Marine Officer Fired After Recruits Said She Tried to Hold them to Same Standard as Men

A Marine officer has been fired, in part, after recruits under her supervision complained that she told them that men would see them as inferior if they did not meet physical standards.

Lt. Col. Kate Germano, formerly of the 4th Recruit Training Battalion at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, was dismissed after complaints of a “toxic environment” under her command.

Lt. Col. Germano

Among the complaints: she told her recruits that “male Marines would not take orders from them and would see them as inferior if they could not meet men’s physical standards.”

Despite “dramatically improved range qualification rates for female recruits” under Germano’s leadership, hurt feelings saw her fired. She is currently petitioning lawmakers for redress.