US military to ease curbs on women in combat roles

[Comet]

I am pleased to see this happen and am completely in favor of this as long as they do not lower the standards.

If they lower the standards, it is a monumentally bad idea and puts lives in danger. If they keep them the same, there should be no problem.

What are your thoughts? Are you in favor of women in combat? If not, why?

The US military has announced plans to ease restrictions on women serving in combat roles.

While women will still be barred from infantry, armour and special operations positions, the most dangerous posts, they will be closer to the front lines.

But an advocacy group for women in the military said the policy did not go far enough. Women make up about 14% of the US armed forces.

The move reflects new realities ushered in by the Iraqi and Afghan wars.

Correspondents say that in conditions where battle lines have become increasingly blurred, it has become less and less possible to keep women out of combat conditions.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-16975751

 

[DodgeFB]

I am pleased to see this happen and am completely in favor of this as long as they do not lower the standards.

If they lower the standards, it is a monumentally bad idea and puts lives in danger. If they keep them the same, there should be no problem.

What are your thoughts? Are you in favor of women in combat? If not, why?



http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-16975751

They might as well do it. Women have been dying in combat for years. The only two problems I see are body strength, and a man's natural "must protect the women" attitude.

That said, I did hear " Ollie North"on this subject a few years ago. A woman called in complaining that her daughter could not get promoted due to not being in combat.

North asked her if she really wanted her daughter crawling half a mile in the dark so she could cut the throats of 4 enemy soldiers. She said she was not sure. She had only thought of how modern weapons did not require max. strength.

As the dad of two daughters I would be against it. But one of my daughters is dead and the other is too old and in bad health to fight. So I leave it to wiser heads to figure out.:unsure:

 

[Comet]

The only two problems I see are body strength, and a man's natural "must protect the women" attitude.

I agree with the bolded part. The former will be sifted out through training and trying out for the position.

In regards to the natural instinct of men to protect women, I do not believe it will be quite as bad as we imagine it. I hope the military addresses this issue with the male soldiers and it is something they are prepared for and not are forced to deal with it on the spot.

 

[DodgeFB]

I agree with the bolded part. The former will be sifted out through training and trying out for the position.

In regards to the natural instinct of men to protect women, I do not believe it will be quite as bad as we imagine it. I hope the military addresses this issue with the male soldiers and it is something they are prepared for and not are forced to deal with it on the spot.

They will need to address that while they are young. I think it is in the blood of us old codger's.

 

[myp]

Like you said, if this is done in a way where the quality and risks don't worsen, then it is a welcome change.