Females and minority

[Entr0py]

I‘m a sixteen year old female and visible minority, and I‘m aiming for PRes this summer, specifically Governor General‘s Foot Guards. Discrimination issues aside, what I‘m really afraid of are the sexual harrassment/rape cases that‘s been reported before. I‘m sure the Guards have more integrity than that, but it‘s Basic I‘m afraid of. It‘s actually scaring me more than training part, heh. Can any female infanteers help put my mind to rest? Please email/PM me if you feel there‘s something you shouldn‘t post in public.

 

[Redeye]

Most of your BMQ course will be done with the GGFG (depending on exactly how the training is going to be conducted - it changes all the time). I don‘t know what stories you‘re referring to as the source of your worries, but in the PRes I know quite a number of female members of various trades, and while some of them have been victims of harrassment, those who are the perpetrators are severely punished. Don‘t be scared. Keep your wits about you and speak up if something happens and you‘ll do just fine.

As for your other question, the GGFG is strictly an infantry unit, although there are generally members of the Logistics trade intermixed into all garrisons as clerks and the like. I‘m presuming you live in Ottawa which means you could consider Engineering with 3 Field Engineering Squadron, Armoured with the Régiment de Hull, and Artillery with 30 RCA.

Good luck!

 

[onecat]

"Discrimination issues aside, what I‘m really afraid of are the sexual harrassment/rape cases that‘s been reported before"

CF is not full of backwards thinking people. I doubt the chances of you being raped or sexually harassed is no higher in the CF than it is at any other work place or university for that matter. The CF has very strict standards in place,and any member who comment an act like that is punished quickly; as long as you tell someone. Also remember if someone in the CF is making you uncomfortable with their actions, tell them; there is a good a chance they don‘t know what effect that behavior is having on you. It goes for both sexes, as just today I heard on the radio that a female police officer in Hamilton was charged with assaulting her husband..

 

[Long in the tooth]

I have instructed the SHARP (Harassment and Racism Prevention) program for new recruits for the last five years. We have come a long way in the last 10 years in understanding morals and ethics, what the public expects, and how we should treat each other. Gone are the days when a harasser could get away with excuses such as "I didn‘t know" or "I did nothing wrong". Now the senior officers have a policy, they know the Junior Officers and Sr NCOs know, and they all know the new troops are aware and what they can do.
As well, there are now disciplinary and administrative provisions under the National Defence Act and National/Provincial Workplace standards that didn‘t exist. The previous standard was essentially if it was sexual assault it was a criminal act, and if that threshold could not be met, the perpetrator got off without consequence.
I appreciate your doubts; at one time (depending on the persons involved) they may have been well founded. You will find that if you have any problems today that you will be listened to, taken seriously, an investigation WILL be conducted, and action (possibly administrative or corrective in nature, not just disciplinary) quickly taken.
Good Luck in your Military Career.

 

[portcullisguy]

EntrOpy,

Having just finished SQ and Infantry this summer, and having the honour to be on course with several Foot Guards, whom I now consider comrades - men and women, I can say that you are joining a good regiment with respectable members.

You will not have any problems.

The conduct you mentioned is just simply not tolerated in the armed services.

Good luck in your future endeavours!

 

[whatfear]

Ya I in the same boat, though am not part of a minorty I am 16 and hope to join when I turn 18. But I read some therds and some got me discouraged, and I asked this in another site but is it whorth it?

 

[Jarnhamar]

Your going to be harassed sometime through out your adult life. Any job you take will have it. Int he military theres a very low tollerence for it so in one aspect you‘ll get it a lot less in the army

 

[ducimuscapt]

From my experience, the initial standard that females set and stick to dictate the outcome.

If you conduct yourself in a professional manner, on and off duty you will gain the respect and knowlege that is required for a soldier (guardsman) regardless of your gender.

It is first and foremost the responsability of the females at the outset to set the limits and boundries and never waver.

Your conduct, your high standard will dictate the response you get.

 

[Excolis]

i am sure you will do fine. i have found that many of the female cadets joining reserves/reg force, have had a great success rate.

 

[Jarnhamar]

"i have found that many of the female cadets joining reserves/reg force, have had a great success rate."

Won‘t even touch that one

 

[OLD SCHOOL]

Touch one, go straight to jail.