The military's Miss America candidate
Comment: She did an amazing job and I am sure she did her best. She is not pageantry material. And is showed. But she is one tremendous woman. Good luck in everything you do.
Comment: If you have anything bad to say about Jill, you obviously don't know her. I am here at Miss America and have a backstage pass. Everynight I hug her and tell her how amazing she is. She is so humble and usually replies "Oh stop it. I am not!" I am hoping someone that knows you (zoekimball) will come online and post all of your problems and mistakes. I would also like to see you compete in talent, everning gown, and swimsuit. I doubt you have the guts and beauty. Otherwise you wouldn't be threatened by Jill.
Comment: Allison Paganetti is sitting in Baghdad somewhere pissed that she didn't get any of this attention.
Comment: How do you know Allison Paganetti?
Comment: They are meaning she is hte first to serve in combat that is in the pagent!!!
Comment: Please get the facts straight,. She is not the first remale to serve in a combat zone and we are 68W's-Medical Care Specialists no matter line, flight, CSH, all medical! good luck at Miss America. Can't wait to be there.
Comment: Jill is a dear friend of mine who I could attest to being unselfish and genuine. All that is said here is true. What an incredible role model she is to Utah and America. She is definitely an "All American Girl." I'll be cheering for her as I encourage everyone else to do as well.
Comment: jhvbjknvkjxcnv
Comment: This is an article about Jill's service to our country and her journey to now becomming a contestant in Miss America. Obviously Jill has overcome more than we even know thanks to "zoekimball84"--which makes her even more interesting, strong and inspiring--thanks for your insight/mud sling campaign- although I fear it backfired on you. Or you are just insanely jealous of Jill since you are willing to exploit her personal family life and struggles to what end? We all struggle and only a few, like Jill (if any of your post is even true), rise above and go on to do bigger and better things. I know her too, personally, I just hugged her last week, she is a beacon of light, her face glows with undeniable confidance, good and the light of Christ. Just spend five minutes with her now and I dare you to say different--and that is why she is in Newsweek and you are not miss zoekimball!!! She is a true daughter of God that knows who she is and why she is here and where she is going--I beg you to find out who you are!
You go Jill,
We love you and have your back always!!!
Christy and Karl and family in Cedar
Comment: Obviously Jill has overcome more than we even know thanks to "zoekimball84"--which makes her even more interesting, strong and inspiring--thanks for your insight although I fear it backfired on you. Or you are just insanely jealous of Jill since you are willing to exploit her personal family life and struggles to what end? We all struggle and only a few, like Jill (if any of your post is even true), rise above and go on to do bigger and better things. I know her too, personally, I just hugged her last week, she is a beacon of light, her face glows with undeniable confidance and good. Just spend five minutes with her now and I dare you to say different--and that is why she is in Newsweek and you are not miss zoekimball!!!
You go Jill,
We love you and back you here in Cedar!
Your favorite photo studio family
Comment: It interests me that Jill doesn't mention her Mormon faith, her struggles with anorexia, and the realities of growing up in a broken home. After Jill's dad went to prison for imbezzlement, her mom remarried a man with 2 children, whom he deserted, and moved to Utah to take care of new wife and her 4 children from a previous marriage. They had one child together. Jill has 2 brothers, 1 sister, 1 half-brother and 2 step-sisters, with whom there is no contact. High school classmates observed Jill carrying a gallon milk jug of water to school daily, working out for many hours a day, and having no friends, It is understandable that she would have eating problems, as mom and siblings from 1st marriage are all grossly overweight. Jill is also the consumate tight wad. While in college, she bragged about charging her roommates $1.50 for a bowl of chili. This sweetheart wouldn't give air to someone in a jug, unless it provided a photo op. She is quite ego-centric and phony. Glorifying her stint in the armed services, seem quite unfair. It's like a contestant being sponsored by the armed forces. This is an injustice to the other contestants, especially the others who have served in the military.
Comment: She is not out of uniform. That picture was taken during her service in Afghanistan, which was 2 years ago. Considering that minimum TIG and TIS requirements for E-5 promotion are less than 2 years, she most likely has been promoted since returning to the U.S. Therefore she is now a sergeant and should be addressed as such.
Comment: She isn't out of uniform. This picture was taken during her service in Afghanistan, 2 years ago. It is highly likely that she was an E-4 at that time, and within the past 2 years went to the promotion board and was promoted to E-5 (minimum TIG and TIS requirements for promotion from E-4 to E-5 are less than 2 years).
Comment: People in the military get what is referred to as 'promotions'. This happens over a period of time. Photographs, by nature, capture a specific period of time in the past. So, for example, when that photograph was taken, SGT Stevens was a Specialist. Sometime after the photo was taken, minutes, days, months perhaps, she was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. This is why SGT Stevens is wearing Specialist rank in that photograph: she was a Specialist at the time and was later promoted to Sergeant. I hope this answers your question, Chris41.
Comment: If this is (in fact) Sgt Jill Stevens, why is she shown here wearing Specialist ensignia representing herself 'Out of uniform' for the public to see?
Comment: here chris,, have a another drink of Kool- Aid ,, as mentioned in other pathatic comments,, do you really think NEWSWEEK , would run a story without first checking the facts out,
here drink up
Comment: If this Miss America canidatye is Sgt Jill Stevens why is she shown here in pictures wearing Specialist ensignia?
Comment: First and foremost I want to wish SGT Stevens good luck in the pageant. I spent 8 years as an Officer in the United States Army and it is great to have such a strong and successful woman as a potential candidate for Miss America. In reading the article about her, it shows that she is indeed a role model for all women in the United States. For I know first hand the numerous challenges involved in being a soldier and as far as I am concerned all soldiers serving in the military are already role models for the youth of our great country. For without the soldiers we would not have the liberty and freedoms that so many take for granted today.
In reading many of the comments to this article one thought keeps coming to mind. For those of you, who have such issues with our military and our government, find somewhere else to live. The borders of the United States are not designed to keep those who wish to leave in, so feel free to leave anytime. Unlike some country???s there won???t be anyone attempting to shoot you in the back as you leave because many soldiers have died to ensure you have the freedom to be free.
Comment: Now THIS LADY IS A FEMALE PEE HOLE EUGENIC COMPUTER!!!! THEY LOVE TO MAKE THEM VERY BLONDE AND PRETTY! SHE CAN EAT YOUR ARM OFF IN THIRTY SECONDS! THEN WE CAN WATCH OPRAH PROMOTING ANOTHER PEE HOLE MAN!!!!! TALKING ABOUT Martin Luther KING AND CIVIL LIBERTIES REAL TRUTH IS THE MILIATARY AND THIS GROUP WERE FULLY BEHIND THE ASSASINATION OF MLK!!!!! WHY???? FOR A ORGASM AND THEY TOOK OUT ANOTHER man AND GET SUPPORT OF THE minorities!!! AND ARE EVER ELITIST!! ITS UNBELIEVABLE HOW MUCH THEY STICK TOGETHER!!!! And THEY ALWAYS TALK SO WELL AND LOOK SO POISED!!
Comment: Hi im glad to see weoman acomplishing things but how about all the male and female solders who are haveing thare children taken away from them just for serving our nation. What this cant be well wake up it is it's hapening to active, reserve and national guard all over our nation. Just look at Spc Julie Frye curently serving in iraq at camp falcon she has been fighting to regain her 3 boys for 5 years with only the suport of her husband and her mother and father. Thare was never abuse or neglect the reason for not geting them back. from judge ruth klotz of the state of iowa who preseded this case stated military life over seas is mentaly and emotionaly un fit for the well being of the children. no one will look at these cases why becouse its to political and the govener of the state of iowa mr vilsack his office states the govenor has the right to pardon people from being killed but not to give thare children back. these are the kinds of things that need our attention not crowns and swim suites
Comment: lets not just focus on this one thing but how about all those who are active, reserve and national guard who are loosing thare kids just for serving our nation. What cant be you say but it is just ask Spc Julie Frye curently serving our nation in the army as we speek in Iraq. She had her 3 boys striped away from her due to her being in the army. Lets place some light on these isues not just who might or might not get some damn crown.
Comment: Unite, my firends in the U.S. Military service!! We are our own family when it comes down to it. No one else will stand beside us, except our men and women in arms. Men know what women go through and put up with in the military and women know the same of men. Not a night goes by I do not worry about either. Be proud of your brothers and sisters. All of us know in our hearts what we sacrifice. The United States of America is worth more than venting here, where the news media will tear us apart. It takes all of us to make it work. Brother, Sister, I am at your side wherever we are, wherever we serve - may we stand united!!! ELSE - DROP AND GIVE ME TWENTY!!! (and no sailors, that does not mean go down on one knee and hand me a $20 dollar bill - although it will offset the commissioned officers fudiciary responsibilities). : ) May we all embrace what makes us completely different and invaluable to our service. My love to us all and God's love and blessing over us all. 22 years and still going.
Comment: Much appreciation to ALL of you who serve our country. You are the true "America"s. You are not only the backbone, but the heart of our country. And, Stevens, I'm cheering for you.
Comment: THIS IS PATHETIC! A supposed male solder putting down other solders based upon thier gender. Must not have done much--clearly doesn't know much. With 93 female solders killed so far in Iraq alone and the majority of those from hostile fire--only an idiot or a poser would claim a women must be lying about her combat. The military still does not allow women in "direct" combat jobs but does allow "in-direct" combat rolls such a Military Police. One can point to stories such as PFC lynch where none combat personell ended up in combat in a war with no front or rear lines. Had you done much, Salty, you would have known that. So, uh, ahem ixney on the macho men only war stories dude. Thank so Much--AIRBORNE!!
Comment: First off: I would just like to say Jill I believe what you are doing is great and very admirable. As a female serving in the Army myself I feel as though what Jill is doing will give all the nation a new outlook on females in the Armed Forces. Not all but some have this very negative view of women in the service. When I was a young woman, fresh out of basic training, I and a very pretty female friend of mine decided to go out on the town for a fun night out. Just a girls night to go out dancing and relieve job related stress. We were later approached by two men who asked the two of us what we did for a living. We explained to them that we were currently serving as soldiers in the Army. The look of shock on their faces was amazing. These two men just could not believe that there were good looking women in the Army. I feel as though society views us as masculine, tough, harsh features, even poor, and of a lower class from the rest of the female gender. I believe what Jill is doing is wonderful because she is giving the rest of the world a different perspective of our world. She is showing society that we are beautiful, soft, lady like, and feminine regardless of the harsh situations and enviroments that we get exposed to because of our jobs. It makes me so proud of her not just because of what she is doing but also because of what she has done. JILL I AM PROUD AND HONORED TO CALL YOU A BATTLE BUDDY!!! Now as for the gentlemans comment below!!! I am currently 24 years old, with 6 years in as a Military Police soldier serving in the Army. And although he is correct, there are some places that we cannot officially serve, he is still wrong about females in combat situation. I have been deployed 3 times to 3 different combat zones. And let me tell that even though I can't be infantry, I have been down in the sand with them, fighting and bleeding side by side with them. I have seen the horrible faces of war that so many men claim we women never see because of our gender. So sir, before you disgrace yourself and our service for your gender biased views maybe, just maybe, you should realize that your view may not be the entire picture. I feel proud to be a woman and to see the things I have seen. I wouldn't change it for anything in the world. Yes it has been a long hard road but it is the things we see and do that make us the people we are. Thank you everyone for continously supporting our troops regardless of your views on this war. It means more to us that you can ever know. -Just Another Soldier
Comment: THis is pathetic. A female MP who was "down in the sand" and "fought and bled".???? Not likely. Really, cut it out. And as far as the National Guard units you mentioned. I served with one (Nebraska) at Al Asad in '05 and '06. All three have the same rule...NO WOMEN IN COMBAT JOBS. Met plenty of terrific gals in the Guard, in the Army and in the Marines.....but NOT IN COMBAT JOBS.....so, uh, ahem, ixney on the war stories ladies. Thanks so much.
Comment: Sir, I don't believe you are or were a soldier. If you were ever a soldier you would never say these things because, regardless of gender, regardless of MOS, we are all first and formost soldiers. Your comment was like a shot through the heart and you just left me dead on the battle field. Very much doubt you know the meaning of honor and sacrafice. Regardless of wether you are a man or woman, regardless of even your comments, I would still sacrafice myself to drag your sorry butt off the battle field. WHY?? Because I'm a soldier and we defend our own and never leave a fallen comrade!!! OH, and don't tell me what I have done or haven't done you have no right.
Comment: First off: As a female in the military myself, Jill it is my oppinion that what you are doing is great and very admirable. Not because of the simple fact that you are a soldier that has honorably served you country, but you are going beyond the idea of a woman in the Armed Forces. When I was a young soldier, a very pretty woman and myself had a night out on the town, just a girls night to go out and do a little dancing. We were approached by two men who asked us what we did for a living. We explained that we were both soldiers in the Army. The look of shock was amazing. These two men just could not believe that pretty women existed in the Army. From my own experiences the general public views women who join the Armed Forces as rough, robust, harsh, desperate, or even the less classy of the female gender. Understandable sometimes considering the situation and harsh enviroments we have to be placed in. BUT what Jill is doing is admirable in my eyes because she is showing all of American society that we can be lady like, have soft features, AND be mentally and pysically tough to defend and serve our country. Joing the Armed Forces is not a last resort for most but just an opportunity to feel proud, honorable, fearless, and do something that may make difference. I'M VERY PROUD OF YOU JILL FOR ALL YOU ARE DOING AND HAVE DONE!!! Now, as for the gentleman below who says women do not get put in combat jobs, he is right BUT only to a certain extent. I'm currently serving as a Military Police Officer in the United States Army and let me tell you something sir. I may be a woman and I may not be able to serve as Infantry but I have been down in the sand with them for long periods of time and even fought and bleed with them. I have been deployed 3 times to 3 different countries and we work side by side with the combat sections. So please unless you are a woman and have lived my life, please keep your close minded oppinions and experiences to yourself. You disgrace our service by being so gender biased. What you see is not always the whole picture!! Thank you everyone by supporting our troops, we appreciate it more than you will ever know. -Just another Soldier.
Comment: Its too bad that we tend to go from one extreme of overaggrandizement to another, clearly there is some anger and differentiation within the use of semantics (that means words). sir, simply because there were no women involved with your specific experience, doesn't mean that it doesn't happen. By making sweeping generalizations regading your experience as the way it was for all, speaks to the inadequacies within your experience. I find the misogyny alive and well within many comments of men in the military, Infantry are not the only people involved in these missions. you should know that. The purpose of the comments is not to get into a pissing match regarding who's experience was worse. That is pointless. Clearly you want the reading public to be aware of your sacrifice, which was significant, but yet you want to demean someone elses as "giving the girls a turn on the turret" If indeed, rules were "broken" to allow women into the villages and in the gun trucks, you should really ask the men and women of the Minnesota, New Jersey and Nebraska National Guard who just got back from Iraq as well. They would probably be happy to tell you where they were and what they were doing. Every soldier within the military has a specific job, the point is that to demean the experience of those soldiers, who happen to be women, is problematic. Not all soldiers who are women are good soldiers. The exact same is true of soldiers who are men, simply because they are, doesn't make them good soldiers. Your intent of being disrespectful is read loud and clear. Thanks for your service and dedication to our nation, hopefully no one speaks of your experience as you have spoken of many women veteran's experience. Clearly you didn't need the services of a medic to know that combat doesn't care what job you have.
Comment: What? Women are making tremendous contributions in many critical areas of the military so this truth is great enough so that we don't have to make up stuff about them.. WOMEN DO NOT SERVE IN COMBAT MOS's IN THE MILITARY!!!. This is a fact. Sure, I have seen the occasional female in a gunner's hatch or on foot in some small village, but I assure you that plenty of rules had to be ignored to make this happen. Some CO was adventurous enough to let the girls have a turn in the turret....some mechanic, or office worker or medic on an adventure. Then they get pictures taken and will be telling their grandchildren about their incredible combat experience. I got a tour in the Army and one in the Marines...just back from Iraq. This last tour had 151 combats missions for this guy......not one single woman involved. So cut the nonsense....THanks
Comment: She also isn't the only Army combat medic who has participated in beauty pageants. SSG Shannon Fezer, based on Schofield Barracks in Hawaii, is a reigning beauty queen with many titles under her belt, including most recently Mrs. Unitied Nations. (shannonfezer.com). Check out her photos from Iraq - including the ones where the seat she usually sits in during rescue flights is riddled with bullet holes (she luckily got up to check on a patient just before the chopper was shot up). She spent a year in Iraq, and flew rescue mission every single day she was there. FYI, medical helicopters are a favorite target of the insurgents - machine gun fire, RPGs, mortar fire. And they don't exactly hang a pink flag from the back if one of the medics on board is a woman. Combat flight medic teams with women on them receive the EXACT SAME missions to the EXACT SAME front lines rescues as teams that are comprised as all men.
Comment: Your assumption that this young woman was not a "combet" ( notice the correct spelling is combat) medic is so far off. Clearly you, 'spankme' have never been over to Iraq. These medics are all over the place, working in field hospitals, CASH units and providing CMO missions into the Iraqi communities, outside the wire of their respective military FOBs. Many medics get placed in other areas, with other groups, doing things that you couldn't even imagine because of their medical experience. Many of these medics, who happen to be women, do far more than just be in the "rear with the gear" Many of them are gunners on convoy escort teams, because the army requires medics to be on convoys. They are drivers, they are gunners, they are in the thick of things. These women, who you say are nowhere near combat, are in charge of 50 cal guns......It is your assumed attitude of superiority, to claim that she is not a combat medic, that makes my stomach churn. . Being a woman ABSOLUTELY does not mean that she could have been no where near combat. Have you ever seen an IED that decides to detonate based on what gender was in the convoy in front of them. This antiquated idea of no women in combat is so off base, it is typical of people that know nothing about the current military organization and who pretend to have a clue because you have a computer. Besides, what does it matter where she was. Her MOS was that of a medic, she did time in a combat zone, thousands of miles away from home, in danger, in a foreign country because the United States asked her to. She is protecting your right to bash, namelessly, faceless on your computer at home. Hooah!
Comment: She is not combet medic. She was in the rear with the gear. Because she is a woman she was nowhere near combat. Not to sound sexist it is just how it is. Don't like it, don't care. Deal with It. But otherwise I hope she wins. The writer of this article is an idiot.
Comment: I am a school teacher in a diffcult school in Utah, and I would like to thank Stg. Stevens for senting an awesome example for my students. It is important to show our children that you can do anything you put your mind to no matter what your career is, or where you come from. I would like to thank Stg Stevens for setting such and awesome example. GO GET THEM, MS. UTAH!!!
Comment: I am very proud to say that this military marval is from the proud state of Utah. Sgt. Stevens has given Utah girls the hope that they can do anything they set their mind to. Thank you Sgt. Stevens. Go get them Miss Utah!
Comment: The article about Ms. Stevens and being the "G. I. MISS AMERICA" is awesome. I really liked it when she reported how she herself had to redo her oppinion of the Miss America Pageant cotestants. Sometimes the ones who are not a contestant have no rel clue what these beautiful, intellegant women are really capable of. I am a parent of a past pageant contestant, so I have a deeper understanding of what these women go through, and even I have not got the ENTIRE scope. Thnkyou to Ms. Stevens for BOTH , the pageant and what you are doing in our MILITARY. We all profoundly thank you and all others for your comitment and for your sacrafice. ( army brat ) Donna-Ruth Asher, Kansas
Comment: It is about time that Miss America truly be a representative of all that our nation can be. With all the latest in technology our youth has at it's disposal it's nice to know that good old fashioned hard work and integrity still amount to something. i thank God everyday that our military is ttere when we need them thanks to soldiers like Jill.
Comment: Heck, she's already Miss America, doesn't need the crown.
Comment: Heck, she's already Miss America, doesn't need the crown.
Comment: If we all play stupid and fall prey to AlexD's pitifully thought out (or the lack of thought-just more liberal knee jerk reactionaryism) criteria that form of change or value to society is required to justify and legitimize any activity, then we only victimize ourselves and our creativity.
Besides, AlexD???s arrogant PCism is far too rampant and limiting in its desire to squash creativity and imagination, the seeds for our nation's greatness. Per AlexD, our creativity and imagination needs to be cited as being without any redeeming value as a form of change or value to society. What a lonely and narrow and bigoted worldview you have AlexD!
Comment: This young lady is another example of how great America's youth is. She demonstrates how a person can serve their country and go on to higher achievments by using the knowledge gained in the process. This country is built on capitallism and there is nothing wrong with the pagent and what it represents. There is strong and there is Army strong, she has my vote. Sergeant E. Larkin US Army Infantry 1985-1995
Comment: I have two things to say, One, this young woman is inspirational to all young women and would make a great role model instead of what currently catches headlines (yes I'm talking to you Paris Hilton and Brittany Spears) so I would like to hear more about THIS young lady. Two, If she's single, I would love take her out for dinner and a movie.
Comment: I personally think that all pagents which make each women from a different state to compete against each other to see whos the best is a bunch of rhino dung. They should really discontinue these pagents since they hold no form of change or value to society... These women get paid fro appearances and endorsements to bring more money to the organizaton. More capitalism pimping everyday strong and righteous women.
Comment: The contestant competing in the MIss America pageat from Utah is a realy inspiration. The fact that she is serving in the military shows her dedication to her country. After just coming apon this story I was intrigued to know more about this contestant. I have also this close mindedness about woman who compete in these pageants, but now reading this i know that the contestants are more well rounded than i thought.
Miss Utah is a true Miss America.
Comment: If you complete your research,you will find that Iran actually discontinued its nuclear program in 1998, under guess who, The Clinton Administration. The fatcs are there, just complete your research. It's being covered up to aid Bush Administration in its effort to take credit for something they had nothing to do with. Just like they blamed Clinton for 9/11when they had the intel warning them of an iminent attack. Just simple politics to aid the party in office.
Comment: The only reason Iran stopped trying to make nukes is because they knew G.W. and the boyz were comin' into office. Heck, if I was attempting to proliferate nukes, I'd be scared too, especially if my neighbors were currently occupied by the most influential military force in human history. You soldiers are alright, angels in my eyes. GO G.W.! GO USA!!!
Comment: The only reason they stopped making nukes is because they knew G.W. and the boys were comin' into office to take action against nuclear proliferation. GO USA!!!
Comment: If you complete your research,you will find that Iran actually discontinued its nuclear program in 1998, under guess who, The Clinton Administration. The fatcs are there, just complete your research. It's being covered up to aid Bush Administration in its effort to take credit for something they had nothing to do with. Just like they blamed Clinton for 9/11when they had the intel warning them of an iminent attack. Just simple politics to aid the party in office.
Comment: Blackwolf, I was also a hospital corpsman in the USN. I agree with most of your comments, however , can you please learn to spell so you do not embarrass yourself or other military members.
Comment: wiat a minute everyone why are you agruing do we not leave in the land of the free and the home of the brave, the freedom to excide at what we can, and what we will, and the brave to fight for our freedom, regardless if it is with a gun or a scalple, or if its on the front lines or in a medic tent. on land or at sea. in the air or at home. steavens like all others that have served are freedom have done thier jobs just like those who have not served, have done thier best to make america free and in the morning we all put our pants on one leg at a time. so dont be angry be happy that we are free to do the best we can in life. i to served from 84-90 as a medic in the usn and although i was not packing shells into a 50inch i was proud to know that i was thier to patch thows who were back up and that i also had my fellow americans backs. so be prode that sgt.steavens has done her part as an american and her freedom that she may continue to do her part as a free american. from park city ut. koodos to you and yours sgt. steavens have freedom in everything you for you have erned it.
Comment: wiat a minute everyone why are you agruing do we not leave in the land of the free and the home of the brave, the freedom to excide at what we can, and what we will, and the brave to fight for our freedom, regardless if it is with a gun or a scalple, or if its on the front lines or in a medic tent. on land or at sea. in the air or at home. steavens like all others that have served are freedom have done thier jobs just like those who have not served, have done thier best to make america free and in the morning we all put our pants on one leg at a time. so dont be angry be happy that we are free to do the best we can in life. i to served from 84-90 as a medic in the usn and although i was not packing shells into a 50inch i was proud to know that i was thier to patch thows who were back up and that i also had my fellow americans backs. so be prode that sgt.steavens has done her part as an american and her freedom that she may continue to do her part as a free american. from park city ut. koodos to you and yours sgt. steavens have freedom in everything you for you have erned it.
Comment: I cannot put enough support of SGT Stevens in just a few words - but you truly are an inspiration. I have been in the military for 18 years, toughed out the sexual harassmet of the 90's to see a better and more equal day in the military culture. Seeing the way your unit supported you, and the way you gave back to both the community where you were stationed and the soldiers you served with gives me renewed faith in our service. I too joined a naive high-schooler, and the military made me the person I am today - but I always wonder - is this the best we can do? I see now that as an organization, the military has its marching orders. As a person - you are the one who can make a difference wherever you are. SGT Stevens - you have given this SFC a new reason to serve. Hooah girl.
Comment: I cannot put enough support of SGT Stevens in just a few words - but you truly are an inspiration. I have been in the military for 18 years, toughed out the sexual harassmet of the 90's to see a better and more equal day in the military culture. Seeing the way your unit supported you, and the way you gave back to both the community where you were stationed and the soldiers you served with gives me renewed faith in our service. I too joined a naive high-schooler, and the military made me the person I am today - but I always wonder - is this the best we can do? I see now that as an organization, the military has its marching orders. As a person - you are the one who can make a difference wherever you are. SGT Stevens - you have given this SFC a new reason to serve. Hooah girl.
Comment: My comment will just be a drop in the ocean, but I wanted to say congrats to Sgt Stevesn. From a fellow military female (TSgt USANG) Just because a female serves her country, this does not make her any less womanly. You go girl, from Alaska!!! and btw, though I disagree with some of the comments made from them, Being a Military Spouse is one of the hardest jobs there is, I watched my mom do it for 26 years.
Comment: Wow, so many people have commented here that I will be just a drop in the ocean, but I too wanted to pass on my Kudos. As a Female TSGT in t the USANG I am very proud of Sgt Stevens. Just because a woman serves her country, this does not mean she does not enjoy being a woman. Thank you to military service men and women everywhere, and their families. They are out there protecting our rights to say what we want on this blog. And as much as I hate to say it, because I do disagree with some of the comments made, Being a military spouse is one of the hardest jobs there is. Once again Thanks and Congrats Sgt Stevens.
Comment: with prime rate going down (.50%) already and another .25% next week) how can payments on current arms be going up? and more importantly, what about the people that got into a forcloser problem now? what happens to the people that just recently lost their homes in the past 2years? whats to become of those people? where's the help for them?
Comment: Nevermind the rampant sexism in the military. 1 in 3 female recruits will be raped while serving their country, by another countryman. Sexism is deeply embedded in military culture. Military life demands unquestioning obedience to superior officers who are overwhelmingly men, which reinforces time and time again the inferior place of women. Male soldiers are exposed to and become part of a way of life that constantly sexualizes and devalues women. It is an extreme, concentrated expression of the sexism underlying capitalist society generally.
For most women in the military, the torrent of sexual harassment starts in the academy. Female cadets are often treated with open hostility, enduring unwelcome sexual advances and repeated incidents of hazing. Some hazings are extreme and even life-threatening, including reports of women having their clothes set on fire.
"The Sexual Harassment of Female Active-Duty Personnel," H. Antecol and D.A. Cobb-Clark, ideas.repec.org/p/clm/clmeco/2001-27.html
"Sexual Harassment: Open Season on Working Women," B. Corbin and L. Bennett-Haigney, www.now.org/nnt/03-97/sexual.html#military
"Researchers study women's risk of rape in military," March 2003,
The New Standard, 6/16/2004
Another clever recruiting campaign. Female recruitment rate is down...let's show a pretty woman in a contest to be pretty. It's not enough that she's an accomplised medical worker.
Comment: dbudrejk: you can argue semantics all day. Recruit / cadet / NCO. It doesn't matter what title is given.
Rhetorical questions such as "When was the last time you were a female cadet in one of the service academies?" only work when they have a basis in reality. Obviously, by my moniker, one would assume I'm not and can't be a female cadet.
What you failed to realize is the "toxic rhetoric" you claim I'm "outpouring" is cited directly from a study the Department of Army Medical Research of the U.S. Department of Defense funded. It's found here: http://scienceblog.com/community/older/2003/B/20036513.html
Comment: YEEEEEHHAAAAAWWWWWW!
Way to go Sgt Jill Stevens!!!!!!
Thanks for serving our country. You have already won the hearts and minds of all real Americans.
Comment: It is quite nice hearing about a (former) service member ("quote end quote") achieving the transition from military to civilian life. Doing so is not easy. And talk about community service, how much more service can one do than put your life on the line for others (some of whom you do NOT know)? I may be a female, still Jill Stevens has my backing. Good Job!
Comment: as much fun as this has been i gotta go
hey, its the freakin miss america pageant for chripes sake.......do you really care this much about it?????
or her???? BE HONEST!!!!
Comment: I've stated my points and my job here is done, MSN has removed this story from their front page.
To summarize:
Nevermind the rampant sexism in the military. 1 in 3 female recruits will be raped while serving their country, by another countryman. Sexism is deeply embedded in military culture. Military life demands unquestioning obedience to superior officers who are overwhelmingly men, which reinforces time and time again the inferior place of women. Male soldiers are exposed to and become part of a way of life that constantly sexualizes and devalues women. It is an extreme, concentrated expression of the sexism underlying capitalist society generally.
For most women in the military, the torrent of sexual harassment starts in the academy. Female cadets are often treated with open hostility, enduring unwelcome sexual advances and repeated incidents of hazing. Some hazings are extreme and even life-threatening, including reports of women having their clothes set on fire.
"The Sexual Harassment of Female Active-Duty Personnel," H. Antecol and D.A. Cobb-Clark, ideas.repec.org/p/clm/clmeco/2001-27.html
"Sexual Harassment: Open Season on Working Women," B. Corbin and L. Bennett-Haigney, www.now.org/nnt/03-97/sexual.html#military
"Researchers study women's risk of rape in military," March 2003,
The New Standard, 6/16/2004
Another clever recruiting campaign. Female recruitment rate is down...let's show a pretty woman in a contest to be pretty. It's not enough that she's an accomplised medical worker.
Comment: I think it is awesome that she is competing in the Miss America. Good luck to you. I want to watch the pagent now just to see how you do!
As to the person that made the comment about how at pagents you can't be married etc. Have you not ever heard of the Mrs. America pagent. It is a pagent for married women and women that have kids. My aunt has competed in the Mrs. NC competition. They do exsist maybe you should check into something before you write it down.
But anyways back onto the topic of the article. I myself am a female in the military I am currently going through the SROTC program and I think it is awesome that she is doing this. It shows people that you don't have to be the "barbie doll" to do stuff like this. And I also think it is a great thing that she was thought so "highly" of by her fellow "battle buddies" that just show what type of person she is. Which I think is a very important thing.
Comment: It is nice to see that there is a woman who can be looked at so positively. Here we have a woman who has graduated high school and while there decided to join the military. She then went to war and was an inspiration to those that were there with her. She then came back (finished or recieved) a college degree in nursing. (which mind you is a resource this country is dire need of) And decided that in all her spare time would go ahead and run for Miss America. Let me just say that she is an inspiration. Here we have a woman who can be looked up to by children, youth, and grown adults. She stands there, showing that we can do anything we want to male and females. When there seems to be limitations standing in front of us, we can put a positive light on it, and be an example for others. By keeping a positive attitude, being courageous and keeping a kind spirit we can all make this country what is truly supposed to be. My America!
Congratulations Sgt. Stevens! You are an inspiration that I and others are able to look to! Best of luck! Whether you win or lose you, you are a role model for so many. Thank you for your service! I appreciate what you have done and what you continue to do! God Bless!
Comment: What I would like to know is how in the hell is this soldier, this woman, entering a beauty pageant going to bring about the end of civilization? If all this is is a stupid pageant what do you people railing against it care? All of you feminists, arent you the same ones that were shouting about what Clinton did in his own time was his business and none of ours? What this woman does on her own time is none of our business, but becasue it is in such a public forum those of us that choose to will be supporting her!
And santaclaus, you have used the terms logical fallicy in a sentence. I guess the word of the day toilet paper has finally paid for itself!
Comment: i love that!!!! way to go jarhead....
Comment: As a former Medic with the U S Army, and though I am a male, I say it is about time these Military members get recognized, for more than being Soldiers. They place their lives in harms way, to protect America, working with wounded soldiers, and people hurt by a war, in distant countries.
She's a WINNER already NO CONTEST.
Comment: BEST QUOTE ALL DAY
"She's a winner already, NO CONTEST!!!!"
Comment: I would also like to add... I am the daughter of a retired Air Force MSGT, the sister of a Tsgt, the fiance of a TSGT and the ex wife of a former SSgt. I work on a military installation. I think it is wonderful that she is able to do both.. She is also not the only one in the military carrying a title. Miss Arkansas is also Active duty. These women are amazing. I don't know them personally, but I would be proud to. almost as proud as I am of the Military people in my life.
WAY TO GO!!
Comment: indysaint you have issues. First you state that one of our soldiers looks like they got hit with shrap metal, then you indicate she is unpleasant looking while in the same breath condeming the pageant for being about someone being pretty. Why don't you post a picture of yourself here and while your at it give us all an indication of what you have done for your country, or even your neighbor!!
Comment: Good for you, Sgt. Jill Stevens! I think it's time we started commending women for something more than being pretty and a size zero!
Comment: hey, i am a women in the military and i have been to iraq. hey stevens " Way to go." no one can talk about how bad iraq is unless they have been there.. good luck and dont let the rude comment bring you down
Comment: 0133 wife needs to take a look in the mirror (and the dictionary) befor she lashes out at one of our troops.Has she made the same sacrifice as Jill?
Comment: YOU GO GIRL!!! How wonderful is that.. I love to see women that can show we all have many sides to ourselves!!! I will be cheering you on!!
She is a breath of fresh air... It takes a very special person to turn a negative into a positive.. and with all the BS that is going on with the pagents these days and the war in Iraq.. she made a positive out of both!!
I HOPE YOU TAKE THE CROWN WHILE WEARING YOUR BDU'S!!!!!!
Comment: Dude. Lighten up! Why do you care so much if she's in a pageant or not? It's not like she's hurting anything by doing it. At least she's out there trying to encourage women and make a difference in this world. What have you done lately?
Comment: emptyjarhead....i told my son to shoot first no matter what...i'd prefer he came home in handcuffs instead of a coffin...
Comment: What a shame! God forbid peolple try to do some good in this world.
Good luck to you in everything you do.
looks like your life as a true HUMAN BEING is off to a good start
MoeRN
Comment: Thank you Grandpa Cory, you just made my point for me. You are right I dont know your son so I should not question his decisions because I am not privy to what went into making that decision. But yet Sgt. Stevens made hers, so I believe that only people that know her should be allowed to question the validity of the decision.
And as for the "shoot first and don't ask questions" issue. If you are a good shot there will be nobody to ask the questions of. And well, Kucinich? He knows how to pick a winner there!
Comment: I don't know her, yet she has placed herself in the public eye, which means she is objected to public scrutiny.
Newsweek should be ashamed for running this peice as such a big deal. If the focus had been on her professional accomplishments rather than genetic, i wouldn't be typing this right now.
Comment: I have a problem with this sentence: "she delivered care packages and medical treatment to villagers, using her persistent smile to wind the confidence of Muslim women and "standoffish" young girls." No offense, but whoopdie-effin do! Do you know how many people military people die a day to really put action and order overseas? So what if one military pretty-girl gets her 15 minutes of fame. What about the other women and men? No offense but women can't be infantry anyways...
I also have a confession with American standards - how low will you degrade every individual? First you start with pagents (you can't be married, you can't have kids, you have to be just like Barbie), then you move on to homegoods show (look out Martha it's all SCANDALIOUS!), and work your way up to remodeling homes (wow, went to that and what a BS cry show- how many times does the family have to run our all happy and cheery and soap opera make-up first wake in the morning) and finally you've already degraded the military (thanks MILITARY MOMS for complaining) so what next? You've taken this military pretty-girl and you've chimed her up to be something that is not offered in her $250,000 contract- last I checked nobody signed their contract saying "will be watched and entered in beauty competition."
Don't we have better things to do? Hey Stevents, you really oughta finish your military contract and then worry about being Miss Freakin' America!!
Comment: WOW!!! You have alot of hate in your sole. Did you ever think Miss Utah could do alot for women in the military?? Did you ever think that maybe if the world sees her as a soldier and a pageant contestant it might do us girls in the military some good?? How you ask?? By showing the world that female soldiers are not just poor white trash looking to get pregnant to get out of their obligation. Be proud of your gender for once lady. Besides that "pretty smile" she gave to a stand offish girl probably just saved me from getting blown up in the near future from a female suicide bomber. A smile can go along way. And I don't care if she isn't one of the ones dying, it takes all types and jobs to make the military function properly!! The rest of us are getting into bad spots over there, that doesn't mean everyone does. So if I don't get shot at I'm not a real soldier?? Good call lady!! Real nice of ya.
Comment: um ok 0311Wife why do you even care what she does with her life? At least she's getting out and doing something productive. I don't know too many girls that would join up with the army right out of highschool. She has definitely done her part. Before you go talking someone else down maybe you should go take a look in the mirror. So what about you? What have you done?
Comment: Just relax, and support OUR men and women in uniform, and who are you judge?
Comment: What have U done?
Comment: santaclaus. You are a selfish troublemaker looking for attention. Go somewhere else, spell your name right and pull your pants up!
Comment: Those who aren't making comments on the article but rather each other are pathetic, you have more logical fallacy pouring of your mouths then a candidate at the presidential debate.
Comment: people who call other people pathetic are pathetic people........so there!!!!
Comment: You are all pathetic you sound like politicians with the amount of logical fallacy you've included in your comments.
Comment: at least you didnt leave any of us out...we're ALL pathetic....oh, can i get your vote??
Comment: As the daughter of an Army mother, daughter of an Army father and the lil sister of an Air Force sister, I can do nothing but say RIGHT ON! Im proud to have a person like you fighting for our country, and would be proud to have a person like you representing this country. It takes sheer courage to join the Armed Forces, and it takes just as much to join the Miss America program. Do all of us women and Army families proud, and I wish you the best of luck!
Comment: The nurses are cheering for you, Jill. Good luck and thanks for your service and protection for all of us here!
Comment: this troop is taking "be all you can be" to a whole new level. hopefully this will show the world that the USA has women who are not only beautiful, talented, intelligent and caring. they are brave and hardcore tough when they need to be.
k. a. mofield, tsgt usaf (ret)
cheyenne, wyoming
Comment: i love having the ever lovin crap tweeked out of me......sounds like a party....
Comment: jar head says it all........empty jar but jar none the less
Comment: Grandpa Cory you are pathetic, as is your son! Becasue he was taught a certain catch phrase that was used for training you think this is a example of why he turned tail? Would he have gone to war if they taught him to count pretty little ponies or unicorns? Face it, he joined for "college money" and when the call came him to put up or shut up, well I would lay money that he voted for John Kerry. Repeatedly!
We all joined for different reasons, but the fact that you and so many like you think that attacking Sgt. Stevens decision because it differs from what your manual said the right decision should be, or that you feel it goes against what you think the statisitics say the outcome should be, well you aare just one pathetic person.
The fact that she had a positive experience inthe military, and that she was admired by her comrades just gauls you to no end because it makes you question what you were told at the kool-aid lectures.
And I was pulling for her to win jut because of the military ties but now I will have to at least tune it becasue I know if the ratings are high enough it will tweek the ever loving crap out of people like you, gingerz, and mike201057!
Comment: Also, I glad you put quotes around "college money" because it shows you also know that's a load of crap. 36,000 at a military designated school isn't enough to risk life and limb.
Comment: Teaching racism is not a "little phrase" This teaches soldiers to 'shoot 1st, and don't ask questions'
by the way, He voted Kucinich actually, but since you don't know him you probably should not assume, as you did.
Comment: support ALL of our troops.
couragetoresist [dot] org
Comment: yes...but can she find america on a map????
Comment: Don't be such a smart ass your not as cool as you think you are.
Comment: don't try and be a smart ass mike you aren't as cool as you think you are. And by the way you talk about it you sound like your an arrogant disresceptful man which I'm surprised if you even have a women
Comment: I was fortunate to meet and work for a short period of time with Sgt Stevens whille in Bagram, Afghanistan in 2004. I am so elated to see such a fine lady with her accomplishments, spirit, humility, and achievements getting press in our days of so much negativity. Jill was an energetic and selfless contributor whenever I saw her, stepping out of her own initiative to make others smile and feel important and appreciated. The unit she was a part of contributed countless hours, dollars and efforts to spread care, compassion and help wherever they went when off-duty, and Jill was a major player in those ambassadorial and compassionate missions. Jill does not need to win this pageant to establish herself - anyone who knows or learns of her spirit, personality, achievements and grace and selflessness cannot be but favorably impressed and understand that her participation is a positive moment. She does not need celebrating, but we can laud and celebrate her accomplishments, service, virtuous achievements and good efforts as things which are more appealing as a measure of success than so many other role models elevated in our society. I smile when I recall Sgt Stevens once donning a homemade or self-fashioned red nose to wear while greeting people attending a meeting at the Bagram base chapel, just because she wanted to make people smile as she welcomed them at the door. The picture I took will remain in my keeping as a fond memory. Best wishes always Jill, to you and all who serve(d) there fellow man.
Comment: Thank you S2Mc for giving us a look into this outstanding woman from your personal perspective.
Comment: Yeah, law enforcement.. Whatever.. take a back seat! I have seen and heard of many "law enforcement" who overextend their "powers" to do whatever, whenever they want. I do not say this for all, but about 80%. I am a nurse like Miss Stevens and have worked with many other who do not abuse our privleges and "power" . When we do that someone dies.
Get off your high, not so moral horse, because most of us Americans see you as abusers.
Miss Stevens has risked her life more times than you wrote speeding tickets in your warm car!
Comment: WOW..GOOD FOR HER..TOO BAD SHE'S LIKE SOOO NOT PRETTY....
Comment: Hooah, my husband joined the Army in August, taking advantage of the extended age eligibility and is now in his Advanced Individual Training. After AIT and some OJT, he'll be deployed to the Middle East. Freedom isn't free ya'll and I'm so proud of him and his "battle buddies". There were 20 others in his boot camp mid-30's or older. Recently a 39 year old father of a soldier who died in Iraq enlisted to "complete his son's mission. You go girl...if America could vote for the winner, Sgt. Stevens should be shoo in. Pray for our troops.
Comment: "Freedom isn't free ya'll"
Are you a real person or a computer programmed to attach cliche war phrases to forums?
Comment: This is truly awesome. I beleive the pageant has lost it's appeal to the U.S due to the changing perceptions of womens abilities and roles here over the last few decades. It would be nice for Miss USA to have more substance and tangibility. For so long now she has been a 50's icon, a moment in time. If we could bring her into the present, make her more respectable and beleivable, the pageant might regain the interest as it does in Latin America. They take this stuff VERY seriously.
I don't know if anyone has seen the reality show Trump has made with Miss USA, Miss Teen USA, and the prevoiusly dethroned Miss Texas I beleive. It's disgusting and un entertaining. It actually embarasses me that these type of snooty, condescending, nuerotic little brats are considered the best the U.S has to offer. With th exception of Miss Texas. I comend her for her humility and honesty. The other two are ridiculous. Even Miss Japan, Miss Universe, was friendly but didn't seem to understand the lack of class exhibited by Miss Teen USA or the "My $%Y don't stink attitude of the New Miss USA.
All in all, I look forward to Miss Utah updating the face of Pageantry.
Comment: Good luck Jill. I don't know you personally but it would be an honor to have someone like you representing the USA. I live in a military community and I appreciate what you do for us to help protect us and allow us to have our freedom. Our country would be much better off if there were more of your type representing us. You are in my prayers! Loretta - Kingsland, Georgia
