Women in Combat

Women in combat...

Alright... on the way to work this morning I was listening to the radio and they were discussing women in combat.  The two major sides of this issue are:

1) Women are equal, but physically different.  Thus, they should have jobs where their physical differences are not an issue

and

2) Women should be able to do anything a man does

Of course, opinions are as diverse as the people that hold them.  I agree with both of these points..  There is one major distinction though: some believe that women should be allowed to do anything a man does in the military, but not be held to the same physical standard.

Let's analyze that thought.  As it stands in the Army, a woman's perfect PFT (Physical Fitness Test) score is considered the minimum required scored for a man to pass.  So at the very start of women's inclusion in the military, they are held to a lower physical standard than men.

This would not be, and historically hasn't been, an issue when women are not in combat roles.  However, when a woman takes the place of a man in a combat role, very serious concerns should be raised.

This woman, through no fault of her own, is physically weaker than her male counterparts-- I'm speaking generally as there are always exceptions.

If I'm in a firefight, and receive a wound to the leg, the members of my platoon/squad/etc. should be able to pull me to cover.  If I'm a 180lb man, with a 100lb pack, do I expect a 120lb woman (wearing her own pack) to be able to help me as well as a man?  Of course not.  And upon reflection of the PFT standards, the Army doesn't believe they will do it as well either.

Next consider hygiene.  Women are very physically different than men in one specific area.  There are times when our soldiers are going without showers for weeks and months at a time.  Other than some horrible smells, there is little else to be worried about from a man's perspective.  A woman on the other hand can have serious health consequences when not allowed proper hygiene habits.

Again, none of this is a woman's fault.  It is simply how she is made.  The idea that they have to be allowed to do everything a man does, but that they should be held to the same standards is ludicrous.

One thing I think those who agree with me should be careful of is using any type of psychological excuse to say women are not fit for combat roles.  Combat is very high-stress and life-or-death for everyone involved.  Men and women can both cower in fear.  I don't believe a woman's psyche makes her more susceptible to fear.    

In closing, I'd just like to say if women want the same job, fine.  But women should then be held to the exact same standards as the men they will be fighting along side with.  There should not be male standards and female standards.  There should simply be "Job Standards."  And as long as you fill the standards, you can have the job. 

Introduction

Alright... so, like many others, I'm arrogant enough to think that anything I have to say is important enough to write down in a blog for a lucky few to happen upon and read.  This blog will have no real point other than to call out things that I think are stupid.  Politics, religion, technology, etc... if it's stupid, I want a place to say so.

Thus, the creation of this blog.  I appreciate logical and civilized discussion on matters, but, of course, I have topics that I can get quite heated about.  So come on in, grab a seat, and listen to the truth be told.