Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm marked the first large-scale combat deployment of women. Estimates are that between 35,000 and 50,000 women were deployed to the combat zone alongside some 550,000 men.3,5–7 Many of their needs were similar to those of men except for gynecological care.
Studies on women in the Persian Gulf War have noted similar findings. In a study of the 1st Cavalry Division’s medical visits, gynecologic disorders were the most common diagnosis recorded in women. Approximately 26% one quarter of the visits, of the 1,792 visits were gynecology related. Women were 6% of total troop strength and found to be three times more likely to have sick call visits than men.
During one stretch, twenty-four pregnancies were encountered in the 458 gynecologic visits. This trend continued throughout the sortie and ultimately more women were sent home due to pregnancies than combat injuries.
In a study made for the secretary of defense by the GAO, listed below, except for officers which is in the ballpark also, graph 5.2 displays the problem:
http://archive.gao.gov/t2pbat5/149552.pdf
This information is not to put a mark on women, but to display the inaccuracies and misfunction of the need for combat use. The need by our politicians is political to get votes, and the need of the military is mission. Apparently two different thought processes.
wy69
"...Women have honorably served in the combat zone, but not on the infantry’s standards, on door-kicking missions. Let us be honest. Panetta’s words are spin—not exactly the stuff combat commanders’ dreams are made of when it comes to building the tip of the spear. Military women are strong, tough, and dedicated in their own right. Women do not need to be in the combat units to prove they are important or to serve honorably and well, and they do not need to be there to gain career opportunities. Women have achieved some of the highest levels of military leadership without entering combat units..."
In my non-military career (which has been nearly six times longer than my military one) I have had the privilege of working under skilled, dedicated, and capable women whose ability inspired unreserved loyalty, fealty, and respect in me for that person.
But it is not the military, and definitely not combat.
And thank you for that link. I will check it out later.