Army Observes 30Th Anniversary of Integrating Wacs
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Multi-National Division - North www.1ad.army.mil Volume 2 Issue 09 Page 1 oct. 24, 2008 Army observes 30th anniversary of integrating WACs Story BY Melissa K. Wiford U.S. Military History Institue hirty years ago, on Oct. 20, 1978, TPresident Jimmy Carter signed Public Law 95-485 disbanding the Women's Army Corps as a separate corps within the United States Army following 36 years of dedicated service. Beginning today and until mid November, the Army will be celebrating the 30th anniversary of the full integration of Photo by Amy Perry women into the regular Army, said Lt. Col. Mike Moose, spokesperson for the Army's Congress until the United States was WAAC, drafted a bill which was endorsed Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, G-1. He attacked by Japan at Pearl Harbor in by General Marshall and introduced into said the G-1 is looking for former members December. Congress. Even though military status of the Womens Army Corps who might like In January 1942, Rogers added was again contested in the House, the bill to share their stories and memories with an amendment to her bill that would grant eventually passed, and President Roosevelt both internal and external audiences. women the same military status and benefits signed Public Law 78-110 on July 1, 1943, Originally established as the as men. Bitterly contested in Congress, the establishing the Women's Army Corps. Women's Army Auxiliary Corps, or WAAC bill only passed after it was decided that Even though the WAC provided the by President Franklin D. Roosevelt during women would not be given military status, Army dedicated and loyal service in World World War II, the WAC went through many and on 15 May 1942 President Roosevelt War II, it was scheduled to disband at the different organizational statuses throughout signed Public Law 77-554 establishing the end of hostilities. its history. Women's Army Auxiliary Corps. No cotingencies were developed Congresswoman Edith Nourse Recognizing that the United States to maintain the existence of the Women's Rogers of Massachusetts introduced Army could not provide benefits to the women Army Corps for service in the postwar Army legislation in May 1941 to establish a stationed overseas and that the auxiliary or future conflicts. This was immediately women's auxiliary to the U.S. Army based system had proved to be cumbersome, recognized as an oversight by many senior on the premise that the addition of women's General George C. Marshall, Chief of Staff Army leaders, to include Generals George labor would "free a man for combat," if and of the Army, requested that Congress give Marshall, Douglas MacArthur, and Dwight when the United States entered the war. women military status for the duration of the Eisenhower, who had come to depend on Even though Rogers compromised war. the WACs assigned to their commands. on the issues of women's military status and In January 1943, Congresswoman Rogers benefits, the legislation languished in and Oveta Culp Hobby, Director of the WAC Continued on Page 3 Page 2 oct. 24, 2008 Medical clinic gets much needed supplies Iraqi Army Soldiers help download medical and office supplies from an IA truck during a medical aid drop at Somer Medical Clinic, Mosul, Iraq, Oct. 18. More than $20,000 worth of supplies was delivered to the clinic by Soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 5th Brigade, 2nd Iraqi Army Division. Computer equipment, desks, because it helps humans in our sector,” Story and photos by PFC. Adam Blazak stethoscopes, and chairs were some said Maj. Hatam Ahmad, executive 11th Public Affairs Detachment of much needed delivered items. officer, 3rd Battalion, 5th Brigade, 2nd “Many things that we have are broken,” Iraqi Army Division. “We make sure medical aid drop took place at said Dr. Zrad Taher, the clinic’s head we have a good relationship with the ASomer Medical Clinic in the Mosul doctor. “Everything, which was brought people so they will support us more. neighborhood of Al Somer, Oct. 18. today is needed, including the water “We have given them things that Soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, dispensing machines.” He said many will help this poverty area,” he said. “In 5th Brigade, 2nd Iraqi Army Division times in the heat of the summer days the long term, we will see if people are transported nearly $20,000 worth of doctors at the clinic do not have cool satisfied with what we gave them.” medical supplies and office furniture, water available. “This will help so many After the mission, both the clinic’s which were purchased from the local people,” he said. staff and the Iraqi Army on the scene economy, to help the 90 plus staff Taher also spoke about the had high hopes for the future of the members at the clinic. strong relationship the clinic has with neighborhood. “A list of needed supplies came the Iraqi Army. “We’re glad to continue directly from the clinic,” said Mishawaka, Many times Iraqi Army Soldiers providing these services,” Ahmad said. Ind. native Staff Sgt. Jon. C. Anderstrom, come to the clinic for treatment, and “We should do these missions more civil affairs team noncommissioned- they are helped based upon the clinic’s often. Anything we can provide will be officer-in-charge, Company C, 415th capabilities, he said. helpful.” Civil Affairs Battalion. “This mission was important, Commanding General: Maj. Gen. Mark P. Hertling Contributing Writers: Spc. Adam Blazak, Melissa K. Wiford Public Affairs Officer: Maj. Margaret Kageleiry Layout and Design: Spc. Ryan Elliott, 14th PAD Public Affairs NCOIC: Master Sgt. Nancy Morrison Editor: Staff Sgt. Mark Albright, 14th Public Affairs Detachment Contact the Iron Strong at VOIP: 242-1190, DSN: 318-849-0089 or email [email protected] The “Iron Strong” is an authorized publication for members of the U.S. Army. Contents of the “Iron Strong” are not necessarily official veiws of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, Department of Defense, Department of the Army or the Task Force Iron. All editorial content of this publication is prepared, edited, provided and approved by the Task Force Iron Public Affairs Office. Page 3 oct. 24, 2008 as part of the answer to the shortages that the bill was passed, and the WAC was disbanded. WAC from Page 1 Army was projecting for the 1980s and 1990s Since the signing of PL 95-485 by President General MacArthur called WACs, "my in male recruitment. Many different studies Carter, women have been fully integrated into best soldiers," adding that "they worked harder, -- to include the: Women's Enlisted Expansion the Army. complained less, and were better disciplined Model, Women Officer Strength Model, Women than men." After many years of public debate Content in Units Force Development Test, and in response to a worsening international Women in the Army Study and Evaluation environment, Congress finally approved regular of Women in the Army -- were developed and reserve component status for women. On and conducted by the Departments of the June 12, 1948, President Harry S. Truman Army and Defense to examine whether signed Public Law 625, the Women's Armed rapid increases in women's recruitment Services Integration Act. would affect military readiness. During the next twenty years, the WAC Eventually the findings of these followed the Army's pattern of recruitment, different expansion studies, combined whereby in peacetime a small well-trained with the new expanded military occupation force of officers and enlisted members were specialties available to women through the maintained and during wartime a recall of reserve Combat Exclusion Policy, allowed women soldiers to active service was employed as well to further integrate into the Army. as increased recruitment. By 1978, the DOD and Congress These fluctuations remained the were fully committed to ending this last pattern until the early 1970s, when in response remainder of segregation within the Army. to President Richard Nixon's intention to reduce Senator William Proxmire of Wisconsin and eventually eliminate the drafting of men a proposed an amendment to the FY 1979 plan was developed to expand the WAC. Defense Procurement Authorization Bill The recruitment of women was seen which called for the end of the WAC. The Businesses reopen, life returning to normal in Jazeera One of those companies benefitting However, McLauehlan said the largest Story by from increased security is the Naqua Road boost is to the local economy because men Multi-National Division – North PAO Asphalt Factory, just west of Samarra. The are taking responsibility for the security of their owners of the business were forced to flee areas. ver the past few years, the Jazeera Desert more than three years ago; fearing insurgents “As more and more businesses open an Oarea west of the population centers in the would strong-arm them into providing financial increasing number of locals from this area and Salah ad Din province has been a thoroughfare assistance for criminal activity. surrounding ones will see how important security for insurgents. According to one of the owners, they is,” said McLauehlan. “Hopefully this will lead to They often traveled amongst the villages, feel secure enough now to continue with the them to be willing to step forward and assume intimidating locals and causing many to shut upkeep on the business and currently employs responsibility for the all the security of their areas. down their business and leave their homes. 45 workers. After more than a year of successful With its more than 50 pieces Coalition and Iraqi operations, and the of equipment, the company is able to development of Sons of Iraq groups in the provide road repair and construction Jazeera, the security has dramatically increased to a large area, centered on greater- and many have begun to migrate back.