An issue that is again at the forefont of politics in America, here in Australia and, no doubt, else where, is women serving in combat roles.

On surfing the net, i came across the below article wriiten by a female vet and though it would be interesting to get some opinions from other OGers, especially those who have served.

I understand that this can be an emotive issue, but I'm looking for informed, intelligent debate, not some chauvinistic slanging match. Please keep this civil.

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"Every man thinks meanly of himself for not having been a soldier..."

- Samual Johnson, 1778

I don't like the aspect of women in combat because we as in males are gonna be naturally protective of them due to instinctual habits. Women leaders are not really taking seriously when it comes to males, at least males soldiers in all male military specialities. I am not trying to discount the womens role in todays military as everybody has a job but their job in combat arms should be left out. I am an active duty soldier in a combat military occupational specialty so take this as you will.

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Bravo to the female marine who wrote this article.

Little hard to use the "typical male sexist" comment since it was written by a woman.

I wont rehash what she said (and quite well) but add another (abit unpopular) fact to the mix.

War is a nasty, distructive, maiming and lethal business.
The idea that there are rules are a joke.

The basic idea of war is to kill, maim, and break things so the enemy is unable or unwilling to continue.

While not condoned we as a society have come to accept males comming home mentally scarred, tortured, maimed and comming home in body bags (killed).

We view it as a necessary evil and while a factor to consider, not a reason to stop a just conflict.

We as a society are not prepared and for the most part willing to accept our mothers/sisters/wives to come home maimed for life, psycologically scarred, raped, and/or comming home in body bags.

This could lead us to consider stopping a just war due to the internal emotions those images would bring.

Cold hard truth is we are not prepared to treat what happens to women in combat arms the same as men.

Lastly women do NOT want to be held to the same standard as men.

Remember when women fought to get into VMI (virginia military institute). When it was suggested they be required to follow the basic tenant of getting their heads shaved as men do they threw a fit.

Now there maybe not as much an issue but in combat and BASIC TRAINING it is a must for many reasons. That is just ONE item that the feminist dont want as "equal".

I know my views may not be popular and I know a few woman that could meet the requirements that men do.

But as a whole nature/god/whatever made men and women DIFFERENT.

Not everything a woman can do a man can do and vice versa.

Scrounger

Honestly, I don't think gender is a factor of instinct, Doc, because I'm pretty sure when a member of your squad that you see daily, you patrol with or whatever, when the bullets fly, it doesn't matter whether he's black, white, hispanic, asian, male, or female, because you are going to do damn near anything to defend a friend.

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Official Unofficial Splinter Cell

I only have 4 issues about this:

1- They should be included in the draft too, they have no reason to be excluded now. Of course, they don't want this, but neither do we (men)

2-They should be held to the same fitness standards as men. If they can't hump a 130 lb pack around all day and have to have a man carry it for them then the squads effectiveness goes down.

3-They need to keep their legs together. The focus needs to stay on the mission, not based on protecting their women.

4-Affirmitive action must NOT happen. I can just see the massive campaign for women now.

I'm gonna close this thread for a couple of reasons.
1. I don't think a member of the staff was asked about posting this thread.
2. The link to the article is from a political website.

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