The soldiers teetered down the road in complete uniform except their shoes. Those were red high heels. The Army ROTC program at Temple University in Philadelphia participated in the college’s Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event, where men squeezed into high heels and tottered a mile to raise awareness of sexual assault against women. An important issue? Yes. Gimmicky? Yup. Embarrassing for the U.S. Army? Undoubtedly. In violation of Army regulations? Possibly.

“Attendance is mandatory and if we miss it we get a negative counseling and a ‘does not support the battalion sharp/EO mission’ on our CDT OER for getting the branch we want,” wrote a cadet supposedly involved in the march. “So I just spent $16 on a pair of high heels that I have to spray paint red later on only to throw them in the trash after about 300 of us embarrass the U.S. Army tomorrow.”

Red State reports, “It is also against Army Regulations to require soldiers to buy items of clothing for wear while on duty.” Furthermore, when Red State contacted the U.S. Army Cadet Command, it informed the writer it encourages ROTC programs in participating in efforts to reduce sexual assault, but it does not make the events mandatory. But at least at one ROTC, the only way to advance in Obama’s Army is to hold the correct views, go to all the right political events, and put on the red high heels. More…