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As an MST survivor, and an unwittingly assimilated successful Soldier across a 15-year career, I was thoroughly impressed by the scope of this book. My passion in training and developing talent was cut short due to sexism in the military. While this at times was a difficult read due to personal experiences with sexism it ultimately is a story of tremendous courage in fighting for those that lost the will to fight. There is just so much to unpack here as is the contents of the invisible backpack that Doris equates to the baggage that Soldiers carry when their stories of suffrage and mistreatment through sexism are mutilated and often become a double-edged sword for the victim.
I myself, like Doris prior to taking the job as the Equal Opportunity Manager for the State of Vermont didn’t recognize my incredible ability to assimilate into an organization. It is a subtle, unconscious bias even toward ourselves, because to admit assimilation in some way takes away the uniqueness of our ability to rise through the ranks when so few women do. The male dominant power structure has a similar unconscious bias, it is the “like me bias”. The gravitational pull we feel toward similar people. As Doris describes, it is apparent in the hiring and developing talent practices, as much as the disciplinary practices. I believe many leaders of the Vermont National Guard and other military units do believe they are doing the right thing, but the reason they so boldly oppose oversight is that even though they don’t believe they are unconsciously bias, they at the same time are smart enough to know oversight will arbitrarily remove the blinders.
I could relate to each story of sexism, there were so many common trench holes and Doris keeps you captivated through her incredible ability to write with such pure emotion the struggles of fighting for a cause she could not ignore. Her tenacity throughout the years yielded national attention and yet her bosses continue to dismiss her.
Doris frames the problem statement so clearly in this memoir, she breaks down how the organization created the problem and then how its obvious dysfunctional response is a barrier to top talent. The military cannot police itself, as she states it, you cannot write your own report card and at the same time claim transparency. Commanders all the way to the top hide between the articles of the UCMJ. They are uniquely able to pick and choose which articles to apply and which Soldiers to hold accountable. Doris proves time and time again through the years how the system is able to manipulate the results and blatantly shut her down and silence her over and over again, right up to and even after her 35 year career with 14 years as the equal employment manager. You would think an organization that touts mission ready top talent would see the value in her continued service and expertise in the subject matter, certainly 4-star generals on a national level did, yet the 1 and 2 star generals somehow missed this and even manipulated and reprimanded her for her tenacious efforts.
I felt the great sense of loss at all the talent that left the organization solely because of this issue, and how it’s clear to see, void of sexism and following the process this could be a highly effective organization with the most talented pool of warriors available.
The solution is laid out with gender equality accountability because the military cannot continue to police itself. It is an organization made up of people, who have brains, therefore there is and always will be bias.
I feel honored to know Doris, I am impressed with her tenacity and commitment to writing this book, her belief in the cause and tribute to the future Soldiers of America.
Cindy Marie Kingsley
Vermont Army National Guard Veteran
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