Doesn't matter what I think they should be capable of succeeding at. Everything in the military should be geared toward increasing combat effectiveness, and minimizing breaks in unit cohesion. If it doesn't increase combat fighting ability and solidify unit cohesion as a whole - it shouldn't be done.
Additionally, In order to have equality for promotion in the military you have to do one of two things - #1 Have separate standards for men and women (sexist), or #2 create equal, but lower standards (degrades combat effectiveness).
This isn't my theory, or belief. It's reality. The Marine Corps conducted a study of integrated combat units. They put people in charge of the program who wanted integrated units as much as Elizabeth Warren wanted to be an Indian. And, even with them putting folks in charge who so badly wanted to show GI Jane was every bit the badass as GI Joe, in every instance - the integrated, elements had less cohesion and performed at a lower level.
Case in point - my standard load out through 4 combat tours in 5 years = 100% the average female body weight in the Marine Corps. I don't know many women or even many men who can carry 100% of their body weight and still fight.
I've also seen adjacent Army units that women in support roles - I believe 1BCT had something like 30+ females pregnant in one deployment. You can blame Joe, you blame Jane, you can blame them equally, but the fact of the matter is that's one short-handed unit that was now down 30 more soldier than they started with - and that's before taking into account any combat casualties.
I was also on a MEU where one Marine though it would be a good idea to send nudie pics of his Marine g/f. Within days - those pics were across all three ships in the ARG. Male Marine's fault? Definitely. Female Marine's fault? Definitely. Breakdown in good order and discipline that should've never occurred and wouldn't have happened if the combat ships at sea weren't integrated? Definitely. I've probably seen more s4!t than your septic tank. I speak from experience, not feelings.
Are there one offs - What about Jane that can bench press more than Joe, or run faster? Yes, certainly. But, we're not talking the rare exception - we're talking the force as a whole.
If you want cohesive fighting units - keep women in the rear. If you want happy happy joy joy - reconstitute the WPA and do what you want.
Thank you for your service!
“Everything in the military should be geared toward increasing combat effectiveness, and minimizing breaks in unit cohesion. If it doesn’t increase combat fighting ability and solidify unit cohesion as a whole - it shouldn’t be done.”
You are absolutely correct!
I spent 28 1/2 years in the USN and USNR, and in those years of service saw NOTHING which would recommend allowing women in ships or in (or near) combat roles. In other words, women serving in harm’s way did not result in “increasing combat effectiveness, and minimizing breaks in unit cohesion.”
Senior officers who maintain the opposite position are after their next promotion, and are not looking to “increasing combat effectiveness,” or “minimizing breaks in unit cohesion.”
Keep in mind that the people who made the decision to allow women to go in harm’s way DID HOT HAVE TO GO IN HARM’S WAY THEMSELVES!
It probably will not be done, but we, as a nation, should repeal the insanity of women in combat roles in the military! There are plenty of jobs that women can do and not be subjected to horror of war!