Speaking of the Self-Defense Forces, it is the best of the male society. On the other hand, it would be a lie to say that the wave of gender equality has not spread to the Self-Defense Forces. Consider the high retirement rate of female SDF personnel in the Self-Defense Forces and the pros and cons of introducing gender equality.
Direction of the Self-Defense Forces' backlog over female SDF personnel
As of the end of March 2021, the number of female SDF personnel was approximately 18,000 (approximately 7.9% of all SDF personnel) (according to the 2021 Defense of Japan 3rd edition), and by 2030, all SDF personnel. The ratio of women to the total is 12% or more.
The Self-Defense Forces are trying to increase the proportion of female SDF personnel. (Although it is 12% of the total even if it is increased ...)
In addition, the Self-Defense Forces have been reviewing the restrictions on the placement of female SDF personnel in sequence, and have completely lifted the restrictions on placement, except for some of the Special Forces (Chemical) Protection Corps of the Ground Self-Defense Force and the mine shaft company.
As a result, the first female SDF fighter pilot will be born in 2018, and the first female SDF airborne member will be born in March 2020. In October of the same year, a female SDF officer began boarding a submarine for the first time.
In my experience, the turnover rate for female SDF personnel is much higher than that for male SDF personnel. This tendency is especially noticeable when it comes to executive self-defense officials.
Reasons for the retirement of female SDF personnel
Based on my experience and the opinions of many SDF personnel, there are four main reasons for leaving.
① Long-term exercises peculiar to the Self-Defense Forces
② Strict training
③ Constitution that forces overtime
④ Nationwide transfer
① Long-term exercise
In the Self-Defense Forces, if it is a long exercise, it will not be possible to go home after staying in the training ground for a week or two.
This happens several to 10 times a year.
In many cases, women have no choice but to leave their children unattended if they cannot go home. On the other hand, if child-rearing is prioritized, the unit will be inconvenienced. At this point, priority should be given to placement in departments with few exercises, which would prevent "equality" from being maintained.
(2) Strict training,
Training for the Self-Defense Forces is extremely rigorous, but training for combat units is exceptional.
A march would have to walk 30 to 50 km with about 20 kg of luggage and weapons, and a paratrooper would have to walk about 100 km. Even with normal training, building a bunker is really tough. Just because a woman is a woman, it is not something that can be adjusted.
Also, cannot take a bath for a long time. This is the hardest and most painful for many SDF personnel. You can think that it affects retirement more than the difference in physical strength.
In the first place, many female SDF personnel do not want the release and placement of harsh combat areas, which is one of the reasons for their retirement.
③ Forced to work overtime,
The Self-Defense Forces are very busy everywhere in the land, sea and air. There will be almost no free department. Over the last 30 years, the SDF's missions have clearly increased, including peacekeeping operations, increased disaster relief, southwestern response, increased situations, and MFDO during peacetime. On the other hand, the capacity has hardly increased. It's a matter of course, but each person has no choice but to work twice as much as before and cover it with overtime.
In such a situation, there is no room for someone to cover the hole. Not working overtime means that someone will take over. Considering the number of people for the amount of work, it is difficult to maintain a family without causing trouble to others.
④ Nationwide transfer
SDF executives are transferred nationwide approximately once every two years. Those who worked in Hokkaido are said to go to Okinawa. Most female SDF personnel are married to male SDF personnel. In other words, the other party also changes. When it comes to moving, there are many things to do and stress, such as moving, procedures and preparations for a child's transfer, and much more. In addition, the current situation is that every unit is busy and cannot even be given time to move properly. If you move nationwide, your child's spirit may become unstable. If you think about your family, it is best to retire and switch to a job that allows you to keep up with your husband's transfer, or to separate by moving alone and settle down somewhere.
⑤ Other
This is not a reason for retirement, but in the event of a war, if female SDF personnel are assigned to combat occupations, they will be the first to fight on the front line. In an evacuation operation from Afghanistan in August 2021 (this year), US troops killed 13 soldiers (including a young woman) guarding Kabul Airport in Afghanistan in a terrorist attack. In other words, bringing perfect gender equality to the Self-Defense Forces allows women to fall apart on the battlefield. It's not that it's okay if it's a man, but I don't think it's wrong to see a man protecting a woman (as a Japanese feeling), but I'm the only one ...
Conclusion
Gender equality is an appropriate and important idea for society as a whole, but it should not be brought into the Self-Defense Forces of the military organization. that's all!
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