Iraq and Afghanistan End the Debate Over Women in Combat

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The debate should be over with, because of the fact that women have the same capabilities and responsibilities as any man in the armed forces have. They shouldn’t judge a person just because of their gender. They should be happy to except anyone that is willing to put their life on the line for a great cause, to bring balance.

Kyle Curry of WI 1:43PM October 19, 2010

To R.L. Schaefer I would just like to say that I am a women and I played football for my high school football team and I was able to keep up and block and push around 200 pounders.In fact I even lettered!Let me just put it to you this way...adrenaline is a beautiful thing. In a combat situation, it doesn't matter if your fellow comrade is a male or female. They are going to fight for their life and the guys right beside them. And if a male is injured on the battle field and all he has is his female comrade than she will do anything she can to save her buddy. My theory is that when your in a situation like that you have adrenaline pumping through you and it makes your strength boost 5 times more than where you actually are. That girl will find a damn way to remove him from the battle field and protect him. Ever hear stories ppl lifting things to save someone??

E.M. Rojas of MO 6:36PM December 14, 2009

To It's not that:

We've been at "who cares!" since the late 60's.

It started with Bonnie Erbe and her fellow traveler baby boomer liberals spitting on returning Vietnam veterans.

Duke of AZ 7:54AM August 20, 2009

Obviously you've never been in combat. I'd rather have a gal whose a crack shot on patrol with me then some meathead who can bench press 350. My aim is not to get shot in the first place. And the fireman analogy, really weak as well. A bet there are a ton of women who can cut through a door faster than you.

Mike Lyons of CA 2:23AM August 19, 2009

I think reality, instead of politically correct, progressive whimsy, should probably be the rule - if not in civilian life - certainly on the battle field.

Let's say you're wounded in the leg. Who do you want to drag you off the battlefield under fire - Popeye or Olive Oil?

Or, you're in a burning building and the hall way is full of debris - Who do you want swingin' that ax to get you out?

I could go on, but I think you get the point - There's a reason women don't play football with men.

Certainly there is a place for female soldiers, cops or firefighters - It just shouldn't be a position that requires strength or solid body mass. If we ignore objective reality, and blindly embrace subjective political correctness... well, people die - and have.

R.L.Schaefer of CA 9:25PM August 18, 2009

That is a popular myth. There is no "official prohibition of women from combat" They are not allowed to be assigned to units whose primary mission is combat i.e. infantry, tanks, artillery, etc. That's not to say they won't be assigned to maintenance, engineer, supply or logistical units that may engage the enemy. All women who might serve in such a unit receive basic combat training at their entry level training, and it should continue when they reach their units. In fact, I would argue that in today's military, not only are women not banned from combat, but it is expected that they might have to perform in combat situations and are expected to perform that duty in a satisfactory manner.

Guy who gets angry when people write things that are not true of SC 6:47PM August 18, 2009

Yes indeed. My sister is a Marine that has served in Iraq and Afghanistan. She has been in multiple firefights and received the bronze star.

It is past time to end the "official prohibition on women in combat".

Craig of NY 4:30PM August 18, 2009

women are unfit for combat. It's not that we don't have women who are more than capable and willing to be in combat situations. It's not that a bit of soldier/soldier consensual sex here and there is worse than members of male-only units pursuing prostitutes wherever available.

What's wrong is that a country that becomes casual about the idea of women fighting its wars is a country in cultural decline. We're already there. And we went pretty fast from national concern over Jessica Lynch to "who cares?".

Muser of NM 2:36PM August 18, 2009

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Bonnie Erbe

Bonnie Erbe

Bonnie Erbe is a contributing editor at U.S. News & World Report and hosts PBS's weekly news analysis program, To the Contrary with Bonnie Erbe. She also writes a weekly syndicated newspaper column for Scripps Howard News Service.

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