The three female Marines stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina will sleep right next to their male counterparts when training out in the field, Marine Corps officials confirmed.
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Accommodations for Marines training in the field range from a large shelter filled with dozens of cots, to basic tarps, or sometimes nothing at all, Maj. Charles Anklam III, executive officer for 1st Battalion, 8th Marines at Camp Lejeune told the AP.
In the barracks, the female infantry marines have private rooms and bathrooms, but that won’t be the case when they’re in the field with the men, where unit cohesion and a replication of battlefield conditions is paramount.
“We’re not changing our tactical posture or changing how we operate to accommodate the inclusion of female Marines,” Anklam said.
Female marines sleeping next to male marines isn’t unprecedented. Anklam pointed out that female Marines in conflict zones around the world have shared tents with men. This is, however, the first time they’ll be sharing accommodations when training with their unit.
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The first-ever female Marines in a ground combat unit reported to Camp Lejeune back in January. They’ll serve as a serve as a rifleman, machine gunner and mortar Marine in 1st Battalion, 8th Marines.
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