[An.American.Expatriate]

Re: Women in the military - from 1981 through 1990 I served in several units with the US Army. From Basic Training though to my final assignment, women were an integral part of every unit. These fine women provide a valuable service to our country and they choose to do so!

The only thing that needs to be changed is the physical requirement - if a job description says that the soldier needs to lift and carry 100 lbs, the standard must be the same.

The Women in the Army myth died! None of the "horrors" claimed before this was instituted have come to pass.

We shudder when a fine young soldier such as PFC Lynch is captured because we know what horrors may await her - but she chose to serve her country and knew what could happen. We should not call into question the services of our brave women soldiers - they have earned our respect!

[An.American.Expatriate]

Anybody got a BagCam up?

If / when somebody sees US / Brit forces on a BagCam - Snap Shot it a and SHOUT!!

[Professional]

Of course, we don't want our troops so afraid of surrendering, simply because they are women, that they fight in a suicidal manner. What if others in the unit WANTED to surrender, but she didn't? Some very serious thoughts on this will be discussed by higher ups and politicians for years to come.

[Tree of Liberty]

If I remember correctly, women in the military during Reagan and Bush's respective administrations were not assigned to front line ops as a matter of policy. Clinton changed that, and that's especially where I fear the natural chivalry of an honorable man will get him, and the woman he might attempt to protect, killed. I don't have as much of a problem with women in the rear echelon, but I question the need to train them as a fighting force, instead of just for a particular job, if they would not be going to the front.

The issue of sex HAS been a pretty big issue. In the Gulf War, for instance, over 5.5% of women couldn't deploy with their units. Almost all of that due to pregnancy. Men have no such issue.

[oceanperch]

Beautifully put.