her website is https://www.beckyhalstead.com/ where you can read more about her inspirational leadership speaking series.

She's (Not) Just Another Navy Pilot: Loree Draude Aug 14, 2022

Show notes

As much as we hate to admit that Navy beat Army…History tells us that before the Army integrated its ground forces in combat, the Navy integrated the sky. Loree Draude was among the first female naval aviators to fly in combat and offers her experiences and wisdom as she reflects on a life of service to the nation. Her story shows us that the fight for gender inclusion is born on the backs of supportive and willing leaders who see potential and talent above all else.

She is an author, a leader, and a mother. Find her book “She’s Just Another Navy Pilot,” wherever books are sold.
Glossary:

NFO: Naval Flight Officers

NATOPS: Naval Air Training and Operating Procedures Standardization (NATOPS)

The Woman In The Arena: COL (R) Ellen Haring Aug 14, 2022

Show notes

COL (R) Ellen Haring joins us this week to discuss her deep commitment to gender integration. She speaks to both her own individual experiences and also the experiences of the first cohort of combat arms women, who she has studied at length through interviews over the past five years. Her perspective, steeped in research and evidence, compels all of us to be data driven in how we approach problem solving to make our Army more inclusive. A true leader among us, COL (R) Haring has dedicated her life to making the Army a place where women can succeed – join us in hearing her story.

Introducing: Combat Exclusion Jun 27, 2022

Show notes

Just ten years ago, the potential repeal of the Combat Exclusion Policy painted headlines across the country; now, the first wave of "combat arms" women are facing a decisive point in their career, asking themselves – should I stay or should I go?
This summer, join Chandler and Johanna as they interview the women and men on the frontlines of the US military's gender integration efforts over the last decade, illuminating the realities of its successes and failures.
Whether a member of the military community, a loyal supporter, or a curious citizen interested in this policy decision's human impact and real outcomes – Combat Exclusion is for you.

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