Santorum Has 'Concerns' About Women In Combat Because Of 'Emotions That Are Involved'

Seriously. Can women carry the same load as men. I hate to rain of everyones party.

Though Rick is retarded.

Women are not physically as strong as men. Is that fair? The infantry units carry heavy packs and run long distances. Does anyone claim women can do it as good as a man?

The question, how are men treated? Are they required to keep up physically?

I have heard stories about officers being not upto standard. I need a veteran to give us a clue to this. Are the standards maintained?

The key problems I see is that will there be unit cohesion with women in the ranks?

So far the USA sits on a technological edge against the people we make war against. When this advantage is eroded will it lead to more causalities because of women?

The big problem at the bottom, the soldiers don't really matter.

There are back areas and frontline areas. Just look at the data. Anyone who can't seem to work that out. Needs to go to afghanistan and talk to vets about iraq.

You want a veterans opinion? He is one.

With the dynamics of the war in Afghanistan and Iraq women in support roles have had just as much contact with the enemy as the Infantry units. The "frontline areas" and the "rear areas" you mention doesn't exist on the battlefield today. There is no restriction on who can be in support jobs for the military. Because of the dynamics of the battlefield women are exposed to the threat more often than men are based on the sole fact that they are the one delivering the ammuntion, food, water and other supplies to the infantry units. They are part of Route Clearance teams, EOD teams and Female Engagement Teams that are off the bases more.

As far as meeting the physical requirements, there are both male and females who meet these standards. There are also male and females who don't meet the standard. That can be seen in any military or civilian job in the world. I'm sure that when women are allowed to serve as Infantry those who cannot meet the standard will be weeded out and either removed from military service or put into another job.

You issue about unit cohesion has already been addressed and proven that cohesion isn't an issue. Each Infantry Battaion in a Brigade Combat Team has a Support Company assigned. Because there are no restrictions about females being assigned to them they are there. When the Infantry rolls out, the Support Company will too.

Another concept that is currently being instituted are Female Engagement Teams. These are squads that are 100% female that move out with the Infantry on patrols. Their presense allows for easier communication between the the military and the local females. They do the exact same job as the Infantry.

Even in Airborne units like the 82d Airborne, 173rd Airborne Brigade females will be on those jumps. They carry their assigned weapon and equipment needed on the Drop Zone to secure the area and begin operations. Once a paratrooper hits the ground we are ALL Infantry until the area is secure enough to begin bringing in the air craft that will land and unload the larger equipment.

So as far as women in combat roles. They've been doing them for years. They just don't hold the 11 series MOS's.

Jeremy - I learned a lot from reading your post. That was the clearest explanation I have ever seen. You must write a lot of concise reports. :~)

I would also wonder if a better question to ask is not if women are as strong as the men in a job, but can women be strong enough to do the things they need to do for the job? And I don't think that is gender based.

It seems like lean muscle is lean muscle regardless of the gender. A woman needs to carry more weight than a man of the same height in order to have the same amount of lean muscle,because they need more body fat,but it's not that much more.

And I wonder if social cohesiveness is different than the cohesiveness a group develops from training together for a common goal and sharing hardships. I just don't think going out and drinking with a person necessarily equates with combat effectiveness from knowing you can depend upon that person next to you to know their job and do it well. And that's not gender based either.

I don't have any military knowledge,but it's my 2 cents,and not worth much with no background to draw from ;~))

And I wonder if social cohesiveness is different than the cohesiveness a group develops from training together for a common goal and sharing hardships.

I would say yes, there is a difference. The cohesiveness developed by the group training / fighting together, I think, is on a more personal level. In some cases the group has already been to war together and shared the hardship either fighting side by side or sharing the grief of loosing a member of that group.

I just don't think going out and drinking with a person necessarily equates with combat effectiveness from knowing you can depend upon that person next to you to know their job and do it well. And that's not gender based either.

I agree. In fact going out on a social level is kind of frowned upon. Only because of the risk of the leadership being seen as a friend instead as a leader. The key is knowing where to draw the line between a social relationship vs. a professional relationship. It's a line that is too easy to cross. I've had members of my Platoon over to the house for the Super Bowl or Post Deployent barbeque. I do put down ground rules that will be followed without exception and collect car keys from those who are old enough to drink. When I do these I invite not only the Soldiers in the Platoon but the Officers and other leadership as well. I won't meet them at a bar or club.

I do not envy those in a leadership position -not only because of the pressures of the job and the tightrope you must walk,but because it has got to be lonely.

Of course in the military I think the leaders have the added feature of trying to herd a bunch of "hormones" who I am sure are trying to find ways to get around the system (if judging from my own 19 year old son is any indication)

:~))

American Spirit

Oh good grief. One thing this female veteran has learned in the last 10 years that it is NOT the female gender that does not use logic in matters of defense!

The most poignant and hilarious post award on the vine today goes to, *drumroll* American Spirit!

**Bows as she accepts her reward** ; )

I read somewhere that native American tribes had to get the approval of the females before declaring war. That makes a lot of sense seeing the male brain is more wired for revenge.

I think the real reason is claims of god, nation or whatever has been used for centuries to get humans to kill other humans won't work as well as with us of the female sort ; ) We are much too naturally empathic for that ploy.

Actually endanger our children however and you best be watching out.....