Did you know 6 women fought in direct combat in Iraq And Afghanistan?

2015-08-26T12:57:57-04:00

The 2016 deadline set by the Pentagon for top military leaders to review gender restrictions on combat roles is quickly approaching. Now, even the famed basic underwater demolition/SEAL training may be open to women as soon as next year.

http://taskandpurpose.com/6-women-who-fought-in-direct-combat-in-iraq-and-afghanistan/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=tp-today

6 Women Who Fought In Direct Combat In Iraq And Afghanistan

Here are 6 women who fought in direct combat in the Global War on Terror.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2015 1:01 PM

2015-08-26T13:01:16-04:00

It's amazing how we "forget" that women have been in combat positions for so long. It doesn't mean anything for the debate, but it is important to realize that it's not as new and unique as people are making it out to be.

Thanks for posting!

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Aug 26 at 2015 1:08 PM

2015-08-26T13:08:09-04:00

Absolutely! Funny how DoD keeps wanting to morph the reality of "women in combat" into something that hasn't happened yet. Yes no woman, as a member of an Infantry Bn, has engaged in direct combat with the enemy if you want to get the Scrabble triple score and bonus for using all your letters.

Leigh Ann Hester was an MP and awarded the Silver Star - "woman in a direct combat action engaging the enemy". Case closed, move on, nothing else to interpret here.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2015 1:09 PM

2015-08-26T13:09:32-04:00

After reading all six stories, anyone who gripes about women in the military need to re think their position. Ask yourself this question. Would I have been as brave and dedicated to my job as these women were? You'll never know until you're there. Women are warriors and nobody should take that away from them with snide, unprofessional remarks.

Response by SrA Daniel Hunter made Aug 26 at 2015 3:39 PM

2015-08-26T15:39:41-04:00

Yes, I did an essay on Sgt Hester for a class "Women and War" while pursuing my BA.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 1 at 2015 8:08 PM

2015-11-01T20:08:20-05:00

I hope more women tell their stories. I learned that some children did not know that women serve in the military.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 6 at 2016 12:35 PM

2016-08-06T12:35:12-04:00

So there's this whole group of people known as Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technicians... they're from all four services and there are dozens of female EOD Technicians, many of whom have seen front-line combat because our career field has been exceedingly active during the last 15 years of conflict. I can think of more than six female EOD Techs who have been in some pretty good gunfights right off the top of my head...