Don't give me the "you have no right to speak of military matters since you never served" speech. I told Terrell I didn't want to discuss it and that I prefer to listen to Army brass about it it but he keeps starting the same fight with me so I answer him.
I really don't mind women in the military at all. It makes changing in a tent a little uncomfortable; that's it. But some women (and some men too) aren't at all cut out for it. TheCrusader is right. Mixed gender boot camps are a mess. Sharply reduced physical standards for women is wrong. And every member of the military that has even the remotest chance of meeting an enemy soldier should be able to competently and confidently wield a weapon. PR guys and gals in Washington can be the exception.
More people were killed stateside than in this war. Maybe all women should join the military so they'll be safe.
You're screaming at everyone here for having an 'agenda'; but what's yours? The brass really screwed the pooch with this one and they're trying to turn it into a propaganda victory.
The Washington Post screwed the pooch. My agenda is support for a POW who has sacrificed a lot for her country against those that are perpetually angry about something or another.
Why wasn't the convoy protected? Why didn't the convoy commander turn his vehicles around in the desert outside of the town? What was the training regimen of the 507th?
Dunno. He hasn't been attacked unfairly much so I don't know his story.
Never said that. But many people who haven't served, don't know much about it and draw conclusions based on incomplete evidence.
...that I prefer to listen to Army brass...
First mistake. General or Flag officers in any branch are almost all politicians. Even the good ones are politicians to some extant and they have their agenda. PR for their particular branch, covering their butts, etc. W/ regards to Jessica Lynch, the brass has it's agenda.
"More people were killed stateside than in this war. Maybe all women should join the military so they'll be safe. "
This comment shows your lack of service (and I'm not being accusatory here, just stating a fact). I'm 27 and don't have anything against women in the service, but what I said about mixed boot camp, physical standards, etc. is true.
The brass screwed the pooch because it let an unprotected convoy venture into a dangerous area. Were there ANY crew-served weapons on this convoy?