[BobL]

“kill the women first”

It may also have to do with the instinct of men to ‘protect women’ (at least until the feminist movement, that is). Obviously any hesitation or confusion on the part of our boys is risky as hell, so you kill them first, and then think about it.

[katana]

I would not agree with putting women into certain (meaning it's a certainty they'll be in close combat) combat situations. The male instinct you describe could or would alter how the men react. And that's not to mention the sexual dynamics of young (unrelated) men and women locked up together for weeks and months.

But training up young American women to their maximum fitness levels and giving them the skills and confidence to handle themselves in such situations? No problem. Viking shield maidens supposedly were extremely disconcerting and demoralizing to opposing forces, and one can only imagine how your typical goat molesting misogynist Muslim would react to getting his head handed to him by a "girl".

[Tallguy]

I think youre onto something. The attacking force is assigned to take out the women first (I presume that means if the attackers are presented with an obvious choice). That would better ensure 2 things: 1) the objective is taken, and 2) the attacking force takes no unnecessary risks taking female prisoners once #1 happens. There may be more “shock effect” for the male defenders as well, but I suspect that’s a cultural thing. IOW’s, do you think Hamas would give a rip if a few females serving with them got whacked? Probably not.