re: Women going on the front line... D&D

How many women could actually pass the test, in reality? I can't think of too many.

Quoting Back to Noob Status:" How many women could actually pass the test, in reality? I can't think of too many. "

Of which test? The basic Air Force test, or those for the combat roles?

There aren't a lot of women who can perform at the minimum standards for men. The Air Force has fitness charts that show how many points for push ups, sit ups, waist measurement and the 1.5 mile run and some people, even men, only go for the minimum.

Quoting MamaAkemi:" Of which test? The basic Air Force test, or those for the combat roles? There aren't a lot of women ... [snip!] ... many points for push ups, sit ups, waist measurement and the 1.5 mile run and some people, even men, only go for the minimum."

The ones for the combat roles.

Quoting Back to Noob Status:" The ones for the combat roles."

I don't know of many women that could pass those tests, but I don't think the standards should change. I'm a PT leader and there are plenty of women in my unit that don't even come close to making 100% on their PT test.

"Forget about Lara Croft, and think about real-life infantry, Marines, and Special Operations Forces that engage the enemy in places like Fallujah in Iraq. These men carry electronic equipment, weapons, ammunition, heavy body armor, and water weighing 50 to 100 pounds. Such burdens would weigh more heavily on smaller female soldiers who have, on average, 45 to 50 percent less upper-body strength and 25 to 30 percent less aerobic capacity, which is essential for endurance.

In the Army's own surveys, 90 percent of enlisted women have said they oppose involuntary combat assignments on the same basis as men. They know that training for female soldiers is modified to compensate for physical differences, but there can be no modifications on the battlefield.

In direct combat, women would not have an equal opportunity to survive, or to help fellow soldiers survive.

Even if physical capabilities were objectively measured and equal, coed combat assignments would affect discipline and unit cohesion. Women lose more duty time due to medical issues, including pregnancy, and their absence would be particularly disruptive in combat units where concentration and mutual trust are essential for survival.

At times, we have no choice about sending young men to war, but we do have a choice when it comes to sending young women. Changing that would be a mistake. "

—Elaine Donnelly
President, Center for Military Readiness

^This is what I agree with.

<blockquote><b>Quoting EnnaBennaBanana:</b>" "Forget about Lara Croft, and think about real-life infantry, Marines, and Special Operations Forces ... [snip!] ... Changing that would be a mistake. " —Elaine Donnelly President, Center for Military Readiness ^This is what I agree with."</blockquote>




I agree with her BUT I think there are a few jobs classified as "combat" that do t require kicking down doors and readiness to carry the heavy gear.
For the jobs requiring more strength, there may only be a minuscule number of women that can meet the standards.