“Women can’t handle the stresses of combat. It’s the opposite of their nature.” -Atefeth Momeni, design
“It puts women in harms way, but if they die, they for their country.”
-Ea’Monte Davis, TV/Film production
“I think it’s good there’s equality, but I think males have more physical strength. So they shouldn’t be relied on to carry men out of combat.”
-Erik Anderson, business administration
“I think it’s a good decision. One gender isn’t superior over another. This way women won’t feel separated.”
-Leo Bermudez, Mechanical engineering
“To keep my beliefs in gender equality, everybody should have the opportunity to be in the front lines [of war].” -Hope Algeo, technical theater
“If they have an all women’s combat [unit], you might try that first.”
-Joshua Allen, screenwriting
“They should be allowed because we are all…in times of equality, so it will be a step forward for the [U.S.]”
-Edmund Chua, Film
“Women are just as capable of doing the same thing. It’s the only field that doesn’t allow women and men to do the same thing [and] the only one that’s fallen behind as far as equal opportunity for differences in gender. They need to catch up, so I have no problem with it.”
-Claudia Fotiou Kinesiology
“I know some women in the military. They’re tougher than I am. I think it shouldn’t be an issue [for women to be in combat].”
-George Garcia, Facilities
“If women want to protect our freedom, who are we as men to restrict them?” -Kevin Liu, anthropology
“For the brave women who have the balls to [serve and protect our country], I commend them.”
-Asia Morris, Communication
“We shouldn’t let them. [There are] too many single mothers already, and we don’t really need more single fathers.”
-Cal Compton, graphic arts
“I heard [that] women won’t do their physical part, but if women are trained properly that shouldn’t be an issue.”
-Qiao Liu, English
“If women want to pursue a career in the military for themselves and for love of [our] country, they should be allowed.”
-Jasmine Harris, cosmetology
“I used to serve in the military. Women should be afforded the same rights as men. A lot of the women in my staff I would depend on better than my men.”
-Paul Wilkinson, computer science mathematics instructor
One Reply to “VOICES: Should women be allowed to take on combat roles in the military?”
First of all, women in combat is a far deeper issue than gender equality or being physically able. When introducing a female in to a real combat situation, you must first introduce them in to a real combat training program. Whether anyone admits it or not, training can be strenuous and physically abusive. If instructors have to worry about going to jail or losing rank for abusing a female, they have been rendered ineffective for females and males. This will lead to a “Softer” military. It sounds harsh, but it is the truth. Please do not try and pretend like abuse during training is wrong, because that is called naivety. Also, if women do make it through training, there becomes a situation in combat where leaders have to worry about the abuse issue, sexual harassment, and (this is where people will hate me) the tendency to challenge orders or disregard them entirely. If a man does this to me, he gets put down. If it is a female, I have to make the decision between other lives or risking losing my rank and possible prison time. Don’t believe me? Look at Jessica Lynch. Proclaimed as an American hero but, in truth, she disobeyed a direct order and lead her convoy to SLAUGHTER. She then gets out and makes money writing a book about it. If a male did this, he’d still be in the brig.
Another thing, if you even consider putting females in combat, consider holding them to the same standard as males. Currently, females do not do the same things for physical fitness tests as males. “Well it’s not fair, they aren’t built the same way as males” <—say this and make my point for me.
Lastly, people saying they were in the military and had a "Staff" were never in combat. Your opinion is as valid as if I had asked the guy working the register at Burger King if he wanted to take females to combat.
I believe this question should be asked to people who KNOW something about combat, instead of people who FEEL something about gender equality.
First of all, women in combat is a far deeper issue than gender equality or being physically able. When introducing a female in to a real combat situation, you must first introduce them in to a real combat training program. Whether anyone admits it or not, training can be strenuous and physically abusive. If instructors have to worry about going to jail or losing rank for abusing a female, they have been rendered ineffective for females and males. This will lead to a “Softer” military. It sounds harsh, but it is the truth. Please do not try and pretend like abuse during training is wrong, because that is called naivety. Also, if women do make it through training, there becomes a situation in combat where leaders have to worry about the abuse issue, sexual harassment, and (this is where people will hate me) the tendency to challenge orders or disregard them entirely. If a man does this to me, he gets put down. If it is a female, I have to make the decision between other lives or risking losing my rank and possible prison time. Don’t believe me? Look at Jessica Lynch. Proclaimed as an American hero but, in truth, she disobeyed a direct order and lead her convoy to SLAUGHTER. She then gets out and makes money writing a book about it. If a male did this, he’d still be in the brig.
Another thing, if you even consider putting females in combat, consider holding them to the same standard as males. Currently, females do not do the same things for physical fitness tests as males. “Well it’s not fair, they aren’t built the same way as males” <—say this and make my point for me.
Lastly, people saying they were in the military and had a "Staff" were never in combat. Your opinion is as valid as if I had asked the guy working the register at Burger King if he wanted to take females to combat.
I believe this question should be asked to people who KNOW something about combat, instead of people who FEEL something about gender equality.