Ban on women in combat to be lifted

[wuapinmon]

This is something I'll not offer an opinion on because although I've got soul, I'm not a soldier. If the military commanders want this, then we should do it.

The only thing I think that needs answering now is, Selective Service for all?

Devildog,

Read it again. I don't say or assume that that's what they want. I say "if" because I'm not sure that this is a military or political decision. I said this right after I said that I'm not a soldier.

Also, the If movie is about stronger people beating up on weaker folks, and them going crazy and killing the stronger people. Also, McDowell was indeed Alex, a victim of brainwashing by a nihilistic future government, but that's just a subtext to what I was saying.

[Surfah]

Somebody needs to tell the Isrealis that women can't serve in a combat role. They have been doing it for years:

Women in the Israel Defense Forces - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I have an Israeli friend who met this wife when they were both doing their mandatory service. They were in the same unit. Seemed like a cool way to meet.

Sometimes I think the US should have a compulsory service like Israel.

[PaloAltoCougar]

Somebody needs to tell the Isrealis that women can't serve in a combat role. They have been doing it for years:

Women in the Israel Defense Forces - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I have an Israeli friend who met this wife when they were both doing their mandatory service. They were in the same unit. Seemed like a cool way to meet.

During WWII, nearly a million Soviet women served in the Red Army, and many were outstanding snipers and machine gunners. Many dozens received the Soviet equivalent of the Congressional Medal of Honor. I know this is sexist, even patronizing, but in a fight between my wife and an enemy seeking to kill or enslave her family, smart money would go on my wife every time.

[Devildog]

Somebody needs to tell the Isrealis that women can't serve in a combat role. They have been doing it for years:

The only reason the Israeli military appears competent... Is because they have most of our best stuff, and they have fought Arabs in open desert.

[Surfah]

The only reason the Israeli military appears competent... Is because they have most of our best stuff, and they have fought Arabs in open desert.

I disagree. While we share and have shared lots of technology, the Israelis have developed some amazing things on their own.

[PaloAltoCougar]

The only reason the Israeli military appears competent... Is because they have most of our best stuff, and they have fought Arabs in open desert.

The only reason? I would have thought lots of training, some pretty good technology of their own, a fanatical zeal about defending their homeland, and the requirement that they be in a constant state of readiness, among other reasons, would have contributed to the appearance that they're competent.

[Donuthole]

Boo. You are a sexist pig.

Took you long enough.

[Jeff Lebowski]

The only reason? I would have thought lots of training, some pretty good technology of their own, a fanatical zeal about defending their homeland, and the requirement that they be in a constant state of readiness, among other reasons, would have contributed to the appearance that they're competent.

Yeah, no kidding. DD loses some more credibility.

[tooblue]

Canada Offers Lessons on Women in Combat

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000...928698208.html

For the women who did sign up and ended up fighting in Afghanistan, many found the experience rewarding. As part of a two-person, heavy machine-gun team, Infantry Cpl. Katie Hodges regularly carried 80 pounds of equipment, including 220 rounds of ammunition, and sometimes went out on patrol for up to four days in a stretch. "It was great," she said.

[old_gregg]

The only reason the Israeli military appears competent... Is because they have most of our best stuff, and they have fought Arabs in open desert.

if there is one fighting force (other than ours) that has demonstrated competence, the idf is it. sure they borrow tech, but they're not like the saudis in the sense that they're still a source of military innovation. for example, they heavily use the f-16 airframe but the f-16I they've developed is very, very different from the f-16c and d the usaf uses. also keep in mind the merkava tank; galil, tavor, and uzi; iron dome; krav maga......

[tooblue]

Debunking the Israeli 'women in combat' myth

http://www.wnd.com/2001/08/10269/

“History shows that the presence of women has had a devastating impact on the effectiveness of men in battle,” wrote John Luddy in July 27, 1994, for the Heritage Foundation backgrounder.

“For example, it is a common misperception that Israel allows women in combat units. In fact, women have been barred from combat in Israel since 1950, when a review of the 1948 Arab-Israeli War showed how harmful their presence could be. The study revealed that men tried to protect and assist women rather than continue their attack. As a result, they not only put their own lives in greater danger, but also jeopardized the survival of the entire unit. The study further revealed that unit morale was damaged when men saw women killed and maimed on the battlefield,” Luddy said.

[Eddie]

Debunking the Israeli 'women in combat' myth
“History shows that the presence of women has had a devastating impact on the effectiveness of men in battle,” wrote John Luddy in July 27, 1994, for the Heritage Foundation backgrounder.

“For example, it is a common misperception that Israel allows women in combat units. In fact, women have been barred from combat in Israel since 1950, when a review of the 1948 Arab-Israeli War showed how harmful their presence could be. The study revealed that men tried to protect and assist women rather than continue their attack. As a result, they not only put their own lives in greater danger, but also jeopardized the survival of the entire unit. The study further revealed that unit morale was damaged when men saw women killed and maimed on the battlefield,” Luddy said.
http://www.wnd.com/2001/08/10269/

You don't say...

...part of me wonders about the psychological effect on men of seeing a woman wounded. It seems like all of the above would be exacerbated by the societal stereotype/norm of men having the role of protecting women. And while this is a complete stereotype - I suspect that many who volunteer to be in the infantry have a higher than normal regard for their own masculinity and their ability to meet societal stereotype expectations.

This isn't to say that women shouldn't be in combat. Just that I think there is the potential for it to lead to greater issues - at least until folks adjust to it over time.

[creekster]

if there is one fighting force (other than ours) that has demonstrated competence, the idf is it. sure they borrow tech, but they're not like the saudis in the sense that they're still a source of military innovation. for example, they heavily use the f-16 airframe but the f-16I they've developed is very, very different from the f-16c and d the usaf uses. also keep in mind the merkava tank; galil, tavor, and uzi; iron dome; krav maga......

You know I read a few books about the IDF in Lebanon in the 80s and I must say their reputation for competence may be exaggerated.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Debunking the Israeli 'women in combat' myth

http://www.wnd.com/2001/08/10269/

Your article was written in 2001. The law was changed to allow women in all roles of the IDF in 2000.

The 2000 Equality amendment to the Military Service law states that "The right of women to serve in any role in the IDF is equal to the right of men." As of now, 88% to 92% of all roles in the IDF are open to female candidates, while women can be found in 69% of all positions.

(same link as above)

[tooblue]

Your article was written in 2001. The law was changed to allow women in all roles of the IDF in 2000.



(same link as above)

Just reading and linking. Not, offering an opinion.