management leadership:

Mini-case:Laura Yeager Assumes Command of an Army Infantry Division

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 40^thInfantry 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 centuryaftera 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.

Please chose one of the questions below to answer in 200-350 words.

1. Do you think there may have been inappropriate political influences contributing to Yeager's selection to command the 40^thInfantry Division?
2. Do you think her "command style" is fundamentally any different from the men who have commanded the division in the past?
3. Do you believe women have served effectively in combat situations at any time throughout history?
4. Do you think others in the division might experience any particular challenges because their commander is a woman?