Replies

Sex is only a gating issue where physical performance is an issue. I will admit that I wouldn’t want a women to be on the ground fighting in a combat situation along side of me, but there are many studies and performance measurements where based on averages, women have an edge over men in combat roles.

If physical capabilities were the only difference between the sexes, then I might be more inclined to agree with you. However, there are huge mental and emotional differences as well. In my non-expert opinion, women are not suited for combat. I recognize that there are exceptions, but what I find incredibly unfortunate is that, because a very small percentage of women exist who could perform excellently in combat, we foolishly open the entire military to females indiscriminately. I would prefer that we limit females in the military to those few who prove they can hack it, but we don't, because in today's utopian, PC world, we are not supposed to recognize reality if reality does not match our vision.

Also, I would be very interested in seeing those studies you mentioned, if you can give me a reference or two.

I was in error; it was Maj. Wilbert D. “Doug” Pearson who piloted the F15. Totally erroneous reference. I apologize. Still and all, it makes for an interesting read.

http://www.svengrahn.pp.se/histind/ASAT/F15ASAT.html

I however wish to define the terms of “Combat” and how we use it in this friendly give and take. Is Combat different when you are up close and personal or at 20,000 feet and bombing little targets on the ground? I only know the version of Combat at the eye contact level. My experience was very up close and personal. That type of combat is totally wrong for a woman. Maybe an Amazon would do well, but a woman in the realistic sense – NO.

Now is combat sitting in an air-conditioned CIC on an aircraft carrier and seeing a spot on a radar/sonar screen and being given the order of fire the defensive weapon; could a woman function as well as a man? I think the answer is yes. Would it be appropriate for a woman to fly an A10 Wart hog in support of ground troops? Again yes. Would it be acceptable for a woman to served in a non line combatant role in any of the services in a theatre of war, I think that the answer is more yes than no. Women can fix a Plane, a radar, a truck.

I just think that barring the up close and personal role of a ground combat, women are very nearly capable of doing a number of jobs traditionally performed by a man. We have a tendency of depersonalizing the effect of pushing a button that sinks a ship. We teach the personnel that if it is you against them, it is better that you win and they don’t. We don’t dwell on the human aspect of the impact of their actions.

I’ve spoken with fighter and bomber pilots and they tell me that they usually don’t see the effect of their work unless it is BDA (Bomb Damage Assessment) then it is always the “things” that are assessed; the bridge, building, tunnel complex that was destroyed. Even collateral damage is minimized.

So given the above, barring ground combat, I think that for women who want to serve their country, there are many places where they can serve honorably and effectively.

Be well and thank you for the polite debate.