Susan's Place Transgender Resources

General Discussions => General discussions => Polls => Topic started by: Chaunte on February 06, 2008, 10:09:22 PM

Poll
Question: Are you or were you in the military or emergency services?
Option 1: I am/was an Active Duty Soldier.
Option 2: I am a Combat Vet.
Option 3: I am/was in Special Ops Vet (SAS, Navy SEAL, Marine Recon, etc.)
Option 4: I am/was in the Reserve Forces
Option 5: My profession is/was in Emergency Services (Police, Fire Fighter, Ambulance, SAR etc.)
Option 6: I am/was a volunteer in Emergency Services
Title: Military / Emergency Service Duty
Post by: Chaunte on February 06, 2008, 10:09:22 PM
I know we have done this poll before.  However, with all the new members that have joined, it might be good to revist this question.

Click on all that apply.  You may change your vote.

I would like to place the POLL RESULTS in the book that I am writing.  I will NOT include any comments posted here unless you specifically give me permission in your comment.

Chaunte

I clicked the volunteer ES duty.  Airborne search and rescue.  I left because the "official" unofficial policy of the Civil Air patrol is prevent me from working with cadets (kids in grade 6 on up to age 21).  All of the units in this area are a mix of adults and cadets.  I wouldn't be able to do anything in the squadron or on a SAR mission - real or training.
Title: Re: Military / Emergency Service Duty
Post by: funnygrl on February 07, 2008, 03:47:51 AM
I'm currently working as an EMT since 1992, even though I don't know if I will as I continue to transition. I haven't decided whether or not to stay in healthcare. I was a volunteer Fire Fighter as well from 1992 to 2000...still have my turnout gear ;D

I've really enjoyed being of help to others, but the people that I've worked for over the years (management) have sucked so bad @ every job that it's been disillusioning @ times to say the least. Haven't really seen & done it all, but I've seen a lot of violent, bad stuff and was fortunate enough to be there when it happened and gave my best.

Right now I work for a local drug & alcohol detox center driving a city vehicle picking patients up that the police and local fire department agencies call us out for. My partners are usually EMT's as well on the van.

The company I work for is not supportive of anything within the LGBT community or anyone for that matter and the system here as a whole is not supportive of transgendered healthcare workers.

(feel free to use my comment in your research).
Title: Re: Military / Emergency Service Duty
Post by: Rachael on February 07, 2008, 05:04:59 AM
im aiming to join the regular police force when i graduate, does that count?
R :police:
Title: Re: Military / Emergency Service Duty
Post by: Hazumu on February 07, 2008, 07:29:22 AM
4 years Marine Air Wing.

16 years active duty in the 'guard.

My last unit was activated and sent to a combat zone (Bosnia).

=K
Title: Re: Military / Emergency Service Duty
Post by: Steph on February 07, 2008, 05:40:05 PM
30 year career in the Canadian Army with the Canadian Airborne Regiment (Yes I was a paratrooper), served in Cambodia, Vietnam, the first Gulf War, among others.

Steph
Title: Re: Military / Emergency Service Duty
Post by: Schala on February 08, 2008, 07:46:41 AM
There's no option to say you've never served? There's no Selectives Services in Canada, and the one thing that really got me off any career prospect in the army (including non-combat ones, since I'm pacifist) was the double standard of grooming regulations. Yes, I guess those are petty things to worry about, but it did take me over 6 years to grow my hair, I ain't about to shave it off just because I have a M somewhere, and trying to convince them not to is a war lost in advance. So I just never joined.
Title: Re: Military / Emergency Service Duty
Post by: Rachael on February 08, 2008, 08:37:18 AM
no option? well this is a thread for those who have, not havent.... threads dont ahve to be all inclusive ;)

i was  reserve forces in the uk for a year while at college... like your ROTC...
R >:D
Title: Re: Military / Emergency Service Duty
Post by: ssindysmith on February 08, 2008, 12:10:49 PM
17 years Law Enforcement, got into nursing, had to get EMT to be a flight nurse, crazy but true, it has to do with pre-hospital care and being first on scene they don't cover that stuff in nursing school.
Title: Re: Military / Emergency Service Duty
Post by: Schala on February 08, 2008, 03:06:11 PM
Quote from: Rachael on February 08, 2008, 08:37:18 AM
no option? well this is a thread for those who have, not havent.... threads dont ahve to be all inclusive ;)

i was  reserve forces in the uk for a year while at college... like your ROTC...
R >:D

I know, but how to get numbers on "who joined and who did not" if you only include those who joined? Are we to assume everyone joined the army, for the sake of this survey?
Title: Re: Military / Emergency Service Duty
Post by: Rachael on February 08, 2008, 07:43:38 PM
um, well the survey is how many people did... and  if you dont reply, then you didnt, therefore you werent....
seems simple to me...
go make a 'non militery evar thread'
R >:D
Title: Re: Military / Emergency Service Duty
Post by: Chaunte on February 08, 2008, 10:36:00 PM
Quote from: Schala on February 08, 2008, 07:46:41 AM
There's no option to say you've never served? There's no Selectives Services in Canada, and the one thing that really got me off any career prospect in the army (including non-combat ones, since I'm pacifist) was the double standard of grooming regulations. Yes, I guess those are petty things to worry about, but it did take me over 6 years to grow my hair, I ain't about to shave it off just because I have a M somewhere, and trying to convince them not to is a war lost in advance. So I just never joined.

The data I was after was more along the lines the transgendered population do serve, and this is where and how..

I think there is still a perception that all we do is dress up, prance around in heels and miniskirts saying, "Look at me!  Look at me!  I'm a girl!" 

Of course that is ridiculous.  Even so, I was reminded of the false stereotypes today.  We are looking to bring in a guest speaker for our student's in-service day of training.  The speaker we are looking at is going to speak on LGBT issues with the students as well as having a presentation for the public that night as well.  Funding is an issue.  I suggested that we talk to the local and regional gay alliance about helping to sponsor the speaker.  My department chair questioned whether we wanted to do that since that could invite pedophiles into the building.  The implication is that being LGBT is the same as being a child molester.  No, I didn't have to say anything - my principal did for me.

But you get my point.  We are considered sub-human by many.

I believe that showing that we are willing to place our lives on the line for our respective counties will only help being accepted.

However you do raise a valid point.  Thus I added a non-combatant and a non-emergency services button.

Chaunte


I exercised a woman's perogative to change her mind and removed the non-combatant line.  If you di9dn't serve or do emergency services work, then that is fine, but it is not the data I am after.
Title: Re: Military / Emergency Service Duty
Post by: Sarah on February 09, 2008, 12:19:53 AM
I think there should be another option for emergency services.
I said "Have not and no desire to serve in the military or in Emergency Services"
But that is actualy misleading.
I don't think teh two are the same.
I would not be in the military, but I would be more than willing to be on an emergency team if there was a need.

Sara
Title: Re: Military / Emergency Service Duty
Post by: Rachael on February 09, 2008, 04:34:40 AM
topics and polls have no need to be equal.. especially when the aim is to find out WHAT those who served did... now who did and didnt...
R >:D
Title: Re: Military / Emergency Service Duty
Post by: Steph on February 09, 2008, 09:47:38 AM
Quote from: Schala on February 08, 2008, 03:06:11 PM
Quote from: Rachael on February 08, 2008, 08:37:18 AM
no option? well this is a thread for those who have, not havent.... threads dont ahve to be all inclusive ;)

i was  reserve forces in the uk for a year while at college... like your ROTC...
R >:D

I know, but how to get numbers on "who joined and who did not" if you only include those who joined? Are we to assume everyone joined the army, for the sake of this survey?

The author of the topic/poll posed the question based on the information "they" are looking for.  Just because it doesn't include all the options members here may feel need to be included does not invalidate the poll.  If one doesn't feel the poll is valid then one doesn't have to reply to it.  Members are always free to start their own poll.

Please return to the topic in question

Steph
Title: Re: Military / Emergency Service Duty
Post by: NicholeW. on February 09, 2008, 09:53:47 AM
I spent four years active duty in US Army. They sent me to language school and assigned me to the nation of my target language. Hated the army, but loved the time I spent overseas. Plus, I never had to try and shoot anyone. Nor was I shot at.
Title: Re: Military / Emergency Service Duty
Post by: RebeccaFog on February 18, 2008, 05:19:30 PM
two years mechanized infantry like about 1981-82.

Big GID episode before I knew who I am.  Ugh
Title: Re: Military / Emergency Service Duty
Post by: Ell on February 18, 2008, 05:22:15 PM
Quote from: Rebis on February 18, 2008, 05:19:30 PM
two years mechanized infantry like about 1981-82.

Big GID episode before I knew who I am.  Ugh

are we talking BIG GID, or OMG GID?
Title: Re: Military / Emergency Service Duty
Post by: RebeccaFog on February 18, 2008, 06:30:24 PM

BIG GID.   I didn't know why I was so miserable.  I guess I was suicidal, but I'm used to that coming and going.

One time, someone flashed a book with transwoman in it (porn, of course) and my mind caught on fire.  I was messed up for a long time.  Totally confused and not admitting to myself I wanted to be one of them.

It might have been OMG GID if I took an action against myself, but I didn't. Or if I was suddenly truly aware of the root cause of my stress and discomfort.

I'm feeling sad again.  I'll get you for this, you little elfin person.  :laugh:
Title: Re: Military / Emergency Service Duty
Post by: sd on February 18, 2008, 07:06:06 PM
Four and a half years Air Force.
Served in Operation Southern Watch (Saudi Arabia).

I maintained aircraft (2 different types) and had a promising career ahead of me according to the A.F.

Title: Re: Military / Emergency Service Duty
Post by: Ell on February 18, 2008, 08:08:09 PM
Quote from: Rebis on February 18, 2008, 06:30:24 PM
I'm feeling sad again.  I'll get you for this, you little elfin person.  :laugh:

aw i'm sorry, sweetie. but you know, sometimes when one has disturbances like sun spots on the psyche, it's the best time to work on an artistic project, such as writing.

-ellie
Title: Re: Military / Emergency Service Duty
Post by: Chaunte on February 18, 2008, 11:14:42 PM

This works both ways.

For example, I met a woman who retired from the US Navy SEALS as a chief.  She ws doing in-country ops from the Regan Administration through Gulf War 1.  She was getting letters & emails asking her to rejoin.  She finally sent them a photo, saying that she would consider it if they didn't make her cut her hair & nails plus cover the expense of HRT.  She hasn't heard back fromt eh Navy or DoD since. :D  (She also mentioned that the colonel who was in charge of all special ops during Gulf War 1 also retired and transitioned, but I have no independant confirmation of that. ??? )

On the other hand...

There is a gentleman in my support group who became a volunteer firefighter after he transitioned.  It was difficult considering the muscle mass lost removing the breast tissue.  Cute guy.

If there was a CAP squadron that was closer to where I live, I would probably still be a member - though present policy would prevent me from working with cadets (age 11 to 21).

Chaunte
Title: Re: Military / Emergency Service Duty
Post by: BeverlyAnn on February 20, 2008, 06:39:41 PM
U.S. Navy 1968-1972 and I was actually in two of the same squadrons (not at the same time) as John McCain.  In '71 I had orders for the Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club but my orders were changed to another squadron that was heading to the Med instead.  As far as combat goes, does bar fights with Jarheads count?  LOL

Beverly
Title: Re: Military / Emergency Service Duty
Post by: peggygee on February 24, 2008, 02:37:24 PM
I was an Active Duty Soldier.
Title: Re: Military / Emergency Service Duty
Post by: Rachael on February 25, 2008, 02:18:36 PM
bev: did the leathernecks win?
R >:D
Title: Re: Military / Emergency Service Duty
Post by: BeverlyAnn on February 28, 2008, 04:06:40 PM
Quote from: Rachael on February 25, 2008, 02:18:36 PM
bev: did the leathernecks win?
R >:D

Rachael,
Does anyone ever win such a contest?  And if so, by what parameters shall we judge victory?  Does the fact that my face inflicted severe damage to another's hand have relevance?  Does the number of stitches.......
Oh hell...yeah they won.

Beverly
Title: Re: Military / Emergency Service Duty
Post by: Rachael on February 28, 2008, 11:27:22 PM
Navy never win ;)
R >:D