Posted on 10/04/2025 8:10:12 AM PDT by John Semmens
Speeches by President Trump and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to America's top generals and admirals were assailed by anonymous ex-Pentagon employees. "What difference does it make if a general or admiral is too fat to pass any of the fitness requirements that front-line soldiers and sailors are expected to meet?" one source wanted to know. "They're not going to be storming enemy positions or flying combat missions. All they have to do is give orders."
Another fretted that "all the effort we've expended to compile a force that exemplifies diversity, equity, and inclusion is being cast aside. We're a diverse society. Why shouldn't folks of divergent abilities be participating in active combat or in the ranks of those giving the orders?"
Hegseth said "I think it is important that our military be a fearsome force. By weeding out the unfit we ensure our enemies that there are no weak spots for them to attack. The basic problem with the DEI emphasis we've seen over recent years is that lowering the fitness standards to accommodate weaker women lowers the average performance of combat units. Women who can't meet the fitness requirements expected of men have no place in combat units."
"Second, I think it is important that our military be seen as a serious organization," he added. "Individuals who are grossly overweight, men pretending to be women and wearing dresses detract from the seriousness of the organization. They project an image of confusion that undermines the deterrence function of our mission and makes actual warfare more likely."
Former Vice-President Kamala Harris asserted "this is a very wrong turn in the history of our nation. Modern warfare doesn't require that soldiers be strong or agile. Anyone can launch a missile or drone with the push of a button. Why should women and transgenders be denied this opportunity? Just because our adversaries might not be intimidated by this doesn't negate the right of these individuals to have equal opportunities to join our armed forces. If I had won the election I would have expanded the DEI program to include every type of individual. No one should be barred from pursuing their dream by artificial and unnecessary standards of the sort Trump and Hegseth want to impose on those who defend our nation."
In 78-79, women were allowed to serve in Nike Hercules batteries, it was devastating to morale. E5's and E6's were forced back into the barracks, because the facilities weren't "suitable" for women. Female privates were allowed to live off base, which was obviously preferable to them.
I was a HQs battery commander at Fort Bliss from 83-84, i.e. "clerks and cooks." I led PT every day (5 days a week): 20 minutes of calisthenics followed by a 2 mile run in formation. Our pass rate on the PT test was nearly 99%, 5 failed the first time (out of 300+). Those 5 passed on their retake.
Women were not suited for Chaparral duty. Each missile weighed 196 pounds. I often jumped in to help out on missile reloading, as we were short on bodies most of the time. I was chided by an evaluator, because "officers weren't supposed to get involved." Of course, that was entirely a bunch of BS.
We're about a month away from Veterans Day: thanks for your service.
Same back at you. I never worked harder, intellectually and physically in my life, but honestly, I got more out of my two years in the Army than I put in.
None of us were allowed to have a gun. We could use only a weapon.
The old guys don’t have to do much to pass their low standard.
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