Male leaders will make or break the Army's combat integration of women

SPC Timothy Dunkin - Just wondering what makes you surprised as to the fact that I haven't received a downvote for my comment. I appreciate your support of my idea and I think it is a fair argument. I think we all sometimes forget that we are not reinventing the wheel here.

Ben, you need to include RP members too, because change begins with those that have previously served and have experience the changes of which you write about. I for one know that well trained women are very capable fighters, but this requires that new standards be written based on current times; we do not march out to war anymore. We have been fighting an enemy that is light and moves quickly, therefore we need to employ the same strategies, but add well armed and trained Women fighters that can move among their women and daughters, plant seeds of rebellion against their idiotic religious driven men.

I like the way you opened up the post, Top. I don't think they'll lower the standard though--they know that would play right into the people that can't wait for one of those females to fail just to have that "aha!" moment. The standard should and will stay the standard. That is especially the case with the Special Missions Units--SOCOM commander said that if they can meet the standard, they will be welcome. Knowing GEN Votel, he means what he says...

I wish I shared your optimism. The ideologues pushing for this change couldn't care less about an "aha!" moment. We've already done the studies and pilot programs. The most recent Sec. Mabus dismissed out of hand, in my opinion because he was more concerned about politics than combat lethality. It's not a matter of "if" but "when" if you ask me.

I will add that standards need to be written that balances women abilities and what they bring to the fight against religious idiots that fear armed women. Very few women can meet the male standards yet no man can do what a women can in today's middle eastern lands. We need to adapt to today's conflicts and so must our standards; yes there should be male standards and female standards, both based on what they bring to the fight.

You, sir are making entirely too much sense.

We have been in the middle east since 911, fighting religious idiots that fear armed women, and we have failed to make use of that, so from my experience our failure to see that has affected our missions readiness. The Kurds are no fools.

SPC Timothy Dunkin - If it was so easy. Somewhere on the web, there are articles that claims the Earth is Flat, that some ethnicities are sub human, and Dogs can talk. Your example of Kicking Ass female units would be better exampled by the Israeli Army.
I just got back from Northern Iraq. Did you actually read beyond the USA Today? Those are all women units. No Men. They are propaganda tool because the Kurds are getting no help from any country except US.
This discussion is about the integration of the sexes to prove female equality. That is not what an Army's purpose is; It is to defend our country and way of life. I know woman are equal in many ways, but we are biologically different. Also, what about the social issues like being captured, being killed, and killing for women. How about the cost issues?
The integration of woman into any position in the military should be based on the PURPOSE of the Army, not the political purpose of civilians.