[lacrew]

Tank units?

My CO gave me his reasoning for not allowing women into Armor units: In Desert Shield, his unit was so bored and on edge, there were fist fights over the best MRE...he was confident that the addition of a woman to fight over would result in soldiers killing each other.

There is also the matter of living practically on top of each other, changing and bathing in front of each other, etc.

But the real issue is good ole upper body strength. I have seen women try to load a tank round (as a cadet)...not pretty. I’m sure there a few women out there who could do it...but the vast majority would be too slow. And, there were a variety of jobs on a tank that some of the smaller guys couldn’t do well - mostly dealing with maintenance and the track.

I’m left asking - Does this increase our readiness? If the answer is no, then why are we doing it?

[Theoria]

The same argument is true to the police and firefighters. The requirements for strength and endurance are commonsense and applicable for the job.

[huldah1776]

To DECREASE our readiness, just like dumbing down our students, shipping jobs overseas, etc, etc.

To make Mrs Obama proud.

[Tallguy]

Another problem for females is the tendency to breakdown after sustained physical activity. A problem that will only be worse because of hygenic problems in the field.

I watched every female in my plebe company at the USNA go down with shin splints during the first week. Several could run well, but put them in boondockers and have them double-timing under arms. Shin splints.