Female RAF recruits compensated for marching like men
Andy sends us a link from BBC which reports that three female Royal Air Force recruits were compensated by the Ministry of Defense (MOD) because they were required to march at an exaggerated (for them) pace in order to keep up with the men;
They claimed parading alongside taller male recruits caused them to over-stride and develop spinal and pelvic injuries, the Mail on Sunday reported.
It is understood they will receive £100,000 from the MoD.
The MoD said the RAF had now reviewed its recruit training practices to mitigate against the risk.
The women told the Mail on Sunday they had extended their strides to 30in (76cm) over several weeks while undergoing basic training.
RAF official policy now states female recruits should not be expected to extend the length of their strides beyond 27in (69cm).
The paper reported that lawyers for one of the recruits claimed the Ministry of Defence (MoD) had accused the three of exaggerating their symptoms during the five-year legal battle.
As well as marching in step with male colleagues at RAF Halton, in Buckinghamshire, the recruits claimed that carrying the same heavy packs as males had also contributed to their injuries, the paper reported.
Yeah, so you know what I’m thinking right now, so I really don’t have to do anything but leave this right here.
Category: Military issues
You can’t make this shit up. I pray for it to be a Duffle Blog story!!
I never got anything like that. The men couldn’t keep up with me. They whined, too.
GMAFB
Looks like it is a real story. This is a link to BBC news.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-25078544
Another good example of why co-ed military is just not a good idea. I remember basic when we formed up into formation, tallest in front-right, shortest in back-left. Those guys were as short as some women and they kept up. I just don’t get it. Can’t wait for this to put an idea in the mind of some American female troops.
Stride? You mean the camo high heels had nothing to do with it?
I’m sorry to say it, but this reinforces my mind. I don’t mean to sound sexist or anything, but I don’t think there should be separate standards for females. It’s not like combat is different for women than it is for men. If you can’t hump a ruck, can’t carry everything you need for a mission, and can’t most fast enough in full battle rattle, then you don’t need to be in the Army. Other branches should have similar policies.
But, that’s just my opinion, I could be wrong.
What? Do they actually stop and measure their stride? “Stop right now! That step you took was 2 inches short of the official stride! Nope, stop again! Now you’re one inch over!”
Good God.
Ok, listen up. I am a short individual. Even by female standards. Some people have even asked me if I needed a height waiver to get into the Army (I did not). I kept up during all runs, all marches, all everything. I’m the wrong person to complain to about having to take a 30″ stride to keep up.
It isn’t at all about “equal consideration”, but about “special consideration”.
Besides, the cargo planes make their butts look big.
Oh, good grief. I’m 5’3″ and marched with a 30″ stride just fine. For 11 years (7th grade thru college), I also did it while carrying a snare drum on my left leg.
I am so not impressed with their whining.
Can you imagine what the compensation would be for the men if they marched like the women …? An ass beating perhaps!
Just sayin’!
OK ladies … Lay it on me!
@12. Sashaying is not yet permitted, even though DADT is ended.
I’m 5’2″. I have 12-inch-square tiles on my kitchen floor. 2.5 tiles equal 30″, right?
If the stride is measured from the heel of the leading foot to the toe of the trailing foot, that’s 2.5 tiles, and I do not know too many people, including men, who walk like that, leaving that much empty space from one foot to another.
The correct way to measure it heel of trailing foot to toe of leading foot. For horses and unicorns, that’s hoofprint to hoofprint.
Most people do have a 30 inch stride, even if they don’t think so. On the other hand, most people don’t go on extended marches wearing spike heels.
If this is a real complaing, these women need their butts kicked. (By MCPO NYC Ret and maybe even Gunny Ermey.)
I often miss my dad, but I am glad he is not here to see what is going on!
He is probably in a constant heavenly time out for saying, “Jesus, Mary and Holy Saint Joseph … What the fu@k in holy hell is going on down there?
EX-PH2. You are off the table. You can march with any of us any time.
BLUF: Marching is stride, dicipline and endurance. Midget or tall goon anyone can do it. These females are probably fat, dumb and ugly along with finding their pelvic considerations for child bearing outweigh the needs of the military.
But what do I know.
Anyone (in Englandia or whatever your Dentist free country is properly called) familiar with what we did with every third right foot grind?
Then SHUT the FU@K UP!
Oh … KMRIA!
It’s either service related or its not. If they joined and became disabled while in service, there really is no need to try to fabricate some weird ass theory on WHY it happened or try to change standards. Short males have the same freeking problem.
For many womyn, it’s probably all about the pelvis.
That said, the first thing that popped into my mind was Monty Python’s “Ministry of Silly Walks” sketch.
The fish slapping dance.
My Company Commander in Basic was about 5ft5in tall and wore the tower of power. Funny he was able to keep up.
This is the direction that the U.S. military is going, much like our society, where any grievance has to be addressed in a court of law and monetary compensation has to be paid. This is sickening. And it will happen here before much longer.
Females falling out.
WHILE WALKING. Which is basically all marching is.
(facepalm)
Good God, what the hell is wrong with people?
How much did the rucks weigh and was it a 20k march?