Reference no: EM133342752

Case:

In June 2019, two-star Major General Laura Yeager became the first woman in American history to assume command of a U.S. Army infantry division, a force of more than 10,000 soldiers.

Yeager, daughter of a (famous) retired general, joined the army to make money for college. She entered active-duty in 1986 after commissioning as a second lieutenant from the university's ROTC program. She completed military helicopter training in 1989 and served as a Black Hawk pilot for aeromedical evacuation.

Yeager left active duty after eight years when her first son was born, but eventually returned to a military career. She served in a combat aviation unit in Iraq in 2011 and was promoted to brigadier general in 2016. In taking command of the 40th Infantry Division, she now leads a combat unit founded in 1917 and containing a rich history.

The historic milestone of Yeager becoming the first woman to command an American combat division came nearly a quarter century after a government-financed study determined that women could serve in the armed forces.

The integration of women into combat roles continues to be the official policy of the U.S. Department of Defense, but that does not mean it is easy. The military services face an uphill battle to recruit women for combat roles and they each approach the challenge in their own ways because of their unique service identities.

Question:

1. This infantry was formed in 1917, and this is the first time a woman has served in this role. Do you feel there may have been other qualified women to serve in high-profile leadership roles in the military who might have been passed over because of their gender? What about in other companies? What about in politics?

2. Do you believe women have served effectively in combat situations at any time throughout history?

3. Discuss Mark Twain's aphorism, "Always do what is right. It will gratify most of the people and astound the rest," as it relates to leadership.