Supporters say this new rule change will open hundreds of thousands of additional front line jobs to women, and that more women will be able to seek higher ranks within the military, which are usually only open to those with combat experience. Public opinion polls show 3 out of 4 Americans favor placing women in combat.
Opponents say combat conditions are no place for women. Retired, three star General William “Jerry” Boykin criticized placing women into Special Forces where “living conditions are primal without privacy for personal hygiene or nor mal functions”.
In a few weeks, we will discuss the Supreme Court, and how historically, they have allowed gender discrimination against women in some cases related to combat duty. So my question to you this week is, “Do you think women should be allowed in combat zones? Why or why not? What changes will they military need to make to accommodate women?” Answers are due no later than Sunday, February 10th, 2013.
I think that women shouldn't be allowed in combat zones, because they are seen psychologically weaker than men, so the men feel they will need to protect them. This could be a positive or negative thing. Men could get hurt protecting the women. We've seen it all before, they always some how cause trouble.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it is completely bad, sure women should have rights, I just think that it will be a hazard and possibly add more trama.
They should also be JUST as physically capable to enter the field. "bullets don't slow down just because you are the opposite sex." They shouldn't be required to do any less work than the man they fight beside.
Women are moody and aggressive. This, again could be positive or negative effect to your battle plans.
Mariah
I don't see why a women wouldn't be able to make the choice like any other person to be apart of the military. Were all human and it's not the 18th century anymore, so I would say that women are and have always been qualified to be a part of the military.
ReplyDeleteAs far as what should be done to accommodation the women I feel that they should have separate quarters that house women only. It might also be a good Idea to have female military bases and male bases and at some point having the two meet up when discussing combat strategies or other situations that would require a briefing to take place.
I can only go off of what I perceive and what I've heard but, the general notion is that women aren't respected in the military. I've also heard that women really aren't recognized in the military hopefully that will begin to change because everyone deserves a chance to do what they want and to be respected while doing it.
I fully agree with Mariah. I do not want to upset women rights out there but women have no business in a combat zone. This is not an issue of equal rights and how if they want to be there they should. Over in Iraq many non-combat units (jobs that are not infantry, tankers, etc...) have been in combat due to attacks on convoys. Many of these women leaders made good choices and had other leadership come in to help them out. Many women earned what are called Combat Action Badges. But having women be allowed in these areas of combative jobs like infantry and tankers are on a completely different level. They shear demand for physical work and mental work are unreal. I know the strongest of men overseas that almost broke down from the physical demand our captain needed. More of an issue is the quick thinking and quick reactions to mobilize 50 people to an area for a mission. I just do not see women making the same kinds of decisions. Why would a woman want to put herself in a position like that in the first place. If it was just to prove a point, then that's not a good reason to be in that position anyway.
ReplyDeleteAs far as I am concerned women should be glad they are not allowed in combative jobs of the military.
Here is an article from October where the first women of the marines were allowed to try out for the mens infantry course... They ended up dropping the course half way into it.
http://www.military.com/daily-news/2012/10/17/first-women-fail-marine-infantry-officer-course.html
Women make up 15 percent of America's armed forces, but military policy prohibits them from serving in combat zones.
ReplyDeleteYES
Where and how women serve in the military should be based on ability and training, not gender. Policies that prohibit the military from using the skills of all servicemembers should be changed. In today's all-volunteer force, women have accepted the challenges, responsibilities, and dangers of military service, just as the men have. With today's battlefield and the war on terror, there are no front lines, and every unit regardless of size or mission has the potential to engage with the enemy.
Why handicap our military with outdated and unrealistic policies restricting the use of capable people? It is time such policies were abolished.
I believe women should be able to enlist for combat positions in the military. We could potentially have a much larger armed force protecting our country.
ReplyDeleteWomen are more nurturing and caring than men are however, and I think that some sort of desensitizing training would benefit them greatly. People always bring up the question of "what if a man and a woman fall in love and do something reckless to protect the other?" Well, what if a gay couple went through the same thing? Women tend to have a much better eye for details compared to men as well, I think they would make excellent marksmen.
I see no reason why a woman shouldn't be able to put herself on the front lines if she wants to.
Being a hint of a feminist, I have always been for women's rights. I believe if a woman wants to have a male dominant job, let her. These women aren't signing up for the army, navy, military, etc to just sit back and watch things happen. These women are wanting to risk their lives for our country, that is why they enlisted in the first place.
ReplyDeleteHowever I see the point of the opponents as well, combat is no place for a woman; but these women are wanting this job. I feel that the military should start them with front line trainings to make sure they are equipped and ready for the pressure. I also believe they should make things a lot more private for women, considering all the sexual assaults women in the military are receiving from their own colleagues.
I see no problem with women being on the front lines in combat, I actually would feel very satisfied with that thought. Women normally tend to get any job done with class.
- Sarah Brown
I think people should be able to achieve whatever they want to achieve. I think women should be able to have the full experience of the army if they so choose. I do agree with Donnie that the women that cannot complete the "courses and training" should not be able to have those positions. A higher role in the military would mean that you would be responsible for more people, but i'm sure anyone that completes the training required is as good as any man.
ReplyDelete-Sean Brown
I’ll admit that there are pros and cons to this discussion but all in all I believe that women have the right to do whatever they deem right and if fighting in a war for what they believe in is right to them then let them. It’s a case in which if one falls into the position in order to protect something they love then there is no stopping them. For example if someone tried to hurt anyone I cared about then they’d have to answer to me, or if my father had died in battle then I’ve no doubt that I would join the military or some governing force in order to honor his memory and defend my family. It’s all a choice.
ReplyDeleteI will say that if a woman wants to join the army and fight, then she should be able to. Women want to defend their country just as much as men. It should be a choice. Although women are not anatomically as strong as men, they can still be pretty strong! However, the government will have to make plans in case of pregnancies, rape, and sexual harassment. They would have to separate men and women to avoid those things, but it would not prevent it from happening. Those types of things already happen and won't go away. I support the choice and any woman that wants to as long as they have an idea of what they're getting into.
ReplyDeleteWomen do no belong in that position, what happen to protecting women and children, let the men do that job. Theres aother ways to protect our country but not putting them front line duties.
ReplyDeleteI am sort of apathetic about this topic. I suppose I just assumed that if a woman joined the military then she did what she signed up for. I agree with most of the opinions already given above, especially with the psychological idea. It makes sense to me. I also believe that if she wants to be able to fight, let her.
ReplyDeleteWomen should definitely be aware of what they are signing up for before joining the military. I've been doing research on the "Invisible War" that goes on among the men and women of the military. When I say invisible war, I'm talking about rape. The dark disgusting underbelly of our American Troops. There have been women raped and not taken seriously among their peers. The victim's life is usually threatened to scare them from ever talking. Wow... our brave American Troops. Poster boys and girls risking their lives for our freedom. They would never do such an awful thing like that. Unfortunately It happens all of the time.
ReplyDeleteThe Department of Defense estimates that during 2010, as many as 19,000 women were raped in the military. Overall, more than twenty percent of women veterans report being raped by their coworkers either as recruits or as active duty members. And about one in 100 men screen positive for “military sexual trauma.”
Another thing is that military commanders don't want women on the front line because they fear that soldiers will cease to follow orders in the heat of battle. They said that women would be too much of a distraction.
I'm all for equal rights and opportunities, but women should stay away from the front lines or even the military in general until these problems are fixed. There is nothing stopping women from joining the military now, but they should know before signing up that they will more than likely be raped or a distraction, or both.
One more thing, my brother was almost dishonorably discharged because of some 19-year old girl in the military got married, then decided that she liked my brother more. My brother, being an average guy who enjoys the comfort of women realized he liked her too. Both being married to different people, were caught. They were both threatened to be discharged, but luckily they were compliant and honest and only received a metaphorical punch in the stomach.
Most people don't think about the damage they cause around them when love gets involved. The damage they do to others and even themselves.
When you're in the military, you have a job to do. A duty to uphold. If you can't honor that, then stay the hell away from the forces.
Personally, I say if they choose to go then they choose to go. Mind you a lot of women probably won't. I personally disagree on all means of war. It's human nature to fight, but as we have grown as a species, our minds have grown. There's other ways issues can be resolved now other than our primal instincts to just kill to protect our "territory." But back to the question at hand, i don't think there should be any discrimination on women in the military. If they want a higher rank and need combat experience then by all means, get the combat experience. In the past the military should have either nixed the rule of needing that experience for a higher rank, but it is easily understandable why they would want someone with that experience. But if women can't be on the front lines then they cant get the ranking. some people view it as an honor to fight and kill for their nation, so if they want to, let them.
ReplyDeleteMost people would say "give the right them the right." But having friends (including my best friend) being in militia, I know a lot about the the military to say that once you join, you give up a lot of your rights in exchange to serve and protect. Personally, I'm all for letting women fight in combat. But it's this factor that makes me question if the military sees it appropriate or not to let women on the battlefield. Public opinion may say yes. But in the end, the military has the say in all of it.
ReplyDelete-Micah J. Kistler
I feel those who say women are mentally weaker than men are still not fully aware that women can do anything a man can do. My mother served as a firefighter who had to undergo all the same physical and mental training as her male workforce and was able to do so with no problem. My best friend Hannah was stationed on the edge of the demilitarized zone of N.Korea. Had to go through all the mental and physical challenges and is now working her way quite impressively up the ranks and is one of the few women who's been able to do so. I would like to see concrete evidence that women are less superior to males both mental and physical. Until then I think its a fascist mindset
ReplyDeleteI don't see any reason why women shouldn't be up front if that's what they want. It doesn't seem traditional gender roles don't apply much anymore. The world wants equality so I say give it to everyone. I know it says "All men were created equal" but women deserve that same level of respect. Who's to say who should be able to serve their country? Everyone should be able to in my eyes
ReplyDeleteKiernan Stillabower
I'm neutral about this whole topic. I don't really like the fact that people want to go out and fight for anything. I don't want more people to die and I definitely don't want more people coming home like that either. I know right now geographically we are not in any sort of turmoil but when it does come up I tend to try and ignore it. I don't like the thought of people at war. So if a woman wants just as many rights as a man to go in combat and learn to fight, let her, just don't tell me about the war.
ReplyDeleteI think women are to emotional to be in the millitary , because mentally and emotionally we go through alot. But if thats what she wants to do , then she should be allowed to do what she feels. But i wouldnt join ! So im neutral about it .
ReplyDeleteEvery woman has the right to make that sort of decision on her own and with her family. She may not be supported by close family or friends, but that is usually what happens when people are afraid to lead. She is setting an example to younger generations. I have a friend currently in the Army who specializes in weaponry. She is pregnant, due in early April and deploys for Quwait in December...she is making the ULTIMATE sacrifice for her family and her country. RESPECT.
ReplyDeleteMy sister served proudley in the USMC for 5 years. Before that, both my sisters and I served 2 years in the Navy ROTC program to better our rank for real enlistmient to the military. its not a matter of should women serve, i belive thats ridiculous for them not to, no the matter is what kind of woman goe's into the armed forces. To me, coming from that experience, you have to judge a book by its cover for how these women act in there time in the military.
ReplyDelete