The Secretary Of Defense And The Chairman Of The Joint Chiefs Of Staff

For years women have been trying to gain gender equality throughout the working world, along with in the military. Since the beginning of a uniformed military, women could not serve in military occupational specialty (MOS) positions that put them in direct combat roles. Although many women have contributed in significant ways, they have not been authorized to serve in MOS such as infantry, artillery, or armor. As the war on terrorism has developed since 9/11, women have slowly worked their way farther into the military and its many roles. This resulted in women being placed into direct combat roles. Though women have been allowed into many different roles, there is still one battle that they have yet to win and this time the majority is not backing them. Women are trying to gain access to United States Special Operations units in every branch of the military and the majority of these operators are not happy about it. While some people believe women deserve equality and the chance to do what men can do in the military, that is why women should not be

The change from conventional battle lines to an all out street conflict impacts all elements of the armed forces. Traditional and distinct separations in the boundaries that define non-hostile occupations commonly known as “support units” from their “combat arms” counterparts causes problems when those supportive elements encounter hostilities and naturally take measures to defend themselves. Conflict arises when those elements, engaging in combat, have female soldiers, which, is thought to be a violation of the United States Military Policy. This policy (taken from Army Regulation (AR) 10-6, 600-3) currently states that females may not engage in direct combat based on several factors (whs.mil). The current engagements in the Middle East

The question originally posed in the Combat Exclusion Law, regarding placement of females in combat, continues to be debated as women are placed in combat roles without adequate training (Sanchez, 2011). What distinguishes some positions as being acceptable while others are not? Who has the authority to approve exceptions, and what exceptions have been made? On May 13, 2011, a bill placed before the House of Representatives addressed the issue to “repeal the ground combat exclusion policy for female members” (Sanchez, 2011, p. 1).

On December 3, 2015, Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter ordered the military to open all combat jobs to women with no exceptions (Kamarck 2). This has raised both concerns and shouts of joy. Those who advocate for it emphasize on equal rights and the argument of how hard for service members to advance to top-ranking positions without combat experience. Also, with the current standards for entry as artificially high, some believe standards should lowered. Those on the opposition raise issues such as psychological, social and cultural differences and claim any change to the current standards as potentially damaging to military readiness. Mike Fredenburg from National Review has only written about the negative side of women in combat. Whether it is facts or from his personal opinion, he talks about the differences in women and men physically and mentally and how a mixed gender unit will reduce the chances of survival and women could not survive in combat.

Women in combat in the military is described as qualified women who serve on the war front in battle like rangers, navy seal, air force, and marine corps infantry. The Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter ordered the military to open all combat positions for women on December 3, 2015 (Kamarck). The physical incapabilities, mental stress, and inadequate performance in unit cohesion supports my claim that women should not be allowed in combat.

Throughout the history of mankind there has always been a debate regarding the equality between men and women. A more specific detail in this argument is the conflict of women should be on the front line of battlefield. This topic is significant congress is currently passing legislation on whether women can serve on the front lines of combat. It is also significant because the army rangers has opened its camp to women for the first time in early 2015. This essay will argue the point that women should not be allowed on the front line of combat but allowed in the military. In order to argue this point this essay will demonstrate how the role of women changed in combat over the past 100 years. It will also show what the differences are between

The article addresses the immediate concerns and resolutions concerning military women in combat. David Lerman provided overwhelming evidence that allows the reader to imagine a world with women in a combat role. He also states the pros and cons for women in combat roles. Although it is clear from Mr. Lerman’s tone that he supports women in combat, this article did not overwhelm the reader with positive regards. It fairly suggests important processes that will need to be in place before this implementation can be successful.

Due to the expected integration of women into combat roles, the Marine Corps trained 233 female Marines in Marine Corps infantry and other ground combat schools (Michaels). Of those 233, less than half passed the minimum requirement of pull-ups (AP). In 1994 the “Direct Ground Combat Definition and Assignment Rule” was installed to remove women from direct combat roles (Hovey). In the time since, social justice groups have fought for equality for women, the LGBT community, and minority groups concerning multiple issues. Many issues arose from the repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” rule, but the military has not suffered for the decision. The current issue is women in combat roles. The forced integration of women into combat specific roles is detrimental to overall combat effectiveness. The nature of the push to move women into combat specific roles forces those making the decisions into employing whatever means are necessary to achieve the desired level of integration.

In recent years, the United States military has been expanding and adjusting its policies to remove as much discrimination as possible. Although women have been allowed to enlist in the military since World War II, many positions and MOS’s in each branch do not permit women to perform them. Such positions are primarily combative, and require a large amount of physical and mental strength and endurance. While many feel that this is sexist and discriminates against women, it is simply a matter of whether it would be beneficial to have women placed into combat for national safety as well as the safety for the other soldiers. Since the majority of females cannot meet the requirements necessary to fill these combative positions, there is no need to revise the military regulations on the matter and in turn risk the lives of other soldiers and the protection of citizens. Despite its positive impact on removing discrimination and misogyny in the armed forces, it would negatively impact military operations and efficiency.

In January 1994, the “Secretary of Defense Les Aspin overturned the "risk rule" excluding women from any positions that could expose them to direct combat, hostile fire, or capture; the rule was replaced by the "direct ground combat assignment rule," which more narrowly tailored the restriction to front line combat positions.” (Mackenzie) According to the 1994 Department of Defense policy, women were limited from some occupational specialties if those specialties were physically located with direct ground combat units. According to a press release the Army will begin implementing the DoD policy. “Removing the restrictions opened 13,139 Army positions to women, occupations like; Multiple Launch Rocket System crewmember, MLRS operations fire detection specialist, Field artillery fire finder radar operator specialist, M1 Abrams tank system maintainer, Bradley Fighting Vehicle system maintainer, and Artillery mechanic.” (Wong)

When it comes to combat assignments and the needs of the military, men take precedence over all other considerations, including career prospects of female service members. Female military members have been encouraged to pursue opportunities and career enhancement within the armed forces, which limit them only to the needs and good of the service due to women being not as “similarly situated” as their male counterparts when it comes to strength or aggressiveness, and are not able to handle combat situations.

Women have been participating in the United States military since the Revolutionary War, where they were nurses, maids, cooks and even spies. They played vital roles in order to keep those fighting on the front lines healthier, and even a more important role in keeping commanding officers informed with private information stolen from the other side. Although the Revolutionary War took play in 1776, the first law to be passed that permanently stated that women have an official place in the military was in 1948, almost one hundred and seventy-two years later. Since that time there has been a lack of true growth when it comes to integration of females in the military. In 1994, a law was passed that tried to prohibit women from being assigned to ground combat units below the brigade level. Women are excluded from more then 25% of active combat roles within the military and only in 2013 was the ban lifted which was the final barrier to allowing women into all active roles. This has been a huge step in the direction for women being considered as being equal but there are still challenges that women face within the military. Ranging from sexual assault, discrimination, bullying, and other tactics, it is clear that for many, the military is still a “boys club.”

After years of discussion and debate it appears that soon women will be sent into combat operations in the United States military. This is the way it should be because women are ready and competent to be put into combat roles in the U.S. military. Indeed, slowly but surely, the Defense Department and Congress have been inching towards a decision that will formalize the policy; in fact the National Defense Authorization Act, put before Congress in May, 2012 by U.S. Senators John McCain and Carl Levin will in effect order the military "…to come up with a plan to send women into battle" (McAuliff, 2012). Hopes are high that this will be approved by Congress and signed into law by President Barack Obama.

“We are all equal; it is not birth but virtue alone that makes the difference.” This insightful quote from the famous French philosopher and historian “Voltaire” seems to accurately represent the beliefs of the factions of American citizens pushing to allow women to fight in combat positions within the US Armed Forces. Though the topic has just recently been boosted into the media and congressional politics, it has been long debated. A rather current editorial from USA Today titled: “Open Combat Positions to Women” outlines the recent developments in the status of a much disputed and controversial issue facing the nation today. Though somewhat less in-depth than some opposing opinions, the

Women have fought alongside men in the United States Military in every major battle since the American Revolution. The roles of women in the military have evolved over time to allow the incorporation of women in expanding military career fields. Women have proven themselves to be an asset to the military despite some of society believing women would weaken America’s military effectiveness. Today more than 200,000 women are active-duty military, this is about 14.5% of all military. Currently, women are involved in all branches of the Armed Forces; there are around 74,000 women in the Army, 62,000 in the Air Force, 53,000 in the Navy, and 14,000 in the Marine Corps (By the numbers: Women in the U.S. Military). Military women continue to