Ripped from the headlines at Military.com — I think this is one we can all support…
Swedish female soldiers are demanding the military provide them with combat-tested bras, amid complaints that the sports bras they must buy themselves unhook too easily, officials say.
Unlike their male counterparts who are provided with military-issue underwear, Sweden’s 500-odd women conscripts must buy bras themselves since there are no military-issue brassieres, according to the Council of Conscripts, a union-like organisation.
“The women have had to buy sports bras instead. But they are not tested for combat situations nor for fire safety, and they are not functional. They unhook too easily,” Council spokeswoman Paulina Rehbinder told AFP.
She criticised the military for its lack of gender equality, in a country widely considered a pioneer in the field.
“This sends a signal to women. You should be able to come to your workplace and be provided with equipment that works and that is safe,” she said.
“There have been women in the Swedish military for more than 30 years but bras have never been provided by the military,” she lamented, noting however that the military gave conscripts money to buy their bras.
Best comment from Military.com readers “Swedish made bras unhook easily. Who would have ever guessed?”
I stand ready to lend a hand in the upcoming “combat tests”…any other volunteers?
– Christian
{ 26 comments… read them below or add one }
Do the females in the US military wear bras?
If they do, might it not be a simple matter to buy bras from the US.
This would add much needed support to the US economy.
Maybe a wider test of various brands of sports bras? Nobody mentioned what they use now, but UK producers have a pretty good supply of various kinds of sports bras.
While I’m assuming that that is a photo of a model portraying a female in the Swedish Army,I think they also need to invest money on hair pins & berets(I hope I spelled that right,you know devices to keep long hair pinned up). Bras weren’t very popular among continental European women,at least they weren’t when I was in Germany,both in the 80′s & the 90′s. I thing only recently they started shaving their legs & underarms(I’m talking “Continental” Europe,so don’t bash me on this,Brits).
“”Best comment from Military.com readers “Swedish made bras unhook easily. Who would have ever guessed?”
I stand ready to lend a hand in the upcoming “combat tests”…any other volunteers?”"
ROFLMFAOWSMP
Swedish hotties…with guns…and self unhooking bras. Just contemplating the possibilities is going to keep me behind my desk for a while. ;-)
What sports bras are they using? If they are unhooking there are plenty of sports bras that have no hooks and provide support. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for Swedes stepping up and getting it right, but it seems to me there a real options that work. And Zandor point is right on – what is the US using and let’s sell it.
How long until some Senator/Representative uses this as a reason why women can’t be in combat roles? “They are a fire hazard, I say!”
Christian,
Please keep us abreast of any interesting developments in this vital matter of Swedish security. I’ve always felt your passion for military journalism to be very uplifting, and I’d really like to stay ahead of the curve on this story.
Is there a position for someone to test how easy they are to unhook and where can I apply for that position?
This has to be the best story of the day by far. Thank you Sweden for this.
I can’t believe that Obama did not address this issue at the UN today. Now here is something that the whole world can come together on and find a solution to this problem. Because if we don’t fix this problem RIGHT NOW the whole world is going to come to an end by 12:00PM Friday.
Let’s see… get Obama, Ajkmenutjob, Q-Daffy and Chavez on that human rights committee and get that Swedish girl in the pic the right bra.
PS Don’t you love real blond hair?
Have fun with this while you can guys, because in a few years you’re going to see a lot of women on websites like this. A Christina might even eventually take over from Christian.
“Have fun with this while you can guys, because in a few years you’re going to see a lot of women on websites like this. A Christina might even eventually take over from Christian.”
Fine by me.
As long as she has big jugs.
Actually, I see a huge opportunity for some vendor to take advantage of such a thing. There are tons of industries that could benefit from a ‘combat bra’. Something that is fire resistant, without wires, tough, easy to put on and off (with secure closure), funk resistant, and colored for the various uniforms out there. The bra should also fit well under armor, and maybe even have compartments on it for a small pistol or money. Who knows, but obviously there is a market for something like this. The big one is comfort, and if a company can get all of that right, they could make some coin.
Yes. We must be kept abreast of this ballooning story. With torpedo-like accuracy this website strives to contain the heaving orbs of information that threaten to bust out from the headlines. I think the amazing mounds of information that I glean from this titular website really hit the jugular.
@ Anonymous and WJS
LOL!!!
I think I would like a nice TDY to Sweden.
I got it: The Brazooka!
Love all the jokes from the guys, however being a female in the US military for over 20 years it is an issue that males are issued underware and women are not (tops or bottoms) and they are not provided clothing allowance to purchase such items. If a female does not have a properly supportive bra that doesn’t ride up or snap when working in the field then she not only will be in pain but after time there will be irreversable damage to her pectoral muscles and (the thing that you guys never like) droopy breasts.
All jokes aside, proper support and safety are necessary for combatants and others. I was “iossued” my first complete uniforms in basic, after that we were given a uniform allowance to maintain minimum required uniforms, this allowance covered uniforms from shoes to head covers and everything between.
THe military should make appropriate, attire that conforms with appearance, safety, and allows all to complete thier assigned missions.
From what I recall females in the Navy did not like wa=hat was available to them through uniform shops and most bought their under garments in the civilian market.
Are all these comments politically correct?
I sense a new military campaign brewing…
The heck with Afghan with their camels, lets invade Sweden!!!
“Are all these comments politically correct?”
Hell no. PC is for humorless lesbians and geeks who can’t get laid waving $50 bills in a Panama City cathouse.
Well ladies let’s not get the “girls” in a twist!
I think the Swedish soldiers should show-off the the problem. I hate the thought of a national resource going to waste!
Hmm, I think it was a Swedish Defense Plan that called for these beauties to have failing bras. Instead of having to discourage Russia from invading, the girls could drop the tops and the soldiers would just surrender.
Who would have thought “The Bra” would solve all of our economic problems. Good thinking on the economy comment but we would have to sell a hell of alot of bras to fix our economy and they said only 500 odd female conscripts.
That blonde in camo paint is just TOO hot. Er- what was the story about?
Cheap laughs at a real world problem. The real problem, to which the bra-problems is just another story (but good luck trying to find male underwear in fire-resistant material the next time your in town, btw), is that the body armour and particurly the ceramic plates will crush the breasts as it stops the impact. How would you like to wear a female breast plate reversed?
Guys, grow up. Swedish women does the job side by side with our men in Afghanistan.