Ten Hut!

I am from Utah and I think that it is great what Jill is and has done. She is a role model for so many young girls. She is telling us that even in a "Mans" world, you can still be beautiful and feminine. Me also being in a very male dominate field of study its always nice to see someone who is in the same shoes and has all ready been though what I am about to take on. Thanks Jill and good luck at Pageant! You are going to do awesome.

Grandacory, what are grid coordinates? Fire mission, over!

grandpa cory,
I have to fully disagree with your comments. The different branches of armed forces are institutions made of humans, of people from different walks of life, of different ages and even cultures, therefore are not perfect institutions. Your opinions are just that, your opinions, and in my opinion they are baseless opinions of the general environment in the armed forces. The behaviors you are expressing are stereo typical for a person that has very little knowledge of the overall environment in the armed forces. As a retiree of the armed forces and a military leader while serving; I will tell you that the behavior you descried is frowned upon and dealt with without hesitation. Once again the armed forces are comprised of humans and there will be cases and situations as you described. It is preposterous to imply that this narrow minded opinion of yours is the prevalent culture in the armed forces.

This is not an article about sexual harassment in the military. I served my active duty time in the Army, in a combat zone, and let me tell you as a female soldier I knew that my fellow soldiers, mostly male, had my back. Not because they had some seedy motive, but because that is what you do, you take care of each other. I want to know if "grandpa cory" served. "Grandpa cory" did you serve? "grandpas" comment that ???Sexism is deeply embedded in military culture."is too narrow. Grandpa-sexism is deeply embedded in AMERICAN culture, and your berating comments do not take us any further away from that. I agree with "buick widow", this man's response was uneducated to say the least, nevertheless not on point. This article is about a female American soldier and a beauty pageant. I am so encouraged that a beautiful caring morale female soldier has stood up to show that women can be both poised and strong. HOOAH!!! Outstanding Sgt. Jill Stevens!!! Female GI???s ROCK!!! Hooah!!!

Thank you Ms.Fantin. Good Luck Sgt.Stevens.
America needs more women of your cut, Sgt.Stevens.
Talk about the All-American story!

Why does being in the Mrs America pageant have to have anything to do with sexual fantasy, sexism or sex? Why can't she do this and serve our country? Jill, hats off to you for pursuing all your dreams and for protecting this great country. You make us proud. Good Luck, I will be watching.

I think she is well deserving of even being considered for the title of Ms USA, representing out country in a war zone then coming home and being a very positive role model, and who knows what inspiring she could do to let up comming people to make a change and to go and to protect our country GO G.I. JILL USA posted by proud and support my family over in Iraq and in Utah

What is wrong with some of you people? Are you that jealous that you have to make fun of the girls who actually so these pageants? Do you know how much guts it takes to actually get out there in front of millions of people and speak, and do your talent, and be in a bathing suit? Most of these girls who are in these pageants are some of the smartest girls out there. So what if the military wants to support her. She went over seas to protect our country, to protect us, and to make sure we are still living the life of freedom to this day. All these girls in this pageant have in their own way helped people. They do so much charity work in their lives and give many hours of their life to help others. Shouldn't we give them a pat on the back for that instead of calling them sluts or something just because they wear a bathing suit on a stage? Its the 21st century, times have changed. We women get to make our own decisions, we get to have freedom to do what we want, when we want , and how we want. I am very grateful for that. I hope she wins this pageant and I hope she keeps doing what she's doing.

"The fact that her bravery as a soldier is not enough to bring recognition---she must then be paraded for her beauty. This tells us it is never enough to just be a be a woman doing something as good as a man."- gingerz

sexist-the title itself is a play on words that rates a women on a scale. lets not get up tight people, a sense of humor and flexiblity makes life a lot better. best of luck; it would be a great boost to see a vet make it.

I am an Army Veteran and I say, "GO FOR IT. STAND TALL AND WALK PROUD FOR YOU ARE REPRESENTING ALL FEMALE VETERANS IN ONE FORM OR ANOTHER. I will be cheering for you. OOORAH!!!!!!!!

I would like to know were the gentalment got his info. I was an MP for 6 years active 14 in the Guard and never herd that figure. I worked a total of two rapes on two law enforcement tours. One was done by civilians to a femail who had a spanged ankel during a battlion run. As for an Academy only officers go them not the enlisted. The language the gentalmen used reminds me of some one who never even sat down with some one in the Military and eat a meal with some one in the military. As for the gentalman's bibliogrphy can he support them with the military police crime stats.

I think that it is great that our young women can have a few real women to look up to. It shows them that there is nothing wrong with being physically and mentally strong as well as being a gorgeous feminine women. We should not have to choose between the two! I wonder if she wishes for World Peace!!!!!! Congradulations, God Bless, and good luck!

As an army nurse, I read this and was so happy. Not only because of a military woman being in the pageant. But also because I went to Combat Medic School with Stevens in 2002. She set the example for every soldier. She maxxed the male PT test and sang the national anthem. I spent many weekends hanging out with her because she was always doing what was right when no one else was. She is a woman of strong character. She is strong physically, mentally, morally, and emotionally. After the army took us in different directions I always wondered what happened to her. I think she embodies the characteristics that Miss America needs. She is my role model. Now I am glad that thousands of young girls across Utah and America will have a chance to respect her as much as I always have. I am proud of GI Jill

grandpa cory,
I have to fully disagree with your comments. The different branches of armed forces are institutions made of humans, of people from different walks of life, of different ages and even cultures, therefore are not perfect institutions. Your opinions are just that, your opinions, and in my opinion they are baseless opinions of the general environment in the armed forces. The behaviors you are expressing are stereo typical for a person that has very little knowledge of the overall environment in the armed forces. As a retiree of the armed forces and a military leader while serving; I will tell you that the behavior you descried is frowned upon and dealt with without hesitation. Once again the armed forces are comprised of humans and there will be cases and situations as you described. It is preposterous to imply that this narrow minded opinion of yours is the prevalent culture in the armed forces.

rarely do i post comments but I can't say enough how encouraging this story is. I am proud of this girl and you know what, it does take guts! Its not just about being paraded around for her beauty nor for her bravery and skill as a soldier, this is about someone who is not afraid to step out of the box not for her glory or gain but for the moral of those around her! We need people like this; I commend her highly and am going to be praying for lives to be encouraged and touched in uplifting ways as she continues on in her endevours.

I am an Army Veterans and I say, "GOT FOR IT". BE PROUD AND STAND TALL BECAUSE YOU ARE REPRESENTING ALL OF US. I will be cheering you on......

Grandpa Cory, Navynavajogirl, it is amazing at how quickly you seem to throw the stereotypes out there because this soldier is pursuing something that you disagree with. This story has nothing to do with sexual harrasment, or with the sexualizing of female soldier. This ha everything to do with the story of a woman that is an inspiration to others and has laid her life onthe line so that others ay live, and that others may enjoy life. Simply because you do not agree with this woman's chopices does not give you the right to spew your bitterness or cynicism towards her. The truth be told is that the military is nothing more than a microcosm of the American society, and if these things are prevalent as you say they are in the military maybe you should be looking at the grander scale to address them there first.

As a Marine I commend you, even if you are in the Air Force! OOORAH!