The Editor's Vault: Women have a voice through DACOWITS Published March 17, 2014 By Annette Crawford Air Force Recruiting Service Public Affairs JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas -- Editor's note: I was a staff sergeant stationed at the U.S. Air Force Academy public affairs office when this story was published in the Academy newspaper on Nov. 1, 1985. In 1985, maternity leave was four weeks for active-duty women. In 2014, it is six weeks minimum, and active-duty spouses are now allowed 10 days of paternity leave. In 1985, women comprised 11.3 percent of the Air Force. In 2014, they make up 18.9 percent. In 1985, only six classes with women had graduated from the Air Force Academy. The Class of 1980 had 97 women graduate - just over 10 percent of the graduating class. The Class of 2017 has 22 percent women. Maternity leave, sexual harassment and career opportunities are just a few of the hot issues involving women in the services today. DACOWITS - the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services - is here to find the answers to these and other problems. Shirley Peterson, a subcommittee chairperson for DACOWITS, was at the Academy Friday and met with Air Force women to get their views on life in the military. Mrs. Peterson has been with DACOWITS for three years. Members of the committee learn of concerns through sessions such as those at the Academy last week. DACOWITS was established in 1951, and assists and advises the secretary of defense on policies and matters relating to women in military service. "I think DACOWITS services a viable role, and we really make a difference," commented Mrs. Patterson, a native of North Dakota. "Women's opportunities need to be expanded, and we're here to help." During the morning session with enlisted members, several people felt that the Air Force provides a better climate for women than the other services. Mrs. Patterson agreed. "I really feel and get a sense for it when I visit the other services," she said. "And it's rightly so. Only 16 percent of the Air Force is involved in direct combat, so it's a matter of brain power over muscle power." DACOWITS is divided into three subcommittees which research forces utilization, career opportunities and the quality of life. Several of these topics were brought up during the session, one of which was raising the ceiling on women in the Air Force. Right now women make up 11.3 percent of the total force. "The ceiling probably will go up. But you must remember that because of the economy the military lifestyle has become a very popular one, so of course the requirements have gone up. When you increase the quality of an organization, people are going to have to strive for their own individual quality, too," said Mrs. Peterson. One issue that raised many voices was maternity leave. "Four weeks is an incredibly short time to get back on your feet again," commented one attendee. "You can't even take the baby to the Child Care Center until it's six weeks old, so what are you supposed to do about the two-week gap? You can get two more weeks of maternity leave if the doctor approves it, but that's rare." "It is an area of concern and we need your input," agreed Mrs. Peterson. "It's true that lost time lowers the efficiency of a unit, but there's no more significant time lost due to pregnancy than for illness, alcohol rehabilitation or accidents. "Attitudes take a while to change. Our basic value system is established by the time we're 10 or 12 years old. I realize that dealing with some of these people who won't change can be frustrating and disappointing, but we can't get hung up on them." Mrs. Peterson emphasized that the women in the service today are here as pioneers, and "it isn't easy being the first. Nobody said it was going to be and it's not." The Air Force is fortunate in having so many avenues to go to for help. One person commented that they're also out in the private sector, but not as readily available. They take time and money. Another raised issue was that of sexual harassment, which Mrs. Peterson feels needs to be dealt with early. "Stop it when it starts." Some of the other attendee's comments were: "Let them know where you stand right away." "We only act according to how people let us act." "I've countered some men's remarks with 'How would you like someone to say that to your wife?' That usually stops them." A great deal of constructive criticism and suggestions for improvements came out of the sessions with Mrs. Peterson, who feels that networking with people with common interests is extremely important. "Women are missing a lot because they don't get together informally and discuss their problems. Another problem is that the awareness of DACOWITS is low. "Keep the faith. You are special people trying to carve out some new roles and opportunities for women. You can count on us for support." "The Editor's Vault" takes a look at articles written by retired Master Sgt. Annette Crawford throughout a career in public affairs that began in 1982. Stories are run exactly as they were written at the time of publication; if there are words or terms that are unfamiliar, or if the writing style doesn't seem consistent with other articles in the newsletter, that's why.