[luckystarmom]

I've stated this a couple of times. The first post came out wrong. I meant if I joined the military I would make sure that I could handle being raped because I would assume that if I got captured I would be raped. It would be no shock to me.

I first said it. I meant that if I joined the military, I would be aware of the risks and being a woman would assume that would mean getting raped if I got captured or getting killed in combat.

The men and women who join the military are brave and take risks to defend our country.

I just said it wrong in the first post. I also wanted to get the point across that women aren't as weak as being portrayed by some of the posters. We give birth, and so we can handle a lot of pain.

Now, saying that I currently would not join the military because I would not want to assume the risks involved in being in the military.

On the other hand, if our country's security was really at risk (i.e. other country invading our country) and I was worried about the safety of my children, I would join in a heartbeat.

From some of the posts after my initial post, it seems like the women who join the military may not be aware of the risks. If that is the case, then maybe they shouldn't be in combat positions.

Bottomline is that it wouldn't shock me if Jessica Lynch was raped because I would have assumed it. I'd be more shocked if she wasn't raped.

[visualops]

I would make sure that I could handle being raped

Ehhh...that's not something one can quite train for.
That said, I understand your intent, which amounts to: In joining the military there should be an understanding of all the consequences of that service, which may include brutal treatment by captors.
Even if one is aware of the risks, that does not change the outcome. Even if rape is a highly likely consequence of capture, it does not lessen the pain, suffering, or horror of the act.
Yes, of course women are tough and can withstand all sorts of physical pain and suffering. But I don't think it's necessary to put mothers and wives and daughters on the front lines to prove it.