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A draft report by the Military Leadership Diversity Commission recommends that the military take action to lift the longstanding restriction on women serving in combat roles in the military.

The draft report is being discussed by members of the 24-member commission on Thursday and Friday. The change can be implemented without congressional approval.

The Department of Defense, the draft report recommends, should remove the “combat exclusion policies” for women to “create a level playing field for all qualified servicemembers”

“One frequently-cited argument in favor of the current policy is that having women serving in direct combat will hamper mission effectiveness by hurting unit morale and cohesion,” states the draft report, “comparable arguments were made with respect to racial integration, but were ultimately never borne out.”

In concurrence with permitting women to serve in combat roles, the commission is likely to recommend changes to allow for women to be promoted to top ranks within the military.


now i don't have a problem with women in combat units, IF they can fulfill the same physical requirements as men. currently, there are different standards in that regard for men and women. IMO combat isn't the place for political correctness. if some women can't do the same things as men, then i don't feel they should be put on the frontlines. a unit is only as strong as its weakest member.

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I like combat exercises with women.

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Originally Posted by Dødherre Mørktre:
>snip<

now i don't have a problem with women in combat units, IF they can fulfill the same physical requirements as men. currently, there are different standards in that regard for men and women. IMO combat isn't the place for political correctness. if some women can't do the same things as men, then i don't feel they should be put on the frontlines. a unit is only as strong as its weakest member.

I agree, I know many women who are much better shots and able to physically handle themselves better than some men I know in the military. Many of these women are "countrygirls" and I don't mean that in a derogatory manner. I do know of women who were on the front lines, not as combat soldier but as medics and in other support positions going back to the Revolutionary war and even further.

On a personal note, I can understand why women were not encouraged on the front line of combat in long ago eras. 1 male and several females can still repopulate a country with a large enough gene pool to not have an issue with birth defects (theoretically), while 1 female and several males that cannot be said. I know that is not an issue in todays world. Also another is there are some of us who were raised to protect women and if one was shot near me I would most likely be distracted trying to get her out of further harms way faster than I would guy.

So one can say that with my mind I can agree that some women can be allowed in front line combat just as some men should not be allowed. But with my heart I have a problem with women in harms way.

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You've all probably seen me say it more than once:

All US citizens should serve one tour of military duty.... it would be a much nicer and decent place.

Front lines, I'd have to agree with Cowboy.

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The direction of modern warfare has almost eliminated any sense of "Front Lines".  There is less distinction between the front, the back and the side and the direction just points to more blurring.  Women have been in combat for years now.  Formal recognition is lagging, which would lead to more training possibilities and career advancement opportunities for those women that make their decision to pursue.

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Man or woman, as long as you can do the joib that is requjired, with no limitations, then you should have every right to be there.

But you have to be able to do the job. Bottom line.