Posted on 10/29/2008 1:12:38 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Barack Obama has consistently and very publicly staked out policy positions far to the left of the American public on such issues as taxes, abortion, and same-sex marriage. But one issue has slipped quietly under the radar: If elected president, the Illinois senator would require women to register for the military draft. As commander in chief, he would also consider assigning women to roles in close combat, also known as "the point of the spear."
"Women are already serving in combat [in Iraq and Afghanistan], and the current policy should be updated to reflect realities on the ground," Obama spokeswoman Wendy Morigi told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Oct. 13. "Barack Obama would consult with military commanders to review the constraints that remain."
While it is true that some women are already serving in combat, they are usually doing so in support units and against the Pentagon's own rules. In 1994, Clinton defense secretary Les Aspin issued the "direct combat assignment rule" that today still governs in theory, though not in practice. In a Jan. 13, 1994, memo, Aspin wrote that women might not be assigned "where units and position are doctrinally required to physically collocate and remain with direct combat units that are closed to women."
Elaine Donnelly, president of the Center for Military Readiness, said the military now routinely assigns women to support units embedded with close combat elements. The Army is also assigning them directly to infantry units, she said.
"Women joining infantry support units should know they will be in harm's way—there's no disputing that," Donnelly said. "However when they are told they will not be assigned to a close combat area, they should expect not to be. That breaks faith."
Feminist groups have long complained that men and women in the U.S. military should serve in identical capacities. During a CNN/YouTube debate last year, Obama compared the role of women in today's armed forces to that of black soldiers and airmen in World War II.
"There was a time when African Americans weren't allowed to serve in combat," Obama said. "And yet, when they did, not only did they perform brilliantly, but what also happened is they helped to change America, and they helped to underscore that we're equal."
That's true for men of all races, but not for men and women in the demanding environment of war, said former Army Capt. Michele Jones. "It's not a matter of opinion; it's just a fact," said Jones, who from May 2004 to June 2005 commanded a truck company out of the 89th Transportation Corps base at Fort Eustis, Va. "Women are not built the same as men. They cannot carry 150 pounds on their backs. They can't carry fully loaded, heavy weapons for long distances."
Ground commanders also cannot realistically deploy them in the same way as men. "There were a lot of times I was tasked to provide armed security for convoys staffed entirely with local nationals, all male," Jones said. "There was no way I was going to send women to provide security for a convoy full of nothing but foreign men, for obvious reasons."
Jones said commanding a war-zone unit with up to 50 percent women caused other problems, such as sexual and emotional entanglements. Also her truck convoys routinely came under fire during her tour. "My male soldiers told me they felt more protective of the women in the unit," she said.
That's normal human nature, she added, but noted that the shift in priorities can change the outcome in battle.
Obama's contention that women should serve in direct combat roles echoes that of feminist groups that have long complained men and women in the U.S. military should serve in identical capacities. Elaine Donnelly said that view reveals the Democratic candidate's "ignorance on the purpose of the military," which is to defend the American people, not serve as an equal-opportunity employer.
"In the fierce environment of direct ground combat, like Fallujah in November 2004," Donnelly said, "women do not have an equal opportunity to survive—or to help fellow soldiers survive."
My pleasure!
[did I win anything?]....;]
“They will pencil whip their qualifications because that is what the bosses want. If you don’t qualify them your career is over, simple as that.”
So I should change my mind because some people don’t do their jobs? NO.
If you do qualify them, and they can’t do their jobs, then you should get fired, AND charged for falsifying official documentation, civil rights violations against the folks those people displaced, and a few other little things.
Maybe I’m prejudiced because I retired an E-7 partially because I spoke the truth even when people didn’t want to hear it.
I don’t equate women in combat with equality of women. Women have a place in society equal with men but with different responsibilities. In a way they are even more important than men in that they nurture and teach the next generation. There is a difference to be recognized and honored.
Placing them in combat is to dishonor them.
For your efforts, the Obama campaign will be sending you your very own autographed copy of the 30 min CastroObama propaganda infomercial.
Should this fine reward fail to alter your critical thinking abilities enlighten you, you will be eligible for the Grand Prize - a trip for one to Camp Obama where you will empty your wallet, receive a new wardrobe, chant, march and learn to change.
Congratulations!
;-)
My annual appraisal contains a category about how I support affirmative action.
Once the politicians order it- it will be done, and it will suck!
Like wings on a jackass, looks good but it won't fly!
Been there! Done that!
Since quotas are no longer legal, make them justify that. Especially since people seem to be getting larger these days. Even kids.
Same for changing the requirements. I'd demonstrate for them on live television the difference between what a 110lb woman can move vs. a 110lb man.
Might want to encourage women to work on upper-body strength, too. I know it can work. One of the troops who worked for me just before the 1st Gulf War was stronger than several of my guys, but she spent an hour or two a day at the gym working on her upper-body. She was over a foot shorter than the guys in question, too.
For that matter, my grandma wasn't all that large, but NOBODY messed with her, as she'd rip your arms off. Grew up working as a cook in the lumber camps where she met my grandpa just before the Great Depression.
we are talking ‘point of the spear’ , not in the ‘rear with the gear’ , right?
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