[airborne]

First, I apologize for assuming you are a man.Sorry.
I am a disabled vet who served proudly with the 82nd Airborne. My father, grandfather and great grandfather all served in the Army, as did two brothers. One brother is presently in Iraq. I have 18 and 14 year old sons.
I do not share your opinion conscerning women in the military. I do share your opinion that the American male is increasingly becoming immasculated by the feminization of America.
With regards to Pvt. Lynch being too far forward, we are all now in the combat zone. There is no "safe" place. And regardless of your or my feelings, as long as women serve in the Armed Foces they will continue to be in harms way.
BTW, I know it takes more than shooting an M-16 to be a soldier.I spent 3 years in anInfantry platoon as a squad leader. I was trying to keep my post short.

[CholeraJoe]

Finally, a voice of sanity. Thank you for your service, trooper, from a USAF vet.

I served with women in hostile circumstances. On at least two occasions, women pulled my bacon out of the fire. On another assignment, I served with female ICBM crewmembers. Their professionalism was outstanding. What greater trust can a nation place in a person than the custody of 10 ICBMs loaded with 30 citykiller nukes?

[Smocker]

Thank you for serving our country, because people like you serve, we here at home can argue and bicker about things we hold dear.