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

US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta has lifted a ban on women serving in ground combat, saying female troops had proven their courage in a decade of war.
The decision reflected the changed realities of the battlefield, Panetta said, as women soldiers already have been fighting in conflicts that lacked clear frontlines.
"Female service members have faced the reality of combat, proven their willingness to fight and, yes, to die to defend their fellow Americans," the Pentagon chief told a news conference on Thursday.
"Not everyone is going to be able to be a combat soldier. But everyone is entitled to a chance," he said before signing a memo ending the ban.
President Barack Obama, whose inauguration address on Monday promoted the idea of opening opportunities to all Americans, hailed the move as "historic" and "another step toward fulfilling our nation's founding ideals of fairness and equality".
"Today every American can be proud that our military will grow even stronger with our mothers, wives, sisters and daughters playing a greater role in protecting this country we love," he said.
Unanimously endorsed
Panetta unveiled the decision after a months-long review by chiefs of all the armed services who unanimously endorsed a gradual change that would be phased in over the next three years.
The decision will apply mainly to the army and the marine corps, as the air force and navy already have lifted most prohibitions on women in combat, allowing them to fly fighter jets and fire weapons on ships. In 2010, the navy opted to allow women to serve on submarines.
The decision overturns a 1994 policy that prevented women from serving in small frontline combat units.
US commanders began taking a second look at the ban in 2010 to reflect the changing conditions on the battlefield, as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have put women in harm's way.
General Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the move was part of a long-term trend in the military and that he had witnessed changes as an army division commander in Iraq.
Gender-neutral criteria for combat jobs would be drafted without watering down tough standards for physical strength or other skills, he said.
About two percent of US deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan have been women. About 280,000 women have been deployed to the war zones over the past decade, about 12 percent of the US total.
More than 200,000 women serve as active duty members of the military, including more than 37,000 officers.

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/americas/2013/01/20131250437315721.html


What do you think about this? Do you agree or disagree that women should be on the front lines?

I guess I can't see why they shouldn't be, but I know precisely dick about anything military related, so maybe there's a reason I'm unaware of.

As long as they also introduce women signing up for the draft.

Equal rights, equal responsibilities... yo.

I think it's fine and fair. Honestly, I didn't know there was a ban against it.

uhh... yeah.

A body is a body, as long as they can meet the physical/mental requirements.

Quoting Dr. Paradigm Shift:" I guess I can't see why they shouldn't be, but I know precisely dick about anything military related, so maybe there's a reason I'm unaware of. "

The most common example given is most 130lb women can't carry a fully packed male team mate out of the danger zone if that's what's needed to be done.

I don't care for it if that's what the want then Go ahead but I know why male soldiers are not liking this and it's simple men protect women so if something happen more people would die trying to protect them so I inderstand both views.

I was told, years ago, that it was for sanitary/health concerns. Women on their periods with no access to regular showers or proper cleaning.

Now, if that is true or not, I've got no clue.

Quoting Socialist:" The most common example given is most 130lb women can't carry a fully packed male team mate out of the danger zone if that's what's needed to be done. "

Yes, another con some guy was talking about is the fact there would be sexual tension and they would be a distraction. Idk... :/

I didn't know there was a ban on it either. I don't see why women Shouldn't be allowed to.

Quoting JessieLeeAnne:" Yes, another con some guy was talking about is the fact there would be sexual tension and they would be a distraction. Idk... :/"

If I guy can't control his dick he shouldn't be in the military, controlling a gun.

 

As long as they require females to sign up for the draft AND as long as females are required to pass the same exact physical fitness tests and pass the same training programs as the men.

It's not fair for the men OR women on the front lines if their partner in combat was placed there due to a "lighter" or "easier" PT test and training program. That's risking lives and completely irresponsible, IMO.












And on a personal hygiene note, spending a month or two on a mission in the desert without showers? Talk about a hygiene issue during that time of the month.  

Quoting Socialist:" The most common example given is most 130lb women can't carry a fully packed male team mate out of the danger zone if that's what's needed to be done. "

Ah.

Ok. Well then, as long as they're able to pass the same tests or whatever as men, then, fine.

And as far as the draft? I don't approve of the draft period, for anyone. Except maybe government officials and their families. They go first.

Quoting Dr. Paradigm Shift:" Ah. Ok. Well then, as long as they're able to pass the same tests or whatever as men, then, fine. ... [snip!] ... draft? I don't approve of the draft period, for anyone. Except maybe government officials and their families. They go first. "

I disagree with the draft, I think it needs to be an all or nothing thing. Part of me leans towards every one should dedicate 12-18 months of military service, but I haven't quite finished thinking that one through, so I'm not too sure of my opinion yet.

Quoting Blair Waldorf (SuperKink):" As long as they require females to sign up for the draft AND as long as females are required to pass ... [snip!] ... a month or two on a mission in the desert without showers? Talk about a hygiene issue during that time of the month.  "

  This.

When I tried to sign up for the GA National Guard, the PT entrance requirements were so biased. Like, women didn't have to do ANYTHING compared to what men had to do to qualify for basic. I don't know how it is once you're actually in, because I was ineligible to sign up. =/