Women In Combat Units, Final Decision Due...Will We Make The Deadline?

2015-06-21T20:48:50-04:00

The Pentagon's highest-ranking officials are preparing to make final decisions about whether to open all combat jobs to female service members. It's been more than two years since then-Defense Secretary Leon Panetta stunned the military community by announcing plans to change the longstanding rule technically excluding women from serving in combat roles — more than 300,000 jobs in all, many of Army and Marine Corps infantry and armor units.
Now deadlines looming later this year will force the military's top brass to either clear a path to eliminate all gender restrictions, or serve up a good reason why not by requesting a formal waiver to the force wide policy. "We've really tried to give them the time that they need to finish their studies," said Juliet Beyler, the Pentagon's director of officer and enlisted personnel management, who is overseeing the process. Any waiver request will land on Defense Secretary Ash Carter's desk and must be "based on a rigorous analysis of the knowledge, skills and abilities required to do the job," Beyler said in an interview. Service chiefs will have to submit any waiver requests this fall for Carter's review before Jan. 1, when the new policy is due to take effect.

http://www.armytimes.com/story/military/pentagon/2015/06/21/women-in-combat-final-phase/28930521/

Women in combat units: Final decision due

The Pentagon's highest-ranking officials are preparing to make final decisions about whether to open all combat jobs to female service members. It's

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 21 at 2015 8:54 PM

2015-06-21T20:54:51-04:00

Interesting topic. I personally have no issues with anyone in any unit if you can carry your weight and protect and support the Soldier to your left and to your right.

Response by Maj Mike Sciales made Jun 21 at 2015 9:02 PM

2015-06-21T21:02:24-04:00

Go to work.

Response by SGT Joe Sabedra made Jun 21 at 2015 9:06 PM

2015-06-21T21:06:39-04:00

I still say it is a simple answer.

If they can qualify with one standard (the existing Men's standard) they should be allowed to proceed.

It is not about male or female it's about strength and endurance.

A life can not be chances on Dual standards.

My fiancé who was never a soldier but is quite the Amazon can hack just about anything I can do.
So I say let them qualify with one standard.

No more no less.

Response by CPL Danny Montoya made Jun 21 at 2015 9:28 PM

2015-06-21T21:28:15-04:00

How will that work in an armor unit during 30 RTEPS and having that time of the month? we used to have to wash ourselves and and our clothes out of an ammo can out in the open, Hygene is what i'm worried about!

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Jun 21 at 2015 10:00 PM

2015-06-21T22:00:57-04:00

I don't see the fuss, as long as the Soldier or Marine can meet the standards, allow them to serve!

Look, if a female wants into those career fields, "she" can become a "he" and then there are no barriers other than meeting the same standards as the rest of the guys. So, what's the big fuss alto do? Just meet the standards and go do work.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Jun 21 at 2015 11:36 PM

2015-06-21T23:36:38-04:00

I am interested to see the final answer. Which, is really only the final answer for now. I am not sure how the Army will comment on Infantry, Armor, FA, and SF, since they have done no pilots (that I am aware of) in those branches (OST, AIT, BOLC, SFAS). Ranger School does not count, as it is not an MOS/Branch producing school, and as available to many branches and MOS (all).

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jun 22 at 2015 4:36 AM

2015-06-22T04:36:37-04:00

As long as they can meet the standards that have been time tested and approved for men I don't see any issues.

One thing I am NOT for is lowering or "adjusting" the standards in any way.

Response by SFC Joseph Bosley made Jun 22 at 2015 2:21 PM

2015-06-22T14:21:43-04:00

If they can do the job give it to them. Just don't have dual standards. There should only be a single standard based solely upon the wartime requirements of the job. Anybody that can pass the standards gets the job.

Response by SSG Ranger Day made Jun 23 at 2015 12:18 AM

2015-06-23T00:18:16-04:00

Not trying to sexist or anything negative but what happens on the front lines when a woman goes through her so called PMS. What's their excuse? Sorry guys I can't go out because it's that time? In my opinion they always come up with there sex or womanly issues to get out of everything. It always happened when I would conduct details. Men I could depend on but women were always a different story. Sorry but it's about lives in the end. With all the gear and saving a fellow brother or sister, can they pull them to safety? Ranger school has proven their not ready. Even the best of women. Sorry

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made Jul 27 at 2015 9:27 AM

2015-07-27T09:27:58-04:00

New book explores women's challenges in combat zones ...

A new book from Oxford University Press takes a fresh look at women in combat and finds that while the number serving in war zones has risen exponentially in the past 20 years, the research on issues important to female troops — health, family, career advancement and relationships — is lacking.

“Women at War,” edited by retired Army Col. Elspeth Cameron Ritchie and Army National Guard Col. Anne Naclerio, doesn’t question whether women should be in combat, since they have been for years.

Rather, it aggregates the scant data on the effects of war and military service on women, from the physical impact and psychological consequences to influence on relationships, financial stability, and long-term health.

Featuring 19 chapters written by 40 contributors, including 10 men, the textbook-style work is heavy on the academic research, with articles ranging from illnesses and mortality rates of women in Iraq and Afghanistan and post-traumatic stress to medical concerns, reproductive health, homecomings, motherhood in wartime and more.

http://www.militarytimes.com/story/military/2015/07/24/new-book-explores-womens-challenges-combat-zones/30620555/

New book explores women's challenges in combat zones

A new book from Oxford University Press takes a fresh look at women in combat

Response by SFC Douglas Duckett made Jul 27 at 2015 9:35 AM

2015-07-27T09:35:13-04:00

The rigors of combat do not change. Combat is a inconstant variable. Physical ability is paramount when faced with ever-changing and fluid combat actions. One’s ability to rapidly move, shoot, and communicate while conducting operations is a must in order to enhance the mission; not hamper it.

Infantry units have been the backbone of Armies since the dawn of time. The Infantry's primary role is close combat, which may occur in any type of mission, in any theater, or environment. Characterized by extreme violence and physiological shock, close combat is callous and unforgiving. Its dimensions are measured in minutes and meters, and its consequences are final. Close combat stresses every aspect of the physical, mental, and spiritual features of the human dimension. To this end, Infantrymen are specially selected, trained, and led.
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties during combat operations. Infantry units have more physically demanding training than other branches of armies, and place a greater emphasis on discipline, fitness, physical strength and aggression.
The Infantry is unique because its core competency is founded on the individual Soldier—the Infantry rifleman. While other branches tend to focus on weapon systems and platforms to accomplish their mission, the Infantry alone relies almost exclusively on the human dimension of the individual rifleman to close with and destroy the enemy. This Soldier-centric approach fosters an environment that places the highest value on individual discipline, personal
initiative, and performance-oriented leadership. The Infantry ethos is encapsulated by its motto: Follow Me!
According to PEW Social and Demographic Trends; Since 1973, when the United States military ended conscription and established an all-volunteer force, the number of women serving in the Army on active duty has risen dramatically. The share of women among the enlisted ranks has increased seven-fold, from 2% to 14%.
The decades-long debate over changing roles of women in the military reached a turning point in 2011 when Congress directed the Pentagon to take a hard look at policies that restrict female service members. In February, the Defense Department relaxed some restrictions, moving women closer to combat, but a fuller review of combat jobs is under way.
The current popular social trend is that of total and unequivocal equality. Some individuals feel that by not assigning women to combat units, the female Solder’s career is hampered. They feel she cannot obtain the same recognition, assignments, or status that her male counterpart can achieve. Currently, female army officers make up 7% of the “general” (Flag Level) officer corps.
The process of integrating women in the Army has been slow and cumbersome and is being pushed by social matters over practical ones. Integrating women into the Infantry is not a task that should even be considered just so the few can “rise” to the top.
Marine Capt. Katie Petronio authored a published article titled “Get Over It! We Are Not All Created Equal.” And is quoted telling MSNBC that “Infantry is one of those fields we need to leave alone.”
The rigors of combat never change; they are a constant variable that individuals must be physically, mentally, and morally ready to handle. The current Army Physical Fitness standards for Soldiers 22 – 26 years of age are different for male and female.
Integration should be based on a Soldiers ability to perform the required physical task with the required equipment. Separate testing standards for men and women do not accurately reflect or simulate the actual requirements.
The rigors of combat never change; According to U.S. Army Soldier Systems Center-Natick, a fighting load should be held to less than 48 pounds, according to the field manual. The next level, approach March load, adds a light rucksack and should not exceed 72 pounds. In the worst-case scenario, emergency approach march loads require a larger rucksack, raising the total weight to 120-150 pounds.
After reviewing the data, the average rifleman's fighting load was 63 pounds, which meant he was carrying on average 36 percent of his body weight before strapping on a rucksack. The average approach march load was 96 pounds or 55 percent of average rifleman's body weight, and the emergency approach march load average was 127 pounds or 71 percent of average rifleman's body weight (Dean, 2004).
The rigors of combat never change; efficiency, some women will be able to meet the required standards, but most will not. While integration of women into combat is possible for those qualified, the small number versus the additional logistical, regulatory and disciplinary costs associated with integration do not make it a worthwhile move. The needs of the many should outweigh the needs of the few.

No one questions why there aren't any females in the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, etc. Olympic athletes are the elite of the elite. No one questions why the women compete against women and men against men. Those are great sports and achievements. But lives and missions aren't on the line. In combat, if you move slower one day, you don't get bumped off the medal stand, you could die or get someone else killed.
The readiness of our combat units and the security of our nation depend on making policies that are based off of sound science, not social engineering. The integration of women into infantry units must be based on rational sound data. Less attention should be made of the social engineering organizations. Put the country’s needs first, not the needs of a few individuals or groups. Women should not be allowed to be in infantry units.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jul 27 at 2015 4:41 PM

2015-07-27T16:41:05-04:00

Kurdish female fighters carry a grenade to avoid capture.