Unfair Treatment? Or no?

[Anonymous]

I'm a 19 year old guy, just graduated high school last year and I'm taking a 3 week 'practice bootcamp' program... basically a short co-ed program designed for those who just graduated high school to see if military service would be right for them... basically it's 3 weeks of a mock bootcamp/introduction to see if it is something you want to consider.

Well the instructors/drill sergents are college students I believe and they have been a little unfair and I don't know if I should complain or deal with it.

We have a strict dress requirement and a few times not everyone was up to spec. In the morning the drill instructor has the group of us (about 40 guys and girls) line up for dress inspection. After finding a few problems, several times the drill instructor ordered all of the guys to strip on the field to just our boxer-briefs.

He then made us stand at attention for several minutes while he lectured on how to be properly dressed... while all of us guys were in just our boxers. Needless to say most of the girls were trying not to giggle watching us. Then he made us get dressed properly... all in the middle of the field.

My problem is, each time ONLY the guys are made to strip to their underwear! The girls are NEVER asked to remove any of their clothing, but they get to see all of us guys in just skimpy boxer underwear.

I'm not sure if I should 'man-up' and deal with it or complain? On one hand it seems unfair... but at the same time I understand girls are different with privacy and what they can handle. I know it's different for guys to be in boxers vs. girls in their undies... I don't know am I over-reacting?

[Anonymous]

Pretty sure that's standard procedure. Or maybe the drill instractor you got was just a hard-ass. Either way, you can expect more of that - I'd assume their goal is to encourage you guys to be as strong and "masculine" as possible, and that includes taking certain forms of gentle abuse like that. Think of it as hazing.

If they made the women strip down, I don't think they'd ever hear the end of it. Someone would probably find a way to classify it as harassment or exploitation.

[Asker]

Thanks for replying. So you think I'm making to big a deal of it I guess? Overall you would agree then that's it's one thing to make the guys strip, even in front of the girls then it would be to make the girls strip as well?

[Opinion Owner]

You're welcome... I mean, I understand why you'd find it unfair, but I think that's just how things are when it comes to certain tasks and professions. And yes, it's less of a big deal to make men strip in front of women than to make women strip in front of men. I'm sure the drill instructors/army officials realize that not only do women tend to have more insecurities than men, we also tend to be sexualized when naked and I'm sure they'd want to avoid a) decreased self-esteem after being forced to strip in front of men and b) sex/relationships between participants.

Basically, it's hazing. I'm sure the girls will eventually deal with some form of it, too.

[Asker]

Thanks. Yeah I know what you mean. It just seems unfair that all of the guys have to strip to nothing more then our boxers, while the girls not only get to stay fully clothed, but start giggling at us. But I guess your right... having guys strip to boxers in front of girls is one thing, but it wouldn't really be right to make girls strip in front of guys.

[Opinion Owner]

Honestly, the giggling is a sign of immaturity. They were probably laughing because half-naked guys make them nervous as opposed to actually laughing at your bodies.

[RationalLioness]

I think it seems a bit unfair. I'm sure they separate the men from the women in boot camp and the fact that those guys personally shamed some of you in front of women?

I can make an argument for both, but it doesn't seem like something the actual military would do IN FRONT OF women.

[springocelot]

That sounds unusual for military. I think the normal procedure is to do dress inspection in the barracks/dorms, where it's sex-segregated.

[Your_boss960]

Man up.

Men are more attracted to women than women are to men. It's no big deal if they see you like that, but if you see a woman with no clothes it's a big deal because you'd probably be looking at every single thing on her body.

[Your_boss960]

Anyways... It's still a little wrong... And they're college Instructors anyway, what did you expect

[9mfeo]

You're overreacting. That's what the military is like. If you can't handle it now, you won't be able to handle it later.

[Asker]

Thanks for replying. It's not so much that i can't handle it... it just seems unfair that only the guys are made to strip while the girls not only get to stay clothed, but get to watch us. You don't think that's unfair?

[9mfeo]

I think that's the military.

[Asker]

Being unfair is the military? So personally, do you agree with it?

[9mfeo]

I'm not military. But they're not exactly the models of fair treatment. Be glad you're not a woman who was raped by her CO.

[HyperOrphic]

It isn't right, but that is military life unfortunately. Also, they don't make the girls strip because of the difference in sexual harassment views on women compared to men.

[GirlsLie]

I think that's bullshit, if they made me do that as female I would flip the fuck out, why should it be any different for you.

[unicornsandglitter]

Yea, this isn't right. I'd google it and probably see for sure though.