Women in the Military (all opinions welcome)

[Island_Girl]

Last night Batman and I had a long discussion about our opinions in regard to women in the military. We were speaking specifically about women on the front line. He thinks that women make great soldiers (I really thought he was being sarcastic at first). He was very serious though. Initially, I disagreed but leave it to him to change my mind (to a certain extent). He thinks that women are better because they have the "motherly" instinct, so to speak. If she thinks she's defending her young (in war, that would be America) then she shoots with more conviction (acting on that motherly instinct). I guess he was basically saying that women are passionate about their convictions. As for men, he believed that they are more inclined to think before they shoot. As for me, you guys know my take. Although I do believe that women on the front line are an asset to our military, I think they should be at home holding down the fort. Remember, that is just MY opinion. As for my husband, I did a very poor job in trying to convey to you his stand. I'd really just like to hear what your thoughts are about women in the military.

[EricTheBald]

Women in the military, yes.

Women in the 3 combat arms (Infantry, Armor, Artillery), no.

[Lfpdlieu302]

i agree with eric, in the military yes, however on the actual front lines i'm kinda ify about. the only reason being that there are some shall we say "sanitary" issues that may arise. when a guy has to go, he can go anywhere, a woman isnt quite that simple. i dont know, law enforcement is different, in the way that you arent out in the field fightinng for weeks at a time, you can in war. -remember tailhook? i think its just a matter of time before that sets in here too. as far as the nuturing aspect of a woman, i dont agree. men have it just as much to a degree.

[EricTheBald]

Originally posted by Lfpdlieu302
i agree with eric, in the military yes, however on the actual front lines i'm kinda ify about.

For me it's not the "front lines" issue.

In fact, I have seen research that suggests that physiologically, women make better fighter pilots since they are able to withstand higher G forces and maintain mental stability under those forces better than men.


For me it's simple...

An infantry unit, the same goes for artillery and armor, though to a lesser extent, is a well organized group of testosterone fueled thugs. It's a boys club.

Introducing women and the social issues they have no choice but to bring with them, would tend to dull the edge of that sword.

This gets involved and turns on a lot of politically incorrect realities, but the fact is that it's no place for social engineering.

And it's NOT the same thing as allowing in blacks in the 50's.
Whatever social issues white & black soldiers had to overcome, they were still MEN.

[EricTheBald]

OK, lets say you and I are in the same squad and you decide you're tired of sleeping with me and want to sleep with one of thoe other guys instead.

Only problem is, you were just getting your rocks off and I'm in love.

So there you are, with your new bed-buddy, and here I am. Brokenhearted. With a machine gun.

How do you feel about that?

[Island_Girl]

I was going to post something in reference to the love-triangle, I thought it was far-fetched. Batman just assured me that it is a VERY reasonable, very valid argument. Based on his duty served in the Gulf War where he actually responded to a similar situation. Right again Eric.

Thanks for the insight.

[Esprit de Corps]

for what my two cents are worth - i agree with eric on his first post (also his second)- i would have to agree with your husband on the motherly instinct - but in the opposite direction - i see that motherly instinct as a weakness for a woman in lets say infantry - for me i think that would make her take that extra tenths of a second to squeeze the trigger. thats just my opinion i could be wrong.

[Sparkchaser]

Another thing to consider is getting your arse shot off... It's painful in the extreme to see the friend who you've shared many good times, out there with most of his head missing, but those are the breaks of war.
On the other hand a man, seeing a woman he may some feelings for, lying in the mud with enemy rifles still firing just yards away, may do something outrageously stupid, like try to rescue her, and end up getting his own arse shot off.
Then there is the POW issue... The toughest man in the world under torture may refuse to reveal anything more than name, rank, and service number, but will break down and say anything to protect a woman being tortured in front of him.
Women may make every bit as good a soldier as men, but the mixture doesn't strike me as a wise move.

My 2 cents

[onetwonm]

I know how much women contribute to the armed forces, but I agree with Eric's first statement.

[Stump]

I would love to say that women belong everywhere just so we have equal opportunities, blah, blah, blah.... however my own personal feeling is that they shouldn't be there. The whole dynamic changes when you mix genders.
I had a discussion with my cousin about gays in the military (he was some sort of Navy Commander or something, now he works with some guy (I think Colin Powell ?) at the Pentagon). He said that everyone can have their warm fuzzy opinion, but unless you are actually out there dealing with it firsthand, you don't understand what it is like.
And Summer, women who date different people they work with are not callous and cruel. Can a woman help it if a guy is in love with them and they don't return the feelings? They shouldn't be punished for that.

[zander_zye]

I knew several gay men and women in the Navy - some where even officers and this was before the "don't ask, don't tell" crap.

I had no problem with it because I have no problem or questions about my sexuality. Sex aboard a ship is banned anyway and I was not aware of any homosexual relationships while on board or on shore duty.

If you talk to some real old timers - (they would have to be retired by now) - the people who were in the armed services before blacks were allowed you would find the same rhetoric against blacks and asians that is being used today against homosexuals and women. I think that as long as the standards are the same, then it should be no problem. Some men will always be insecure in thier manhood and sexuality and frankly that should be their problem and not the problem of others. Should someone object, then in this all volunteer service, you have the option to quit when your enlistment is up.

As far as the other question in issue on this thread, I think women can do just about every MOS a man can do. Of course their might be some exceptions, but they tend to be the exception. I can personally think of no Navy position with the possible exception of a specialized Seal postion that requires advanced the advanced physical strength that a women could not acheive due to her physiological differences. (and lets face it 99.999% of men don't have what it takes to get into Seal or other specialized forces anyway).

Just one man's opinion - what is yours?.....

[Stump]

"I didn't state women are callous and cruel to date another guy."

I never said that you stated that. I am fully aware of what you were saying. I was saying that being in the same platoon is working together and that a lot of people date more than one person they work with. It does not make them callous and cruel.

[Stump]

You changed the scenerio - now all of the sudden this ficticious woman is in special forces.
Military is still a job, and when men and women work in such close quarters (even though these are "brothers") there is bound to be sexual/romantic tension between two people at some point.
I don't really care about this whole military thing - I just don't like hearing that a woman is callous and cruel for that particular situation.

[tcsd1236]

Women can be in the military; they should not be in direct combat, however.

[Jynkxxie]

Post Reply: "I am sorry...Are we still living in the 1920's?

The only acceptable answer I have ever heard on this subject from a man's mouth was: "Alot of men cannot bear seeing a woman being the recipient (sp) of torture or capture."

Fine I accept that...I don't think it is a valid exclusionary reason...It shows compasion, but what about the woman, the mothers and the grandmothers, sisters, aunts, bla bla bla, that loose their loved ones...I can't sympathize and am intolerant of most other answers.

Just my 2.