The Women’s army corps
The Largest and worst battle was the World War II. Its implications were immense and affect our lives up-to-date and touches on our social, political and military facets of life. World war II is has remained the concern to military scholars and historians as well as veterans though its impact is much more than just use of weapons but global strategy and military preparedness.
Women served in the military throughout the Americans Revolution conflicts. It is World War II that opened doors for them to serve in an official capacity. Their participation in the war had largely been denied till no other option was available when the men realized that the women’s participation would be of great importance. This would ensure that they win the war.
Besides Nurses the over 100,000 women who participated in the World War II were the first to serve in the army in a ranked position. Change is not always easily accepted and thus this was not easy for anyone to accept especially the notion of women in uniform. Political and military leaders who had the hard time coordinating supplies and all arms for the war at the same time sending lease materials to their allies thus saw the importance of the extra hand from the women. This was a desperate situation for them and women took the opportunity very well and at the end of the war their contribution was immeasurable.
The Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps
In the early 1941 General George C.Marshall, the Army's Chief of Staff was approached by Edith Rogers about the bill of the introduction of women Corps. This was to be distinct, different and unique from the already existing nurse’s Corps.
He remembered their participation in World War I and the fact they did not have benefits like medical care, quarters and had no legal protection. When they returned home they were not entitled to any benefit like the other veterans. He put all his efforts in ensuring that it never happens again. If women ever participate in war again they would have equal rights with their male counterparts. Same benefits, legal protection, quarters, disability benefits and many other benefits available to US military veterans.
The larger society had slowly seen the role women played and favored the creation of a women’s corp. thus this largely influenced. Army leaders supported Rogers to create an organization that they deemed not a danger to the Army’s existing culture. The army refused to accept women as full officers and their equals serving with them, though Rogers was of the opinion that they get equal pay, benefits pension and disability benefits. This was highly refuted.
They finally came into an agreement that brought a compromise between the two sides. The women’s Army Auxiliary Corps was formed. The Army’s main role was to work with the army providing national defense skill and special training and the suggested number was 150,000. These women were given provisions for uniforms, living quarters, pay and medical care. The women were never allowed to command men. They received less pay than their male colleagues of the same rank. The topmost ranked were given captains and lieutenants. This was rather unfair since their duties and responsibilities were the same.
Some issues were overlooked in the comprise WAAC bill, since they did not deter women from serving overseas yet they had no provision for overseas benefits and protection that the regular male counterpart had and needed in case of capture. Rogers achieved some of her goals though she needed to compromise a lot to get the bill to an agreeable level.
Rogers re introduced her bill again but it failed tremendously in May 1941 until the Japanese attack at the Pearl Harbor. With assistance from General Marshal congressional testimony her bill went through. He believed that they would eventually ran out man power and argued why would they spend resources training men to type and switchboard operations whereas we have readily available trained women.
After a long debate where most argued if women did those communications jobs who then would carry on with the typical women chores for instance cooking, cleaning etc. Finally the bill went through and was endorsed by |President Franklin. Roosevelt after senate’s approval on may 14th.
Oveta Culp Hobby was appointed as the first Director of the WAAC after the bill became law. She had really played a big role in ensuring the WAAC bill went through congress. She became a center of admiration as the wife of former Texas governor when she publicly testified her support and favor of the WAAC bill in January,
The next issue was about women corps not giving birth and if one did they would be dismissed this became an issue of public interest. Oveta had to fight this and explained that the corps would also be trained in noncombatant military job and therefore they don’t always have to be in for combat. She always said that women will do the type of jobs they do as civilians help men succeed and that was to be their role in the army.
Conclusion
More than 150,000 women participated in the World War II and their main role was to perform non combatant military jobs for which they were trained. This created efficiency and freed men to perform their most suited jobs combatant duties
References
Bellafaire, Judith A. (1972).The Women's Army Corps: A Commemoration of World War II Service. Washington, DC: United States Army Center of Military History.CMH Publication 72-15.
Holm, Jeanne (1994). Women in the Military: An Unfinished Revolution. Presidio Press. ISBN 0-89141-450-9., popular history
