STONewsArchive: Integration of Women into Ground Combat Units

Title: Integration of Women into Ground Combat Units
Start_Publishing: 06/04/2021
Panel_Page: SAS
Page_ID: 3802
Main_Body_Multi:
Infantry soldiers-in-training conduct close quarters battle training at Fort Benning, Georgia. The Infantry One Station Unit Training class that graduated on May 19 2017 was the first to include female recruits. (Patrick A. Albright/Army) U.S. Army Times, Feb 4, 2018.
Last week, STO Research Task Group SAS-120 titled “Integration of Women into Ground Combat Units” completed their Technical Report leveraging existing research to contribute new knowledge with particular application to integration into ground combat roles. With this effort the team is making significant contribution to the operational effectiveness of mixed gender combat teams/units as well as military policy decisions and public awareness. The Research Task Group, led by Defence Research and Development Canada, brought together experts from Canada, Sweden, United Kingdom and United States.




The team concluded that there is a developing body of research related to the integration of women into military organizations; however, the inclusion of women in ground combat roles presents unique challenges for individuals and military organizations. In support of such initiatives, it is important to identify best practices, collect empirical evidence and collate lessons learned to support the participation of women in combat roles and to better understand the impacts of gender integration.


The SAS-120 Technical Report covers the influence of social, cultural, and psychological factors of gender integration in ground close combat units and their impact on combat effectiveness, the effective processes and strategies for the integration of women in ground close combat units, appropriate methodologies for monitoring, measurement and assessment of integration; and best practices through collaboration. The analysis presented throughout the report places significant emphasis on gender integration within the context of culture change.


This report suggests that there are several shared priorities and challenges for culture change. Notwithstanding the differences that will be adopted across nations, it is important to commit to a clear strategy for measurement and monitoring at the initial stages of integration, as well as accountability for mid to longer term monitoring of impacts, outcomes and opportunities related to shifting awareness, practices and behaviors at unit levels, and culture-based beliefs, values and assumptions across sub-cultures.


The full report is available from the NATO STO website. It includes an annotated bibliography, a categorized research bibliography, and a summary of the NATO STO Research Symposium on the Integration of Women Into Ground Combat Units (reference SAS-137) which was organized in February 2019 at Marine Corps Base Quantico. For more information on the SAS-120 and SAS-137 research activity, please contact the SAS Panel Office.

Page_Intro: Last week, STO Research Task Group SAS-120 titled “Integration of Women into Ground Combat Units” completed their Technical Report leveraging existing research to contribute new knowledge with particular application to integration into ground combat roles. With this effort the team is making significant contribution to the operational effectiveness of mixed gender combat teams/units as well as military policy decisions and public awareness. The Research Task Group, led by Defence Research and Development Canada, brought together experts from Canada, Sweden, United Kingdom and United States.

 

HomePageImage: 2021-SAS-120-Infantry-Soldiers-in-Training.jpg
HomePageBodyText: Infantry soldiers-in-training conduct close quarters battle training at Fort Benning, Georgia. The Infantry One Station Unit Training class that graduated on May 19 2017 was the first to include female recruits. (Patrick A. Albright/Army) U.S. Army Times, Feb 4, 2018.
Last week, STO Research Task Group SAS-120 titled “Integration of Women into Ground Combat Units” completed their Technical Report leveraging existing research to contribute new knowledge with particular application to integration into ground combat roles. With this effort the team is making significant contribution to the operational effectiveness of mixed gender combat teams/units as well as military policy decisions and public awareness. The Research Task Group, led by Defence Research and Development Canada, brought together experts from Canada, Sweden, United Kingdom and United States.





 
The team concluded that there is a developing body of research related to the integration of women into military organizations; however, the inclusion of women in ground combat roles presents unique challenges for individuals and military organizations. In support of such initiatives, it is important to identify best practices, collect empirical evidence and collate lessons learned to support the participation of women in combat roles and to better understand the impacts of gender integration.



 
The SAS-120 Technical Report covers the influence of social, cultural, and psychological factors of gender integration in ground close combat units and their impact on combat effectiveness, the effective processes and strategies for the integration of women in ground close combat units, appropriate methodologies for monitoring, measurement and assessment of integration; and best practices through collaboration. The analysis presented throughout the report places significant emphasis on gender integration within the context of culture change.



 
This report suggests that there are several shared priorities and challenges for culture change. Notwithstanding the differences that will be adopted across nations, it is important to commit to a clear strategy for measurement and monitoring at the initial stages of integration, as well as accountability for mid to longer term monitoring of impacts, outcomes and opportunities related to shifting awareness, practices and behaviors at unit levels, and culture-based beliefs, values and assumptions across sub-cultures.



 
The full report is available from the NATO STO website. It includes an annotated bibliography, a categorized research bibliography, and a summary of the NATO STO Research Symposium on the Integration of Women Into Ground Combat Units (reference SAS-137) which was organized in February 2019 at Marine Corps Base Quantico. For more information on the SAS-120 and SAS-137 research activity, please contact the SAS Panel Office.


Created at 06/04/2021 15:39 by ad.rodes
Last modified at 08/04/2021 11:04 by ad.rodes
 
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