Seeing as how females aren't really allowed in combat positions such as pj's are there any similar fields that we qualify for?

There have been female rescue divers in the coast guard

How about Coast Guard Aviation Survival Technician? You get to jump out of helicoptors and save people. There are 2 female ASTs!

Also some combat weather positions, although you can't be a direct combatant. With DoD policy the way it is, there's not a lot of jobs out in the mud for women.

Women in Combat Weather get to jump, but can currently only serve in positions equivalent to those where the US Army allows women jumpers to serve.

This means they can work at the Aviation Brigade HQ level, Division HQ level, and Corps HQ level. For the most part, they will never really be "in the mud," with the possible exception of working at a Forward Area Arming and Refueling Point (FAARP).

FYI - I was in Combat Weather when the first women were allowed in, and the first two were my direct supervisor, and her supervisor. **My personal opinion is** - Women were allowed into Combat Weather as both a figurative gesture of equality on the part of Air Weather Service, and a means to fill more jump positions. If they wanted to make a REAL step toward equality, they would have gender-neutralized the physical fitness requirements. After all, there are no women's parachutes, rifles, or rucksacks. Most of the women I have known in Combat Weather feel the same way, because they want a tangible means to prove they are as capable as the men. Having said all that, most of the women in Combat Weather excel at the job, within the confines in which they are kept. Obviously this is an issue which is way above our level here.

To get to your question... Probably the most "high-speed" position for women I can think of in all the services is US Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD).

USN EOD personnel are both jump and dive qualified, and among the elite of the US Navy. Although they are allowed, there's not many women serving in EOD, because it's extremely tough to complete the training requirements.

When I went to HALO school, there were quite a few USN EOD personnel in my class, so that training is apparently an additional option for fully-qualified personnel.

Check it out, and see what you think.

Additional positions you might consider:

1. US Army Psyops - All positions require Jump and language qualification, and all are at Fort Bragg with the 4th PSYOP Group. Many positions exist in the US Army Reserves, as well.

2. US Army Airborne - Many job options available, but you would want to go to Fort Bragg to remain on jump status. If jumping is your goal, go for being a parachute rigger, and try to get assigned to the Special Warfare Command (SWC). SWC female riggers can attend HALO school, and I jumped with one back in 1992 on a trip to Canada. If you get HALO qualified, you can later apply to be a HALO instructor. There was one at the school when I attended in 1990.

3. USN or US Army Diver - I believe either service allows them. In the Navy, you can be a ship's diver, or a construction diver in the SEABEES. The Army's divers are in transportation units. Last I knew (1995), they had a detachment of Army divers in the Sinai, training soldiers how to do recreational dives. Awesome assignment, if you can get it.

Long post, but I hope it has been helpful. Good luck, and God Bless!

You could always be a PJ groupie, there's a serious shortage of them!

Lighten up--it's just a joke!

Marty,

I am rolling on the floor laughing my balls off.
that will get a response.....
Pd

OUT

JR was right about that Navy EOD job. I did a few jumps and a TDY (sorry, TAD) with a few in Guam and they were good. Tough job with tough people. If you make it on those teams, you are somebody. Good luck to you in whatever you decide.