Women being allowed into Combat

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

As Rush Limbaugh once said: "Oh, I’m a huge supporter of women. ... I love the women’s movement — especially when walking behind it."

Wrong thread?

Edited January 24, 2013 by The Patriot

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

I was an airborne infantry officer in combat in southwest Asia with the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), does that count? I was an enlisted man prior to getting my commission as an officer, so I have seen the Army as both an enlisted soldier as well as an officer. So I think I qualify to give my own personal opinions about women in combat, and I believe they belong if they volunteer to be there as I stated before. And in the years that I was in the military I have seen women outperform men time and time again, mentally and physically. There are and were many so called "men" I would NOT want to be in combat with.

[SMOKE 1,426]

you're right smoke - i apologize.

ty..no worries. you wanna argue about something else?

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Syria's Assad seems to be running out of guys so here they are - Assad's lionesses...

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

There has already been a test case. The soviets did it. We should see if it worked for them and what problems occurred.

How did it work for the Soviets?

22 million people killed...more than half the total for the entire World War which involved some 70 countries. That's a problem, I would say. There is not a family today...today!...that did not have a close relative killed in that war. BOTH of Alla's grandfathers were killed in WW2

I am with Slim on this one. The Soviet and FSU women have a remarkable ability to do what is needed when it is needed with no desire to do so and no intent to continue doing it after it is necessary. They were also in a situation of having their own country over run and destroyed in front of their eyes OR being surrounded and beseiged for periods measured in YEARS. I do not think anyone is going to suggest rations of scraped off wallpaper paste reconstituted into soup or grass, but hey, "the Soviets did it". They were also (men and women) sent into battle with one rifle for three soldiers and told to pick up rifles from dead soldiers! It was a different time and situation and (hopefully) will never be repeated. That said, we have this chronic flaw of preparing to fight the LAST war we fought and never having what we need for the NEXT war. Looking back to what the Soviets did as an expediency is probably not a good basis for decisions now. It has been my pleasure to know (and still know) friends and relatives that experienced those years in the Soviet Union and none of them would use it as an example to be repeated.

In a technological battlefield I am sure there are a lot of positions as easily filled by women and there are a lot less soldiers in general exposed to battle, at least on our side, and that is a good thing.

[slim 1,533]

The photos posted are hardly combat photos.

I was an airborne infantry officer in combat in southwest Asia with the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), does that count? I was an enlisted man prior to getting my commission as an officer, so I have seen the Army as both an enlisted soldier as well as an officer. So I think I qualify to give my own personal opinions about women in combat, and I believe they belong if they volunteer to be there as I stated before. And in the years that I was in the military I have seen women outperform men time and time again, mentally and physically. There are and were many so called "men" I would NOT want to be in combat with.

Outstanding! You are definitely qualified to have an opinion.

I disagree with your opinion.

Now, for the kicker.... is your wife qualified to carry out combat missions? I see she's in the Air Guard. Would you be comfortable sending her off to war knowing she was "just as qualified as any man?"

Syria's Assad seems to be running out of guys so here they are

They're nice to look at. Still don't want them in combat.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

They're nice to look at. Still don't want them in combat.

Tell Assad. And quick cause these gals are fo realz, man.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

There has already been a test case. The soviets did it. We should see if it worked for them and what problems occurred.

However, talk to any of our wives and they will tell you..."Military Training" is part of their school curricullum beginning in 7th grade and all the way through college. It was during the SU and still is. They are ALL trained to shoot. Men in FSU contries must serve 2 years in the military, women can join but are not conscripted.

[JoBri 548]

My wife was limited in what jobs she could do in the Air National Guard because she is not a US citizen yet. She was 38 (39 this past November) when she enlisted in July. The cut off with the Air National Guard was 40. She would have gone active duty Army or Air Force if there was not an age restriction for that. When she first got here to the US back in 2009 she wanted to go active duty Army, but I talked her out of it because I just got her here, and selfishly couldnt stand the thought of her going away again so soon for so long, then possibly being deployed and gone even longer. We hadnt even had time together yet.

Then in June 2012 I had changed. I am the one who brought up the military again. She already had accomplished a lot in the Philippines at a young age, and I wanted her to have the freedom to accomplish great things here too in this country. I didnt want to be the one standing in her way, if the military was what she wanted to do. In 2009 I discouraged her with all the negative things I could think of about the military. In 2012 I told her all the positive AND negative things. In 2009 the Army had a higher age cut off. They dropped the age back that same year. The Air National Guard was her only option left. But she needed a secret clearance with the Air National Guard for just about any job other than Services. So we opted for her to go with that since it was her only option right now.

But if she wanted to be in combat arms I would support her. She has every right to do that if that would be what she wanted and what was allowed. I dont own her, I am married to her. And as far as going to war, well, I know first hand that the Tennessee Air National Guard was in Iraq. So her and I have had that talk before, especially since we have a 2 1/2 year old little boy. But do you think it is any easier for wives to see their husbands go to war? Not one of us would feel "comfortable" seeing our spouse go to war. But you can be sure that if she ever does go to war I will proudly be displaying this sign in my signature in the window of our front door, "Proud Husband of an Airman!".

The photos posted are hardly combat photos.

Outstanding! You are definitely qualified to have an opinion.

I disagree with your opinion.

Now, for the kicker.... is your wife qualified to carry out combat missions? I see she's in the Air Guard. Would you be comfortable sending her off to war knowing she was "just as qualified as any man?"

Edited January 24, 2013 by Brijo

[slim 1,533]

What if ONLY women were allowed in combat?

[james&olya 1,121]

I have worked alongside women in some very physically demanding jobs, and for the ones that have the heart, they can keep up with the men. It is even more demeaning, when some manly man wimps out, because he can't keep up with some girly girl. California rocks!

[JoBri 548]

I am not trying to argue that most women are better combat soldiers than men. I am aware that most men are more fit for combat rolls physically, and more often than not emotionally. I am not arguing that. I dont think anyone is trying to argue that. But there are a select few who would be capable for combat. And as I stated, it should always be voluntary, except for the times when there is no choice, and the stuff hits the fan and "the butcher, the baker, and the candlestick maker" are all stuck in the middle of the mess too, in which case ALL need to be able to perform their basic combat skills just as they do now. But for those select few women who do want a combat roll and who have proven their ability to perform in such a roll, then they should have that option. Not all male soldiers (or seamen, airmen, whatever...) are fit for combat rolls either. There are Military Occupational Specialties to choose from for one and all. Some who join the military want to be grunts, others want to be cooks, some want to be in PSYOPS or Civil Affairs, while others want to drive tanks. That's cool, to each his or her own! If you tell a man who wants to be a member of the Army band that he has to be an infantry soldier, he probably wont be too happy and maybe wont be very good at it. But he probably is GREAT playing a tuba! That's alright.... Well, there are some women who would do great in combat, and maybe dont want to play a tuba. So let her! that is all I am saying...

What if ONLY women were allowed in combat?

[james&olya 1,121]

Let's just all show our parts to see which are superior.

I suggest the men go first.

I remember that game! How do we know you will show yours if we show ours?

[JoBri 548]

Hey, want to see something that I think is cool? It is my dependent ID. I never was a dependent before... I always thought I might have a dependent, but not be a dependent. I think it is awesome, that my wife came here from the Philippines, and now I am her dependent. It is sort of like turning the tables. At any rate, it is great to be a part of the military again! hehe

Be forewarned, the pic in the ID is rather scary looking.

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

Hey, want to see something that I think is cool? It is my dependent ID. I never was a dependent before... I always thought I might have a dependent, but not be a dependent. I think it is awesome, that my wife came here from the Philippines, and now I am her dependent. It is sort of like turning the tables. At any rate, it is great to be a part of the military again! hehe

Be forewarned, the pic in the ID is rather scary looking.

Dude all silly arguments aside.. that has your picture, name and date of birth on it.... ? Seriously I would highly recommend not posting that. We already basically know where you live.. Way to much personal info.

I suggest you get a mod to delete.

Peace