Should women be allowed to serve in the army?

Question

I meant any army. Our (Irish) army allows women, and the British army does as well. There are a few male only units left (i.e. British Marines, French Foreign Legion). joining the latter, in October, actually.

Answer 1

I actually beleive that, yes, they should be allowed, but --just for fun-- I'm going to argue the otherway to balance up the opinions mentioned so far.

Firstly, it has been recognised that --providing the woman can meet the physical demands neccecary-- they should be treated in no way differently. If this could bring a large surge of women into the military, there'd be no problem. Unfortunately, whilst some women can meet the criteria, most can't, so few would realistically be recruited. The number of women brought in wouldn't be enough to warrent the changes that would have to be made --the logistical problems, the difficulties in accomodation and the neccecary new protocols to deal with discipline issues that arise. It would be bad for the military.

Secondly, when women are introduced into active service and --presumably-- integrated in with men, sexual relationships will form. This is not healthy for a fighting force. To loose a comrad in combat is hard enough, but to loose your wife/husband is too much. Furthermore, active service can be lonely and induce home-sickness. Imagine how it would feel to see your friend so blisfully happy with their lover, whilst you crave for your family... thousands of miles away. To have that constant reminder of what you're missing would demoralise the whole company.

And, thirdly, even if in our democratised countries we treat women with respect and equality (or try to, at least), other countries --especially in the middle east-- do not. Their fate, as a prisioner of war, will be different from a man's. Men are also at risk of rape and torture, but for women the chance is far worse. The recent capture of british sailors highlights another problem: their use as propaganda tools. Fay Turner's (the only woman captured) became the prominant figure in the propaganda war by Iran. This was neither suprising, nor a mistake. The emotions evoked at seeing a captured women in the media can act as a powerful propaganda tool for our enemies. What's more, it's more than just the morality of those at home at stake. Fay turner's male comrads would have feared for her --feared her being raped, tourtured and killed-- conjuring up emotions more powerful than had she been a man (imagine if one of them was in a relationship with her!). The men would soon buckle under innterogation --releasing sensitive info-- to save the woman.

Answer 2

I believe the Army has the right policy toward women right now. They may serve in the Army but not in combat arms fields. These are fields such as the infantry, cavalry, combat engineers, etc.

Although women do see plenty of combat because of fields such as engineers and especially military police.

Sure, there are some women that can meet the physical needs of being in the infantry but most can not and it is more fair to not include any women then make them have to go through a special battery of tests to prove they are worthy.

On a more logistics side women need more hygiene then men do. While a guy is okay without a shower for two straight months a woman is a different story. When I was in the infantry going to the field for a month coming back in for a week and being right back out for another month was not totally unheard of.

Answer 3

I wrote my undergraduate history thesis on this subject. After all my boring research, I eventually reached the conclusion that if women can meet the same requirements that men must for entry into the military--requirements that are necessary to prove an individual can handle the stresses and physical demands of the job--then I'm satisfied. Although I have nothing but the deepest respect for those people who give over their lives to serving this country, there's quite a bit of evidence that women consistently underperform men. And that's to be expected when there are widely different standards for enrollment into the military. So, I suggest that men and women be held to the same physical standards (within reason).

Answer 4

Others have already ably responded that Orthodox ladies can and do serve within the latest navy. As for "Old Testament days" -- Jews by no means had an historic testomony. Jews best have the only covenant of Sinai. But if you're asking whether or not ladies had been viewed eligible to perform navy movement in historic Israel -- When the chieftain (pass judgement on) Devorah despatched phrase to Barak to assault whoever it used to be that used to be besieging Israel on the time, Barak informed her that he used to be no longer going to assault except she observed him. This is probably the most direct reference to a girl going to struggle within the Hebrew Bible. Post Biblicaly, on the time of the Second Temple we now have the tale of Judith. This isn't rather a struggle challenge however - Judith and her feminine frame servant went to the camp of the ordinary besieging her town, organized for an viewers and (to make an extended tale quick) beheaded him.

Answer 5

Yes but not in the Infantry. When they can carry 80 lbs 10 miles then I would say sure. I know there are some that can but they are not going to make it that difficult or people would be even more outraged. The fact is that women are not physically strong enough, in general to cope. The standards would have to be lowered so that the average female could do it.

Answer 6

Yes, they should be allowed to serve in the armed forces and should have billets that are supportive in most of the areas of the military structure. Billets should be structured to accomodate the gender and the ranking and compensation should be commensurate with the guidlines for rank advancement and pay that is entitled to that rank.

Answer 7

I'm a woman, and I believe that they should be allowed in the army. I believe that if we want equal rights, then that should include fighting as well. Not just men should have to risk their lives for our country, but so shouldn't women.

Answer 8

Are you referring to the U.S. Army? Women already serve in the U.S. Army, and often in dangerous capacities such as truck drivers, Military Police and Combat Medics. Women aren't prohibited from doing certain jobs (Infantry, etc) because of their danger, they are prohibited from doing those jobs because so few women (even those with lower body strength who can out-run men) posses the upper body strength to be infantrymen.

Answer 9

Becuase of a lot of brave women, a lot of scared men wont have to enlist.

Answer 10

I'm in the Army.