Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Former DOD Inspector Gen: Panetta’s Directive May be Unconstitutional
http://www.newsmax.com ^ | January 23, 2013 | Paul Scicchitano

Posted on 01/24/2013 6:55:40 AM PST by NKP_Vet

Reacting to reports that outgoing Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta is lifting the Pentagon’s long-standing ban on women serving in combat, former DOD Inspector General Joseph E. Schmitz tells Newsmax that he believes the decision will lead to a “degradation of good order and discipline” and may even be unconstitutional.

Senior defense officials say Pentagon chief Leon Panetta is removing the military's ban on women serving in combat, opening hundreds of thousands of front-line positions and potentially elite commando jobs after more than a decade at war.

“Introducing mixed gender combat units in my experience and judgment will inevitably lead to a degradation of good order and discipline,” asserted Schmitz, a recognized constitutional expert who held the position of DOD’s top investigator from April 2002 to September 2005 after 27 years of Naval Service, including four years at the Naval Academy, five years of active duty in the fleet, and 18 years in the Naval Reserve.

Schmitz tells Newsmax that it is questionable under Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution whether Panetta has the authority to make such a change to America’s “land and naval forces,” since this authority is specifically granted to Congress.

(Excerpt) Read more at newsmax.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: womenincombat
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-45 next last
I am been saying all along that Congress makes this call. But since Obama ignores Congress and does whatever in the hell he feels like doing, I don't guess it make any difference at all. I also read where Panetta said the Joint Chiefs of Staff had recommended this change to him. Yea, either say you agree with it or retire early. Last night on Faux News, this story didn't even warrant coverage. All bow down to the great and powerful King Obama, dear leader, savior of the world. The republicans cowering down like a dog in heat.
1 posted on 01/24/2013 6:55:43 AM PST by NKP_Vet
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: NKP_Vet
Front line / combat infantry women:

what is the anticipated rate of turnover due to pregnancies?

Will their assignment be "guaranteed" to them following maternity leave?

What quota will be established for women in combat squads?

2 posted on 01/24/2013 7:00:16 AM PST by corkoman (Release the Palin!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NKP_Vet

Last night on Faux News...


People used to laugh at me when I said Fox news was liberal.

To anyone like me that has not had TV since 1997, on the rare occasions I AM exposed to it it is quite obvious.


3 posted on 01/24/2013 7:03:56 AM PST by cuban leaf (Were doomed! Details at eleven.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: corkoman

Another thing that was probably not thought about when King Obama ordered Penetta to do it is keeping women on active duty and enlistment of women. 99% of women will want no part of being in a combat unit so they are not going to join the military. Most that join will be certified bull-dykes. Big, greasy lesbians getting in the way of men trying to do their job. Can you imagine taking orders from a dyke that thinks she can kick your ass? How’s that going to go over?


4 posted on 01/24/2013 7:07:46 AM PST by NKP_Vet
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: NKP_Vet
With each passing day I feel less at home here.

I just hope the Lord above spares my family & I from whats surely coming.

5 posted on 01/24/2013 7:10:08 AM PST by skeeter
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: corkoman

Elections have consequences. The American people have elected a bizarre vile President who is implementing a wrongheaded liberal agenda. The economy has been weakened, the culture coarsened and the military disrupted. The grave harm being done to America goes unrecognized by a majority of its uneducated decadent citizens. Dopey people will never understand what or why has happened. The liberal leaders in politics and the media have committed grievous crimes against the people. Only history will hold them accountable.


6 posted on 01/24/2013 7:12:28 AM PST by allendale
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: NKP_Vet

Once again the panty waisted kongress shirks its sworn duty to uphold the Constitution. They are too busy running around hitting on donors for contributions to their next election campaign. Term limits or tarred and feathered rail rides are in their future. I’m leaning toward the rail rides. (jus’ sayin’)


7 posted on 01/24/2013 7:13:15 AM PST by Don Corleone ("Oil the gun..eat the cannoli. Take it to the Mattress.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NKP_Vet

Constitution? We don't need no stinking Constitution!

8 posted on 01/24/2013 7:13:56 AM PST by Gay State Conservative (Red State Secession Is The Only Answer)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NKP_Vet

“Unconstitutional” is an outdated, obsolete notion.

It has been replaced with something called “Roberts”.


9 posted on 01/24/2013 7:19:41 AM PST by Buckeye McFrog
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NKP_Vet

Listen Leon, since you have decided to retire, I have one thing left I need
for you to do, cuz if it goes bad I can't take the blame for it. I need for you
to announce that women will now be allowed inside frontline combat units.
This may be our only chance to cripple the military once and for all.
Are you up for it?

Sure boss.

10 posted on 01/24/2013 7:19:41 AM PST by Slyfox (The key to Marxism is medicine - Vladimir Lenin)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Buckeye McFrog

Exactly.... since when has this group been interested in the constitution?


11 posted on 01/24/2013 7:23:33 AM PST by longfellowsmuse (last of the living nomads)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: cuban leaf

I tell my wife that all the time as she watches the Fox and Friends drivel. I like to point out to her the duplicity of people like Sean Vanity and O’Really saying they are conservative but in the next breath introduce their “real good friend” some RINO (like Coulter) or left wing hack.

She says I read too much FR, Red States, and the like and it makes me angry and says they are too full of conspiracy stuff to be taken seriously. I just chuckle as she watches an interview with Bob Beckel on his take on conservatism. Bless her she is trying.


12 posted on 01/24/2013 7:33:51 AM PST by Resolute Conservative
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: NKP_Vet

There are plenty in Congress who will NEVER agree with this.

In fact according to Mark Levin it will eventually become impossible to keep from making women subject to the draft just the same as men are, because the reasons for not subjecting them the same as men is just one lawsuit away, by a man complaining of unequal treatment under the law if he is subject to draft and she isn’t, when she is doing the same jobs in the military he is.

Yes, they say we have a volunteer force, but its only up to a point. Men are forced to register and are subject to draft in case of military need. Levin says only a matter of time until women are, too.

I agree that it is unconstitutional for this not to come from the Congress.

When I said plenty in Congress oppose it, I don’t know what can or will be done about it because that hasn’t had time to play out yet, but I do know they understand this is a horrible, disastrous policy. Please understand this was dropped on them like a bomb at this time purposely. While they are consumed with budget and financial matters and the Congress is brand new, this was deliberately thrown at them now so they would be back on their heels and not in forward position about it.

That’s the way these Communists are taking over America...


13 posted on 01/24/2013 7:36:01 AM PST by txrangerette ("...hold to the truth; speak without fear". (Glenn Beck))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NKP_Vet

Why, I believe the man is correct.
Only Congress has the authority...
“To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces;”


14 posted on 01/24/2013 7:36:26 AM PST by BuffaloJack (Children, pets, and slaves get taken care of. Free Men take care of themselves.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NKP_Vet

From what I understand, Panetta will give women the option of being in combat forces, i.e., they will have to volunteer. This sounds like a double standard. Do men have the same option?


15 posted on 01/24/2013 7:46:02 AM PST by kabar
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Resolute Conservative

Fortunately, my wife and I are on the same page. I compare our situation to one of those comedy scenes where a bunch of soldiers are standing in a row and the commander asks for volunteers to take one step forward, and everyone except our poor hero takes a step back, leaving the impression he took a step forward.

People like you and me were standing in the middle in the 1960’s. But as the rest of the troops continued to be sucked into the MSM vortex over the years, they didn’t even notice their own shuffle to the left. Now, many of the “conservatives” look to their right and see us far off in the distance as “far right” while the liberals need a telescope to see us.

In reality it is not us that have moved. It is them.


16 posted on 01/24/2013 7:46:23 AM PST by cuban leaf (Were doomed! Details at eleven.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: NKP_Vet

“Introducing mixed gender combat units in my experience and judgment will inevitably lead to a degradation of good order and discipline,” asserted Schmitz

And isn’t that like, kinda the point???


17 posted on 01/24/2013 7:48:20 AM PST by TEXOKIE (We must surrender only to our Holy God and never to the evil that has befallen us.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: txrangerette

“When I said plenty in Congress oppose it, I don’t know what can or will be done about it because that hasn’t had time to play out yet, but I do know they understand this is a horrible, disastrous policy. Please understand this was dropped on them like a bomb at this time purposely. While they are consumed with budget and financial matters and the Congress is brand new, this was deliberately thrown at them now so they would be back on their heels and not in forward position about it.”

Bumping your post.


18 posted on 01/24/2013 7:50:16 AM PST by TEXOKIE (We must surrender only to our Holy God and never to the evil that has befallen us.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: NKP_Vet
"former DOD Inspector General Joseph E. Schmitz tells Newsmax that he believes the decision will lead to a 'degradation of good order and discipline' "

Where was this guy when DoD transistioned from "don't ask, don't tell" to open support of Gay Pride Day?
19 posted on 01/24/2013 7:53:55 AM PST by indthkr
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NKP_Vet

Very simple way to stop this crazy idea in its tracks.

“Sure, open up “Combat Arms Billets” to women so they won’t be discriminated against or hampered in career development....

.... 12 months after we re-institute the “Reparations Draft”! “

(Reparations Draft = Draft ONLY women for the Armed Services until the total number of women who have services since Women’s Suffrage passed equals the total number of men who have served since then. Equal Rights necessitates Equal Responsibilities)

That will kill this idiotic idea in a heartbeat.


20 posted on 01/24/2013 7:55:29 AM PST by BwanaNdege ("To learn who rules over you simply find out who you are not allowed to criticize"- Voltaire)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-45 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson