Reply #13: The terms 'females' and 'women' are not comparable.

[Captain Hilts]

I've lived in the navy community all my life and women - dependents and naval personnel - HATE being called 'females' so long as men are called 'men'.

It's just about playing fair.

A summary:

men - women
male - female
gentlemen - ladies.

I really don't look to the navy for insight or accurate or sensitive use of language, particularly in reference to gender. I know women who fly F-18s and knew the first woman to make the rank of captain, USNA graduates and they don't like being referred to by the noun 'females'. If they referred to "Officers and males" of the USS Whatever, then it wouldn't be so bad, but they don't.

I don't think women in the military really care if men don't think the way women are referred to is a problem.