I saw a video of a fire mission (Don’t know if it was Afghanistan or Iraq) where the individual Marines were physically taking 155 mm rounds off the bed of a truck that was close to lower/mid chest height. (I assume they were 155mm rounds by the awkward way they were carrying them...I think if they were 105 mm, they could carry those far less awkwardly.)
They were holding the rounds in a bear hug, then walking-frog walking them about 20 yards over to another area and putting them on the ground, then coming right back for another one.
It looked like exhausting, back breaking work if you had to do that for any length of time. You would be hard pressed I think to find many women who could carry more than one or two.
In a combat situation where every physical body can make a difference, to have only guys being able to do that is a severe disadvantage to unit capability.
Well said
Back in the 80’s, I and a SSG were laoding a 2 1/2 ton truck with cammo bags and webbing. Big heavy bags with a bunch of metal poles. We were racing each other, one in each hand, to throw them into the truck; half macho, half trying to beat the departure time.
The rest of his squad, mostly women with a few REMFs, were struggling to carry one bag and we were helping them get them into the trucks between throws.
I have never been a supporter of women in combat units. If they want in, let them do the same PT test everyone else has to do.