Women's Combat Role on Front Burner

[Pendragon_6]

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
June 27, 2005

Washington - With more than 200,000 women serving in the U.S. military, Americans have long been accustomed to seeing them marching in combat boots right alongside men.

But none of that prepared the nation for the grim news that at least four female American troops were killed and 11 others wounded in Iraq late Thursday when a suicide bomber struck a Marine convoy near the insurgent stronghold of Fallujah.

The bloodiest attack against American women in more than two years of war in Iraq, the incident highlighted the debate over women in combat.

More than three decades after women began to be integrated into the mainstream Army, many Americans still believe that dying for the flag is men's work and that the institutionalized killing and maiming of women is a form of savagery.

"It's still a question as to whether this is the way we want to go as a nation," said Elaine Donnelly, a leading opponent of placing women in harm's way. "Is it OK to not only condone but to encourage deliberate violence against women, through combat? Is that a step forward for civilization or is it a step backward?"


In Full
Military.com (http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,FL_women_062705,00.html)

[HomeschoolrsRUs]

Women do not belong in combat zones, period, I don't care if they are qualified, equipped, trained, or excel beyond expectation -- war is not a game, nor is it for the tenderhearted. Having women on the front lines endanger everyone -- IF we desensitize our men to the plight of a female in combat, they will carry those ideas home as well. We have ALREADY devalued the male's role in society -- husband's aren't needed, father's aren't needed, male role models aren't needed, male bread winners aren't needed. Women have no business in active combat situations -- call me a prude, old fashioned, whatever, I don't care.

[Primitive]

Women do not belong in combat zones, period, I don't care if they are qualified, equipped, trained, or excel beyond expectation -- war is not a game, nor is it for the tenderhearted. Having women on the front lines endanger everyone -- IF we desensitize our men to the plight of a female in combat, they will carry those ideas home as well. We have ALREADY devalued the male's role in society -- husband's aren't needed, father's aren't needed, male role models aren't needed, male bread winners aren't needed. Women have no business in active combat situations -- call me a prude, old fashioned, whatever, I don't care.

I am going to call you WONDERFUL! I wish all women thought this way.
As a man, it is rather heartbreaking to have to see women treated as "equals". Women are the glory of a man (I think the Bible says this somewhere).
Thanks for having your head on straight and not being a "feminazi"...:thumb:

I could go on and on about not having women in combat. But for the most part, rape, scandals between troops over "relationships", and demoralization due to seeing women treated like bullet catchers is enough to make a man go insane...literally.

[JimRaynor]

Hrm...
I personally know a female (who uhm... I like, and she likes me) who'd enlist, but since she can't fight... won't.
I agree, if you want to fight... you should be able to.

[HomeschoolrsRUs]

I agree, if you want to fight... you should be able to.

Being in the military is NOT about what a person wants it's about doing what is right. A person that is thinking about their OWN wants in this respect is NOT thinking about what is best for this country, our military, our ability in times of war. The military is NOT a social experiment -- nothing should ever detract from the mission . . . thinking of one's self INSTEAD of one's country is not what is best for the mission, military, country or service.

It is NOT demeaning to women for them NOT to be in the military, there are plenty of areas which females excel in, greater even than men, pride should be in doing what is best for the country, not in exerting self into a selfless situation.

[JimRaynor]

Well, I disagree.
I just think that women should be able to explore all aspects of the military.

Isn't it a "Army of one"? Just thought of that.
And no one is selfless, as much as they'd like to be. People have families, people have lives. They'd give it for their country but they would regret not being able to be with their families and live the rest of their life. No one is comfortable with dieing, for any cause, but sometimes you gotta kill or be killed... and America is a thing worth dieing for. But there is hesitation of course... but for the better good make the other guy die for his country (sorry Churchill), not you.

So why can men die for their country, but not women? Are men the only ones supposed to die in war? I just don't understand this argument.

[HomeschoolrsRUs]

So why can men die for their country, but not women? Are men the only ones supposed to die in war? I just don't understand this argument.

This is not about "feelings." You have to take in the big picture -- women are not as strong as men (there are exceptions, that's the point they are EXCEPTIONS not the rule), women make easy targets (easier to use as a hostage, easier abuse and cause people to become emotional on their behalf, etc.), women are a distraction (sorry, but it's a fact, men are attracted to women and they WILL behave in manners they shouldn't at inappropriate times), women require "things' men do not (monthly times), women in combat is NOT the most efficient use of military personnel (this does NOT discount their worth, they should be used where they are best suited).

There is no REASON for women to serve in active combat -- it doesn't negate their value for them to be behind the scenes. Again, the military services are NOT social experiments, they are necessary for the safety, protection, and defense of this great country. "Self-Esteem" and feel-good policies aren't relevant.

Guess you and I will just have to agree to disagree, :smirky: .

[Suzie]

Well, I disagree.
I just think that women should be able to explore all aspects of the military.

Isn't it a "Army of one"? Just thought of that.
And no one is selfless, as much as they'd like to be. People have families, people have lives. They'd give it for their country but they would regret not being able to be with their families and live the rest of their life. No one is comfortable with dieing, for any cause, but sometimes you gotta kill or be killed... and America is a thing worth dieing for. But there is hesitation of course... but for the better good make the other guy die for his country (sorry Churchill), not you.

So why can men die for their country, but not women? Are men the only ones supposed to die in war? I just don't understand this argument.

And when she starts her period during a battle, then what? No one is going to quit shooting at her so she can clean herself and do something to keep it from getting all over her clothes. And if it starts right at the begining of the battle it she going to wear her soiled clothes for a month ... or longer if the battle rages on? Men inside of tanks for 2 weeks come out smelling like something not from this earth, that's going to surely add a whole new level of odor. War is hell, why add these kind of things to deal with and make it tougher.

As my husband was preparing to go over they had a woman in a support battalion who went thru 2 weeks preparing for the deployment. Paid with your tax dollars and when she went thru her physical they found out she was pregnant, therefore undeployable. All the training she had received since she joined, all the money the government put into making her a soldier, when they needed to get what we have paid for and at a time when it's most important, she is useless.

Still think it's a good idea?

[Suzie]

Well, Isn't it a "Army of one"? Just thought of that.


Oh sheesh. :rolleyes:

An Army is a team, it eats,sleeps and fights as a team. This individuality stuff is a bunch of crap.The insidious bastards that wrote that stuff about individuality for the Saturday Evening Post, don't know anything more about real battle than they do about fornicating.And another thing; I don't want to get any reports saying we are holding our position.We'll let the enemy do that. We are not holding on to anything except the enemy. We're going to hold on to him all the time and we're gonna kick him in the ass, we're gonna kick him all the time and we're gonna go through him like crap through a goose. Now, I will be proud to lead you wonderful men into battle anywhere,anytime. That is all. General George Patton. http://www.discussionforums.us/forum/images/smilie/tank2.gif (a few more "colorful" words are as they appeared in the movie to keep the software from bleeping them)

[JimRaynor]

I just don't think if a women wants to serve the US in combat areas (by being in combat), she should be denied because the way her body works.
<joke>(joke)Don't periods make females more battle hungry?(/joke)</joke>
Note the joke tags.

[Suzie]

I just don't think if a women wants to serve the US in combat areas (by being in combat), she should be denied because the way her body works.
<JOKE>(joke)Don't periods make females more battle hungry?(/joke)</JOKE>
Note the joke tags.

What you say sounds good ... until you think about it. And I mean REALLY think about it.

Even if it costs someone their life? Let's get you thinking a little more, a little role play maybe?

Okay I am Sgt. Bob Sharpshooter, me and my men have made it to a low lying ridge right outside a building where we know, Bin Laden, AMZ (take your pick) is inside. I made it there to this place where I will have a perfect shot when he comes out the door. I only had a brief few moments to get to that spot while the guards who stand outside were distracted. If I stand up I will give away my position and all of the soldiers with me, with out a doubt they would use the missile launcher I see in front of them and kill us all. Hours pass, and that bottle of water I drank needs to be relieved of me I can't hold it not even a moment longer. I tell my soldiers to keep watch using sign language so I don't make a sound. I reach for my belt and use the tools I have to dig a small deep hole in the sand, turn slightly on my side, open a couple of buttons, drain the dew off the lilly, fill the hole with sand again. And return my attentions to my weapon

Now it's your turn, you are Sgt. Betty Sharpshooter. What are you going to do that isn't going to get all of us killed?