Should women be allowed to try out for Special Forces?

2015-08-20T23:05:13-04:00

With the recent completion by two female Army Soldiers of the Ranger Course, should women be allowed to try our the SF Selection and Assessment Course?

Response by COL Charles Williams made Aug 20 at 2015 11:06 PM

2015-08-20T23:06:18-04:00

Yes! We should (A) allow women the opportunity to compete for any positions, (B) so long as they can meet THE Standards!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2015 11:18 PM

2015-08-20T23:18:21-04:00

I'm with COL Charles Williams, THEY MUST MEET THE STANDARDS.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2015 11:34 PM

2015-08-20T23:34:51-04:00

Yes and no. Of all the SOF units, Army Special Forces is the one unit that could benefit the most from having women who have attended and completed portions of the Special Forces Qualification Course. They however have no place on a standard Special Forces Operational Detachment-Alpha. In my honest opinion, the best place for them in on all female detachments who are organized to provide specific types of supporting roles where they slice off two, three, and four member elements for very specific mission sets. The British have a very good concept for women in their SOF units that actually makes sense and is mission enhancing. With the mission sets for the 75th Ranger Regiment, MARSOC, and SEALs, I don't believe this to be the case as they are organizations that have a more limited range of mission types.

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Aug 21 at 2015 12:28 AM

2015-08-21T00:28:16-04:00

I see no reason for the Armed Forces not to exploit every resource available. Women in SF would expand perspective and capabilities. So long as no standard for qualification is compromised I cheer on those who can take the mantle of the military's most challenging missions.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 21 at 2015 1:53 AM

2015-08-21T01:53:33-04:00

They should be able to try as long as none of the standards change.

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made Aug 21 at 2015 9:05 AM

2015-08-21T09:05:16-04:00

By all means SFC Private RallyPoint Member ... there is simply no valid reason for not allowing them to do so.

Response by CW4 Guy Butler made Aug 21 at 2015 9:12 AM

2015-08-21T09:12:17-04:00

They're already there. Not tabbed, but working alongside Green Berets and Rangers in Cultural Support Teams.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2015/05/19/the-armys-all-women-special-ops-teams-show-us-how-well-win-tomorrows-wars/

Response by SGT Kristin Wiley made Aug 21 at 2015 10:15 AM

2015-08-21T10:15:43-04:00

SF School is not just a 'tab' school it's also an MOS school. In this case, we need to open up the doors for women to serve in the MOS if they complete the school. The women who completed Ranger School are not being allowed to serve in a Ranger Battalion, so until we open the doors further to allow women in combat positions, we don't need to experiment with sending them to SF school. Once we have successfully integrated them into the Infantry and Ranger battalions, then we can work towards SF integration.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 21 at 2015 11:06 AM

2015-08-21T11:06:28-04:00

Absolutely!!

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Aug 21 at 2015 11:49 AM

2015-08-21T11:49:27-04:00

Standards are standards. If they hold up. One thing I detest is the PC crap associated with this. The other thing I know, it's one thing to complete a course and another thing to be part of an active unit, time will tell.

Response by 1SG Jason Fitzpatrick made Aug 21 at 2015 12:07 PM

2015-08-21T12:07:21-04:00

Until they money that would be expended on training and qualifying them would be put to use in the correct career field, absolutely not. With that being said, open the doors at Benning's school of the Infantry. Let all Soldiers who wish to be Infantry go through Basic Infantry training. Then once in an Infantry unit, excel and be selected for advanced schooling above their peers.

Response by SFC Jon Vandeyacht made Aug 21 at 2015 1:31 PM

2015-08-21T13:31:24-04:00

I am all for any service member trying out for any special team. Go for it.....BUT, with this one caveat....There MUST be only ONE standard. Either your in or not. NO special exceptions. ALL special exceptions create a hazard for the team and puts the WHOLE team at risk. How is it fair to the team if they all die while enacting an E&E because one of the team members had a different standard and couldn't run as far or as fast or carry their equipment? This is true for any person, The standards are there for a reason, they must not be compromised because someone else thinks its unfair or disadvantageous. I worked with some women that can put most men to shame. Give them a chance. Let them show you that they can do it.

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 22 at 2015 11:33 AM

2015-08-22T11:33:35-04:00

Yep! If they can do the job job just as well, maybe better than other folks without lowing the standards, then more power to them!!! I just hope senior leadership can use some common sense and utilize these newly minted Rangers in the capacity that they want and desire! I would love to see a story of them destroying an ISIS outpost. Oh the irony!