Marines are moving gradually to integrate women and men in boot camp
By Lolita C. Baldor, The Associated Press
Oct 8, 10:20 AM
PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. — Under a scorching sky at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, two young recruits grapple awkwardly in hand-to-hand combat inside an Octagon training structure. Circling them, the drill instructor barks orders, “Hit her! Punch her! DO something!”
Outside the ring, a mix of male and female Marine hopefuls are helping each other put on protective headgear, preparing for their turn at combat. They are assigned to one of the mixed-gender recruit companies as the Marine Corps moves gradually — and at times reluctantly — to more integrated training at boot camp.
It’s been a bit hit-and-miss.
While companies of men and women train together at the ring, on the obstacle course or at the range, the line of recruits outside the swimming pool presents a sharp contrast. There the companies are broken up into their smaller platoons that remain separated by gender. So as they line up, there is a small group of women standing rod-straight at the front with groups of men in formation behind them.
https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-marine-corps/2023/10/08/marines-are-moving-gradually-to-integrate-women-and-men-in-boot-camp/
