Women in the military...What do you think?

Question

As women are becoming more prominent in military service...where do we draw the line, or do we?

Why do people hate seeing women in the service?

What makes women substandard?

What do you all think about women being allowed into the special forces. There is talk about letting women attend Ranger school?

I would say that in today's military and situation in Iraq women are playing a much more equal part with their male counterparts. How do you all think that has changed our military as of today...if any?

...and afghanistan

Ok, here we go...I believe women have the ability to be much more ruthless and cruel. I think we can emotionally detach because we are so in touch with our feelings. I think we have capability to do much more horrific acts in times of war then men.

Answer 1

I'm a Military Retiree (and Female), so can speak of the fact that women in the Military already do most of the same missions (jobs), with the same mission (job) requirements as their fellow male servicemembers.

That said -- the line is drawn in the traditional ground combat fields -- infantry and special forces are still only men.

I worked very hard to obtain and stay current in my military speciality .. and did the deployments, the training, the physical standards, the Military Continuing Education and all other requirements and activities to go up through the ranks like the males that I served with.

I do talk to those who will listen about my experiences in the Military .. and I do acknowledge that at times, I did have to leave my children behind to fulfill the mission requirements -- knowing that they will be well-cared for by those I chose was what allowed me to keep the focus on the mission requirements.

I applaud the current group of male and female servicemembers who are still serving as well. THEY ALL ARE VOLUNTEERS ... Volunteering to do what others will NOT .. and this country's freedoms depend on their service. Do NOT discourage those who are willing to volunteer .. instead encourage them ... and keep them in your prayers.

Answer 2

"What makes women sub-standard?"

For working in supply units? Nothing.

As infantrymen? Women on average posess about 45% less upper body strength than men. Also, whenever you have men and women working together in close quarters there will be sexual tension. In a supply unit, it's a small problem that most people are mature enough to deal with. On the frontlines, it could be deadly.

The military is not about what is best for the individual. It is about what is best for the team and as far as ground combat goes, boys only is the best way to go.

The army should probably take a cue from the marines however and see that their women are better *trained* for combat, though. Actually, all "in the rear with the gear" units should. Something people forget about the unit Jessica Lynch belonged to was that her sergeant was a man, and his weapon was cared for as poorly as hers.

To recap:
Women in the military: yes.
Women in ground combat: no.

Addendum: Women as rangers and special forces would be a terrible idea for the same reason that women being infantrymen is a terrible idea.

Addendum2: War is not about being ruthless, it's about remaining level-headed enough to accomplish an objective. Do you want to know what happens when ruthless women (or men, for that matter) join the military? Look at Lynndie England and her fiancee' Spc Graner. Not your best argument.

Answer 3

I was in the military, and I'm a woman. From my prospective, with all the stigma attached to being a female service member, I found I had to work twice as hard to gain half the recognition. It's not easy.

We're definitely not "butch" like some above poster said. Some of us have families, and go to work each day to support that family just like any other average man or woman. How we earn our paycheck has no bearing on our sexual orientation. That statement was somewhat offensive, but I digress.

As for where we draw the line, that should be left entirely up the the service member in question. Yes, women should "pull their own weight" and not use their femininity to their advantage. But, I don't believe a woman who is the sole provider of her family should be sent off to war.

Answer 4

There is no question that women are better at nurturing and caring tasks than men, and that, on the average, women lack the strength of men.

But that is averages. Everyone is different. There are thousands and thousands of women who are more capable in many areas than their male counterparts. And it's not just foolish, it's not just bigotry; it's stupid to deny a capable woman the chance to excel in the military.

We should definitely NOT lower standards just to accommodate women in the military. And there are very good social and operational reasons why women should not be in integrated direct combat units. But women should not be denied the chance to contribute to the defense of the United States and its global interests.

I've known top-notch female Soldiers from privates to generals - they were important contributors to their units who really made a difference. While I recognize that statistically more women can perform better as nurses or administrators, we must realize and support the facts that many women can help our defense with outstanding performance as pilots, engineers, or other important combat support roles.

Why do people hate women in uniform? Because on the average women are wonderful at 'un-military' roles such as caring for children and providing for families at home. But the average does not describe every woman, and among the hundred+ million women in this country, there are plenty that can out-perform the average man in traditionally male tasks.

What makes women substandard? WHOAH! Hold on! The average female is weaker than her male counterpart; less aggressive, less genetically predisposed to the kind of tasks a combat job requires. But, again, that's an average. There are lots of women on the far end of the bell curve who can beat males on the other end of their distribution. We need to allow those women the opportunity to contribute.

Answer 5

Women are becoming more prominent in the military, but the camouflage ceiling will eventually be breached.

Women can and should be in the military. Let's face it, brains are more critical to the mission than brawn in the modern military. Armies no longer have to march for weeks into enemy territory and live off the land. There are plenty of jobs in the military to match with the skill and strength of each person, regardless of gender. The line should be drawn at each individual's abilities and the needs of the branch they are serving in. Frankly, the military can't afford to continue it's 20th century sexist ways. They need all the help they can get.

And Gwen Stefani is not a veteran.

Answer 6

No lines. I was in the Marine Corps and worked to be one of the first women to be a crew chief on a helicopter. I did my job as well as the guys I went to school with. I wanted to serve and would have done so without question. I think most women that join the service feel that same way.

I think it should be all or nothing. And nothing really isn't an option.

Answer 7

I served 5 years in the military. I think that everyone has a place in the military regardless of sex. Every US citizen is covered by the Constitution regardless of sex. If a woman wants to serve, let her. If other women don't, then don't and don't put those down that do. Did you know that Gwen Stefani is a veteran of the Marine Corp?

Answer 8

I believe the military has already "drawn a line" so to speak. Women are not allowed, to my knowledge, on the front lines. They are not battlefield soldiers, though they still must have the training as their job may take them into such areas. Generally though they're not placed there intentionally.

The reasoning behind this is not fear of their inability to fight but rather the military believes that the men on the field with them would take unwise risk to protect the women from harm and thereby endanger both of them.

Answer 9

I think women in the military is just fine. I had a a female that worked for me when I was a Sergeant, and while she couldn't do the heavy lifting that most of the men could, we had a component for our aircraft that weighed in at around 90 pounds, and she couldn't lift it and carry it. She would hitch it up and carry it 20 feet or so and then set it down and try again. She was a hard worker, never complained, but wanted to prove that she was willing to try. I offered to help and she refused it. Later she told me that she had to show herself that she was capable of performing the tasks assigned to her, and she didn't want to be treated differently.

The only time that female military members bother me are the ones that have a feminist streak in them. They want to be one of the boys but get upset when you don't treat them like ladies.

Answer 10

I think we as a nation need to look at historical precsident. The Celts had a brave woman lead them against the Romans. It wasn't a blazing success in hte end, but she was a cpable woman. Bodica, or something like that. There were SEVERAL NAtive AMerican tribes that had the women as warriors.

Women have the capacity to be more ruthless in hte situation. On hte same token, they are the life-givers, makingthem the ones that would have the "natural" right to be the life-taker as well, or as it goes in one ofthe now-extinct tribes of the American West.

There should be NO PROBLEM with women in military service. I served with several when I was in. I saw no problem. I would be proud to be in a foxhole with any of them.