[metalcor]

The US Army is the most efective fighting force in history--you disagree? I would prefere an all male combat force, but you may know that recruiting is suffering shortfalls as it is---not enough real men out there to do the job, apparently. Thank God for the women who step up, willingly and knowing full well what their duty may demand, and doing it with excellence.

[mike6181]

Lots of views on this, glad to hear from dad's of combat experienced daughters in the Army. Courage resides in women too. The question: Who said women in combat is ok? Was that part of the understood contract when these female soldiers signed on? If this is done, let it be done with the full permission of the American people, not slipped in with a regulation modification behind closed doors!

[William Terrell]

Thank God for the women who step up, willingly and knowing full well what their duty may demand, and doing it with excellence.

My steel U-joint clamp breaks and I replace it with one made of wood. It does an excellent job. . .for about two revolutions.

Saying women in combat are doing an "excellent job" is supporting the reduction in our military effectiveness. Let's look at it logically:

If a two equally equipped, equally experienced, equally populated forces met, one entirely of men and the other entirely of women met on the field of battle, it is certain that the force of men would win hands down.

Given this fact, any woman in a combat unit ipso facto reduces the effectiveness of the unit.

If we need more men, get them, by award or by draft. I served 13 months in a Marine unit in South Viet Nam with a large proportion of draftees. They did their job just as well as any of the volunteers (I was a volunteer).

It is the duty of males to defend their country. Hold them to it, like you hold them to pay taxes. It is the duty of women to bear and nurture the next generation of men and women to defend the nation and raise the next generation.

Sexist? Form follows function and function follows form. There is nothing more liberal than to deny that maxim.