'Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps\r'

'Wowork mightiness’s soldiery aide army corps Take the wo manpower into the arm service, who then will do the cooking, the washing, the mending, the humble and crustal platey tasks to which every woman has devoted herself? From the m forthh of a man who was against women joining the Armed Forces of the United States during cosmos contendfares I (WWI) and II (WWII) (Monahan). In 1917, thousands of women served during World War I (WWI), ever so fighting a date to become dissociate of the United States Army, a struggle they were not winning (Monahan).They were nursing, backing and helping the military machine forces overseas, just they were not recognized. During that cadence period many an(prenominal) Army Officers put formal requests into the War discussion section to allow the recruitment and enlistment of women, trying to become a peak to establish a Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC). Secretary of War, due north D. Baker, disagreed with this sugg estion of a bill and the requests to establish a women’s service corps within the U. S. Army (Monahan).After the war was over the push for a WAAC was forgotten, out of sight out of mind, until World War II. The radical of the WAAC was to allow women into the Army and to try to create an capable environment for men and women from which the Constitution and the Declaration of independence says we are built upon. When WWII kicked off women were not con nervered erupt of the Army, but they were allowed to help with many different roles. This time period posed many opportunities for American women, two domestically as well as roles they could adopt in the war.A big issue that dominated women’s lives during this period was how to combine home-life with the new demands of the war deliverance in the public’s eyes. Women had made a few gains between WWI and WWII in the military in terms of the political influence; female workers were employ for short-term gains d uring the war, with a long-term goal of sightedness women return to the domestic sphere and reinforcing traditional sex roles (Crockrord).Women who chose to help the military in times of war had to obtain their own food and quarters, they had no sound protection or medical care and just about importantly they were not entitled to any theatrical role of disability benefits or pensions the Veterans were entitled to (Holm). Congresswoman, Edith Nourse Rogers of Massachusetts was mulish to change this, she introduced a bill on whitethorn 28, 1941, to establish a Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps, and the bill eventually succeeded because there was no air current of full status for women; which meant women would be ecognized as supporting the Army but they would mum not be a federal agency of the Army (Holm). She felt women and men should have the same benefits and should be treated equally. When the closing bill for the WAAC was presented both sides had to compromise, the wom en and the men’s side serving in the military (Bellafaire). The bill passed, and the bill passing meant that women would be allowed to serve with the Army but they still would not go the same fabricate or promotions and lot of the benefits that the men received. They did however receive food, uniforms, living quarters, minimal pay and medical care.There was likewise a lot of focus on preventing women from attaining gritty rank and on placing women in positions where they could give orders to men (Bellafaire). For example, although the duties of a WAAC first officer were comparable to those of a male captain, she received pay equivalent to that of a male first lieutenant (Bellafaire). Unfortunately, there were still many things that women had to overcome serving with the military. Men constantly criticized female soldiers, saying that they needed to be home with their family and community.They didn’t want a change and women in the military represented just that. The Office of security review ran a pole and discovered 84 per centum of soldiers’ letters mentioning the WAAC were unfavorable (Bellafaire). They were questioning the moral determine of women attracted to the military service and passed these beliefs to their families at home (Bellafaire). adept of the biggest challenges that were faced with the WAAC was the rumors. Most of the rumors were started because they many were trying to force women back to â€Å"their domestic lifestyles” (Bellafaire). some(prenominal) men started to say women of the WAAC were meaning(a) or were prostitutes; the women were often returned home based on the rumors and not factual evidence (Bellafaire). One novel that was told was that any soldier seen dating a WAAC would be seized by Army authorities and provided with medical interposition (Bellafaire). Though there were many rumors about the WAAC and they were low serious scrutiny, Congress opened a earreach in March 1943 on the conversi on of the WAAC into the regular(a) Army, hoping that it would help to mitigate the rumors and help the women become more than of an integral part of the Army (Holm).Army leaders asked for the strength to convert the WAAC into the Women’s Army Corps, which would be part of the Army itself rather than merely serving with it (Holm). On July 3, 1943 the WAC was signed into law and all WAAC’s were prone the choice of joining the Army as a member of the WAC or returning to civilian life. Many decided to join, 25 percent decided to get around the service (Bellafaire). Women in the military have been an implemental part of our history. The WAAC was the first step for them becoming part of the military.Looking at the bigger picture, whether women were a part of the WAAC, the WAC or just the plain old Army forthwith there will always be a place for women. Even in today’s world women constantly have to fight for their roles and to arouse themselves. The Declaration of Independents states, we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal (Jefferson), â€Å"men” is all people, including women. It is always a constant battle for equality, the WAAC was a confirmative step in that direction and it has only gotten better. workings CitedBellafaire, Judith. â€Å"The Women’s Army Corps: A anamnesis of World War II Service. ” www. history. army. mil/brochures/WAC/WAC. htm. CHM Publication, 17 Feb. 2005. Web. 29 June 2012. Crockrord, Vanessa. â€Å"Oveta Culp Hobby and Her â€Å"Lieutenants” Transformational Leadership in military action in the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps of World War II. ” Dissertation. 2003. Electronic. 29 June 2012. Holm, Jeanne. Women in the legions: An Unfinished Revolution. Novato: Presidio Press, 1982. Print. Monahan, Evelyn. A Few Good Women. untried York: Random House, 2010. Print.\r\n'