Quote:
Originally Posted by Warfish
I tend to think it's fine. Being combat millitary is far more than Grunts with a 90 pound pack and an M-16 these days. As time goes on, it will be less and less about that, despite the doubters.
I agree that standards should not be eliminated or lowered, but I'd also say that the standards many are bandying about at not "average grunt", but "elite special forces ultrakiller" standards. The fact is, women are already in combat today, already meet the grunt standards, and already die in that service to our Country. This simply formalizes it, and opens access to those who qualify to the Special Forces Schools.
Take a look at history. When the USSR was on hte brink against the Nazi, plenty of women fought, and plenty of women killed Nazi's. I think the old "oh, women are fragile and must be protected by men, and they can never live up to what men can do" ideal is very, very outdated.
As long as standards are maintained, and maintained at appropriate levels for the jobs at hand, I don't care if it's man or women doing it. Equallity is a core belief, and this helps bring that to this area.
And if we ever face a draft, i.e. the oh ****, we're under attack moment, now we have twice the potential defenders than we had two days ago. As it should be, equallity isn't just about the good things, it's also the responsabillities too. No reason a woman cannot be handed a rifle and told she has to defend her country too today.
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I am afraid the Army and Marines have not learned lessons from the Vietnam War. From a couple returnees I have spoken to and from observation of things seen on TV, the men are more overloaded than every with equipment. It IS more of a grunt effort. Without a widescale conflict, the use of artillery and tanks is more limited than ever and air is also less than in the IRaq and previous wars. It IS boots on the ground - grunts in the mud. If "Super Sally" can perform - fine.
I served some with Rangers in combat. I doubt there is one woman who could perform as a Ranger, let alone Special Forces, Delta or Seal.