What do YOU think about women in combat?

[iluvmybaby]

Yahoo news is now talking about this


WASHINGTON - WASHINGTON - The House killed a Republican effort Wednesday to limit the role of military women in combat zones.

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In a retreat, the GOP-run chamber instead voted to let the Pentagon continue deciding what positions women can serve in, as long as defense officials tell Congress even earlier in advance.


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/defense_bill

I would like to know what YOU think? I hope that this can be discussed in a civilised manner, lately there has been a lot of attacking ops that have posted or ops that have responded, I am curious what ya'll are thinking. Is this against our civil rights and keeping us back in the dark ages...or?

[YNKYH8R]

If a woman wants to be on the front line it is fine with me. If you can shoot you should be able to go.

[freebielover]

I don't think its keeping us back in the dark ages, I am all for equal rights but I think there are some things that men just do better, there are things that women do better. Not in all cases as there are exceptions but most men tend to be physically stronger, have more endurance and are better at spatial reasoning than women. Honestly if you were in a combat zone do you really want some 95 pound girl at your back? Or do you want to hand a gun to a female who is PMSing?? Now trust me I'm not some girly girl, I was raised on boy stuff, but I do agree there are some things men are just superior at.

[VALENA-)45]

I feel that the women that are in the war effort, are there because they want to contribute, they want to fight for their country. Not just sit on the sidelines, watching the men do all the fighting. The armed forces let them (women), let them fight. JMHO

[CatrinaF25]

I feel that the women that are in the war effort, are there because they want to contribute, they want to fight for their country. Not just sit on the sidelines, watching the men do all the fighting. The armed forces let them (women), let them fight. JMHO
ITA

[LuvBigRip]

Women are already in combat in Iraq as well as their roles as police and swat officers here in the states. Women who wish to fill the roles in the combat theatre should be allowed to, with no hindrances. The idea that a woman, who can meet the physical requirements, is any less emotionally fit for the duties of war is archaic, chauvanistic and just plain wrong. For decades women have been on the front lines as nurses and doctors. For at least the last decade plus, they have been in airplanes, helicopters and in supply convoy's, facing the same dangers as their male counterparts. They have seen the same brutalities, dealt with the same horrors. Considering the fact that you rarely, if ever hear of a woman coming back from war and having a armed meltdown, I would say women may even handle the pressures better due to their willingness to talk amongst friends, and seek help when needed.

[ahippiechic]

Most of us have been fighting for equal right for years. I think that includes everything, even the draft and combat.

[schsa]

If she can do everything that her male counterpart can do then let her go into combat. If she can handle a gun and shoot as well as her male counterpart, let her go. If her decision making qualities are as good as her counterpart, let her go.

I don't know who is the superior being when it comes to combat but if a woman is trained the same way a man is trained and she is able to complete the same tasks then she should be able to do the same job.

[JewRican]

Women are already in combat in Iraq as well as their roles as police and swat officers here in the states. Women who wish to fill the roles in the combat theatre should be allowed to, with no hindrances. The idea that a woman, who can meet the physical requirements, is any less emotionally fit for the duties of war is archaic, chauvanistic and just plain wrong. For decades women have been on the front lines as nurses and doctors. For at least the last decade plus, they have been in airplanes, helicopters and in supply convoy's, facing the same dangers as their male counterparts. They have seen the same brutalities, dealt with the same horrors. Considering the fact that you rarely, if ever hear of a woman coming back from war and having a armed meltdown, I would say women may even handle the pressures better due to their willingness to talk amongst friends, and seek help when needed.


Amen! When my dh came back and until this day he holds it all in. Has nasty nightmares but won't talk about it.

[Kelsey1224]

I absolutely agree!!

While I hate the idea of any of our young people in combat...don't tell me that my son is better equipped or that my daughter is more valuable or whatever!

If either one of them wanted to serve, I would support them equally!

[llbriteyes]

As long as a woman is qualified to do the job, she should have the opportunity to do it.

Linda

[hblueeyes]

I am an army vet and female. I served in the late 70s-early80s during the time the hostages were in Iran. I was able, ready and willing to go. Many woman are more than capable of serving in this capacity, I see nothing wrong with it. Many countries have mandatory military service which includes woman. Besides woman have fought in all of Americas wars from the revolutionary war to today.


Me

[stresseater]

If a woman wants to be on the front line it is fine with me. If you can shoot you should be able to go.
Are you seated YNKYH8R.....ITA. If they can do the job then let them go. :D

[iluvmybaby]

If she can do everything that her male counterpart can do then let her go into combat. If she can handle a gun and shoot as well as her male counterpart, let her go. If her decision making qualities are as good as her counterpart, let her go.

I don't know who is the superior being when it comes to combat but if a woman is trained the same way a man is trained and she is able to complete the same tasks then she should be able to do the same job..

schsa is a VERY wise women, she is a vetern BBS, and she expressed my thoughts and feelings 100%

[ezmoney163]

Weather a man ooor woman, if they are willing to protect us, all I will ever say is Thank You!! I appreciate you doing it for me and my family.

[3lilpigs]

Weather a man ooor woman, if they are willing to protect us, all I will ever say is Thank You!! I appreciate you doing it for me and my family.


I agree!
I sure dont have the guts to do it, but hats off, and a big BIG thank you to those who do!
If a woman is capable of keeping up with everyone else, then she should be allowed. The only thing i dont agree with, is sending a single mom into combat. JMO. (or a single dad for that matter)

[Azriel_LittleHawk]

i think women should be allowed in combat. i mean realy folks, who do you think kept the farm and kids safe back in teh day when teh men were out hunting and whatnot, hmm?
that said, each woman has to know that the 1st thing used to break a woman in bad sitch's like that is rape, multiple gang rape.and various sexual tortures.
if they are told the risks, and accept the challenge by the GODS let them fight for their country!!
now, the hardest part? would be keeping the male soldiers/freinds of the female from doing stupid crap/taking uneccesary risks to get the female soldier back!
the problem isn't the women here folks, it's the men who've got that 50's mentality or worse, think women are more property. you know the kind "never shoulda allowed women the vote" yeah those kinda neandrethals.
women would actualy be more useful is certain sitchs. women arn't suspected of acting in a soldierly manner where as men would be suspect because they ARE male..especialy in a war zone.
i know some women who can kick serious butt!! but are held bck from acheiving various higher ranks due to their gender. it's retarded.
thank the Gods the guy currently polishingteh BIg seat in the white house will be gone soon enough..i can only hope we have some freedoms left by the time that guy is finished. i mean we as women...as well as just the general poulation.
ah well...take care!
Ciao!
Az

[mrssnoop1]

My dh was in the Navy for 30 years. I feel if the woman is going to be in the military than she should be in it all the way, otherwise all she is doing is taking up shore duty spots from the men.

[YankeeMary]

I don't think its keeping us back in the dark ages, I am all for equal rights but I think there are some things that men just do better, there are things that women do better. Not in all cases as there are exceptions but most men tend to be physically stronger, have more endurance and are better at spatial reasoning than women. Honestly if you were in a combat zone do you really want some 95 pound girl at your back? Or do you want to hand a gun to a female who is PMSing?? Now trust me I'm not some girly girl, I was raised on boy stuff, but I do agree there are some things men are just superior at.
I agree with you. :)

[onfire4god57]

Well I am usually not the first one to disagree on something, but considering noone else has stepped forward to disagree than let me be the first one.

No, I do not believe that woman she be in the middle of a combat zone. I guess I am still from the old school of learning that a woman's place is in the home taking care of the children and her husband.

I have seen so many news stories about woman having the tearful goodbyes with their little ones and saying how much they are going to miss them and stuff like that. Well if you knew you were going to have children then why did you sign up for the military. Isn't it bad enough that so many children loose their fathers to the wars that now they risk loosing their mothers also.

I am no where close to being into women's lib. I still believe that a man is stronger than a woman. And I firmly believe that a man respects a woman more when she isn't trying to compete with him.

I still enjoy when a man holds a door open for me, just because I am a lady. I enjoy when a man offers to assist me with something just because I am a lady. Women wonder why men don't respect them anymore, but as women we've taken that away from them by trying to prove that we are as good as they are or as strong as they are.

Flame away all you want, it doesn't matter. But this is my opinion on the subject.

[YankeeMary]

Well I am usually not the first one to disagree on something, but considering noone else has stepped forward to disagree than let me be the first one.

No, I do not believe that woman she be in the middle of a combat zone. I guess I am still from the old school of learning that a woman's place is in the home taking care of the children and her husband.

I have seen so many news stories about woman having the tearful goodbyes with their little ones and saying how much they are going to miss them and stuff like that. Well if you knew you were going to have children then why did you sign up for the military. Isn't it bad enough that so many children loose their fathers to the wars that now they risk loosing their mothers also.

I am no where close to being into women's lib. I still believe that a man is stronger than a woman. And I firmly believe that a man respects a woman more when she isn't trying to compete with him.

I still enjoy when a man holds a door open for me, just because I am a lady. I enjoy when a man offers to assist me with something just because I am a lady. Women wonder why men don't respect them anymore, but as women we've taken that away from them by trying to prove that we are as good as they are or as strong as they are.

Flame away all you want, it doesn't matter. But this is my opinion on the subject.
She did...
Originally Posted by freebielover
I don't think its keeping us back in the dark ages, I am all for equal rights but I think there are some things that men just do better, there are things that women do better. Not in all cases as there are exceptions but most men tend to be physically stronger, have more endurance and are better at spatial reasoning than women. Honestly if you were in a combat zone do you really want some 95 pound girl at your back? Or do you want to hand a gun to a female who is PMSing?? Now trust me I'm not some girly girl, I was raised on boy stuff, but I do agree there are some things men are just superior at.

[schsa]

Israel has been training women for combat positions for years. Why should we think that women can't hold those positions?

[Willow]

Well I am usually not the first one to disagree on something, but considering noone else has stepped forward to disagree than let me be the first one.

No, I do not believe that woman she be in the middle of a combat zone. I guess I am still from the old school of learning that a woman's place is in the home taking care of the children and her husband.

I have seen so many news stories about woman having the tearful goodbyes with their little ones and saying how much they are going to miss them and stuff like that. Well if you knew you were going to have children then why did you sign up for the military. Isn't it bad enough that so many children loose their fathers to the wars that now they risk loosing their mothers also.

I am no where close to being into women's lib. I still believe that a man is stronger than a woman. And I firmly believe that a man respects a woman more when she isn't trying to compete with him.

I still enjoy when a man holds a door open for me, just because I am a lady. I enjoy when a man offers to assist me with something just because I am a lady. Women wonder why men don't respect them anymore, but as women we've taken that away from them by trying to prove that we are as good as they are or as strong as they are.

Flame away all you want, it doesn't matter. But this is my opinion on the subject.


I agree with everything you said. :eek: :D I'm not into the women's lib thing at all either. I don't think a lot of women knew what they were getting themselves into when they started all that crap. :D

[LuvBigRip]

Personally, I don't believe that alot of us so called women's libbers would have had to take the stance of equal pay for equal work if the men in their lives would have stepped up to the plate and accepted responsibility for the women and children in their lives. If they would have stayed and not strayed, if they would pay their child support, most of the single working mom's demanding equal pay for equal work, would not be where they are today. I would have been more than happy to take care of my ex husband, and our children, had he been just as willing to take care of me and our kids. Once I was forced out of our own business and into the corporate world, should I not be paid the same? Should I not be as respected as the men I worked with? Is my monetary value less in the working world, but worth more in combat?

Why shouldn't a woman compete with a man? She is just as intellegent, just as capable, just as qualified. What does this say about the measure of a man a woman chooses that he cannot respect a strong woman. I for one would not want a man who thinks so little of himself, that he cannot concede to a woman. I am raising my boys to know that girls and boys are equals, and that sometimes a man loses to a woman, and that is ok. Graciousness in both victory and defeat are more inticing attributes to me.

And what, pray tell is the difference between the tears shed for a Mom leaving for war, vs a dad leaving for war? Are the tears shed for one parent any more valid than the others?

I too enjoy when a man opens a door for me. I also have no qualms about opening a door for a man. I think it is just common courtesy. I also am pleased if a man offers me help in changing a tire, but that doesn't mean I will sit around waiting for one to rescue me. I am not trying to proove that I am as good as a man is, I AM as good as a man is. No better, no worse.

[Willow]

I guess I'm just old fashioned and believe in the traditional gender roles. It also has to do with how I grew up. Unfortunately times change and not everything can be like it was back in the 50's.

[Njean31]

i don't believe they should be allowed to be in combat situations. yes, we are smart as men but physically.........we just don't compare. alot of women THINK they are physically equal but i've seen many a man fight in the jail i worked at and let me tell you, most of them would put a serious hurting on any woman i've ever met. i've seen the women fighting too in jail and mostly it's just catfighting (hairpulling, scratching and so forth) although i've seen a few good punches thrown. even if women were taught how to fight..........unless they take steriods or other hormones, they just physically are not equal (the majority that is).

now, i'm only talking about fighting on the front lines here.......the rest of the military.......i think they can and should work.

[bribella]

If they want to let them It doesn't bother me one bit

[hblueeyes]

Most combat is NOT hand to hand. They have weapons and as in most situations you need patience, stamina and critical thinking skills. Woman can do all these as well as men. They physical aspect comes into play during manuvers while in the zone and you need to climb using upper body strength which ment then have an advantage. Men will go out on a limb for another comrade be in male or female. There are woman I would like to have fighting next to me as well as some men that I would not.

Me :p

[YNKYH8R]

Well, if the retention issues keep up the way they are going (especially with low recruitment problems) women will have to go on the front line and fire a weapon...otherwise who else will?

[onfire4god57]

Well YankeeMary somehow I guess I missed Freebielover's reply. I guess it was because I had been thinking for 2 days whether I was going to respond to this topic or not.

And Patchouli I agree with you, I was also raised with the old traditional gender roles. My mother never worked, she stayed home and took care of us kids and the house, my father was the sole bread winner.

And I was once a single mom for awhile also, but when I was married to my first husband, I did not work, my job was to take care of the kids and the house and to see that my husbands needs were met.

I realize that times have greatly changed, but I still don't think that our women should be in the middle of combat no matter what other countries are doing. And I also don't agree with women mandatorly being drafted.

And LuvBigRip, you asked;
And what, pray tell is the difference between the tears shed for a Mom leaving for war, vs a dad leaving for war? Are the tears shed for one parent any more valid than the others?

To me I think that there is a big difference. For as long as we can remember it's always been a normal thing for the men, the daddy's to be going off to war and some not returning, but it just doesn't seem normal for the mommy's to be leaving their children.

[LuvBigRip]

Just because something has always been, does not make it any more right. Should black men and women be made to ride the back of the bus, because it always was? Should women not be allowed to vote, because it always was? Should women in other countries be forced into marriage, forced into genital mutilation, be sacrificed for family honor because it always was? I think that we as a people evolve into a better race of people through knowledge.

Just because something has become "normal" in our way of thinking doesn't make it right. I think that there are men out there that make better homemakers. I think that some women make better warriors. I think that each should be given the choice to do what is right for them. If a woman wants to be in the military, she should be afforded all the opportunities provided, and accept the dangers that entails.

As for being drafted, I don't think that a man or woman should be forced to serve.

Edited to add: With my ex-husband, I also stayed home and took care of him, the children and house , as well as running our business. I would have loved to have continued on like that, however, as good as he had it, he thought he could do better. I learned then and there, I would never put myself or my kids in a position where I was unable to financially take care of us again.

[YNKYH8R]

Well YankeeMary somehow I guess I missed Freebielover's reply. I guess it was because I had been thinking for 2 days whether I was going to respond to this topic or not.

And Patchouli I agree with you, I was also raised with the old traditional gender roles. My mother never worked, she stayed home and took care of us kids and the house, my father was the sole bread winner.

And I was once a single mom for awhile also, but when I was married to my first husband, I did not work, my job was to take care of the kids and the house and to see that my husbands needs were met.

I realize that times have greatly changed, but I still don't think that our women should be in the middle of combat no matter what other countries are doing. And I also don't agree with women mandatorly being drafted.

And LuvBigRip, you asked;
And what, pray tell is the difference between the tears shed for a Mom leaving for war, vs a dad leaving for war? Are the tears shed for one parent any more valid than the others?

To me I think that there is a big difference. For as long as we can remember it's always been a normal thing for the men, the daddy's to be going off to war and some not returning, but it just doesn't seem normal for the mommy's to be leaving their children.
Although I don;t completely agree I do applaude your staying home to take care of the children. My wife is a SAHWM; without her income we're sunk.