Women in Army special operations face “blatant sexism,” particularly among senior noncommissioned officers who say they dread the idea of working with women and would never respect a female superior, according to a lengthy internal study released by the service on Monday.
There are 2,300 women serving in Army special operations — mostly in support roles — making up 8% of a military community that includes Special Forces and Rangers. However, fewer than 10 women are Green Berets, with the first coming from the National Guard three years ago.
Overall, women have made significant strides in the military in recent years, with then-Defense Secretary Ash Carter finally opening all positions and occupations — including ground combat roles — to them in 2015 after generations of service. But the Army study indicates female soldiers still face sexism and discrimination in the most elite echelons of the military, where their numbers still remain relatively low.
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“I dread the day a woman arrives on a Team and I hope I am retired by the time that happens,” one noncommissioned officer, or NCO, wrote in a survey with anonymous comments that was included in the Army study.
The Army conducted the study in 2021 to identify key challenges for women in special operations. Numerous other soldiers, mostly NCOs, made similar, blunt and sexist…
