Story by Cpl. Megan Sindelar
Date: 07.13.2010
Posted: 07.15.2010 10:18

PATROL BASE SAIPAN, Afghanistan – Lance Cpl. Sharhonda U. Jones had constantly been asking her command for a chance to deploy, so when they approached her and told her about the new female engagement team program, she jumped at the opportunity.
The 21-year-old from Wills Point, Texas, trained for three months before she deployed. She participated in field and weapons training, as well as classes on the Pashtu language and civil affairs.
The FET members, with Regimental Combat Team 7, believe that the more they go out and are seen by Afghan men, they will start to see what their women are capable of and give them a chance to become business women, teachers and even members of the government. Male Marines cannot effectively talk to the Afghan women because of cultural sensitivities.
“When I had to search my first Afghan woman, it was scary,” said Jones, originally an administration clerk. “I could see she was uncomfortable because she thought I was a guy.”
Jones, admitting it was hard to engage Afghan women at first, said that most of the locals in this area have never seen an African-American female before. They have grown accustom to only seeing African-American males come through. Every time Jones visits a compound or is involved in a village medical outreach, the local females automatically assume she is a male.

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Lance Cpl. Sharhonda Jones, a female engagement team member with Regimental Combat Team 7, gives the thumbs up to a compliment made about her sunglasses during a village medical outreachat Patrol Base Siapan, Marjah, Afghanistan, July 12. Jones, originally an adminstration clerk, volunteered to be a part of the FET program, created to connect with Afghan women. Jones, 21, is from Wills Point, Texas.
Mary Ann Merritt