Women on the front lines??

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Replies

  • MikeyD1280
    MikeyD1280 Posts: 5,257
    I was an infantry man. I remember when I was in back in 1999 the only reason that they gave why it would not be good for a woman to be in infantry is because of the TOM. If a woman was in the field and her TOM came, and there were no plugs/tampons/whatever, it can cause health issues. I never dared to argue it (at 19 ) as I would never now. There are men that cannot cut it, and there are woman that can cut it. I respect any decision anyone ever made as long as that decision doesn't get me killed....
  • MikeyD1280
    MikeyD1280 Posts: 5,257
    and I am straight.. and I could care less if my battle buddy was gay...
  • BigDave1050
    BigDave1050 Posts: 854 Member
    Back in 1999 the only reason that they gave why it would not be good for a woman to be in infantry is because of the TOM. If a woman was in the field and her TOM came, and there were no plugs/tampons/whatever


    I have to say that this is really no longer true. In the Corps, Every guy I new had Tampons! They make great bullet hole plugs in case you get shot! and as a Combat Vet I can tell you that Female Marines are already on the front line because the "Wars" we fight now don't have lines anymore!
  • My husband retired after 27 years of service and a lot has changed since he went in at age 18. I am totally for EQUAL pay and jobs in the military for women versus men. I also do not think women who get pregnant should be automatically taken out of their job placements...for example sea duty, seal teams et. Maybe limitied duty but Equal is Equal!!!! Women know what they sign up for and let them work. For me the military would never be for me! I love supporting my husband and his goals but my personality is totally different...I would die out to sea!!!!!! but again that is me, women know what they r joining. Let them do all the work equally
  • tashjs21
    tashjs21 Posts: 4,584 Member
    Who was Voldemort's best fighter? Bellatrix Lestrange. Ain't no one stopped to help that *****.

    Checkmate.

    I thought Voldemort lost.

    Yes, because he was a man.

    What was the gender of his snake, who killed like half of the characters?

    Female.

    Checkmate.

    :laugh:
  • MikeyD1280
    MikeyD1280 Posts: 5,257
    Back in 1999 the only reason that they gave why it would not be good for a woman to be in infantry is because of the TOM. If a woman was in the field and her TOM came, and there were no plugs/tampons/whatever


    I have to say that this is really no longer true. In the Corps, Every guy I new had Tampons! They make great bullet hole plugs in case you get shot! and as a Combat Vet I can tell you that Female Marines are already on the front line because the "Wars" we fight now don't have lines anymore!

    like I said.. never argued it. We had field dressings similiar to it...
  • Reinventing_Me
    Reinventing_Me Posts: 1,053 Member
    So I heard this morning on the radio that the US Military is now going to allow women on the front lines. I am all for the gender equality bit in business. For example, I do the same job as a guy but he gets paid considerably more isn't right. Equal pay for equal work is how I feel. But there are just certain things that we (women) are not and will not ever be able to be equal with men at on a regular basis. I also think that worse things will happen to a woman if she were ever captured than would a man. How do you feel about the new ruling?

    If you want equality, you can't pick and choose what you'd like to be equal in. If anyone joins the military, they should expect that they may have to put their lives on the line, no matter what color, religion, sexual orientation, or gender they happen to be.

    Agreed100%.
    I joined the Army during The Gulf War and received the same training the male soldiers received. I took the same oath and had to be just as prepared to fight if/when called upon.
  • BeachGingerOnTheRocks
    BeachGingerOnTheRocks Posts: 3,927 Member
    A decision to be made by the United States government and the HIGHLY trained persons who fight. Regardless of sex.

    People sitting at home typing away at a keyboard with pre-conceived notions on what men and women are capable of in a combat situation don't really have the qualifications to be making remarks.

    I think anyone who makes the decision to volunteer for the military deserves respect and to be honored. It is a tough job. And if a woman is qualified to do this tough job, then she should be allowed to do it without having someone check first to make sure her junk matches the stereotype.
  • AlsDonkBoxSquat
    AlsDonkBoxSquat Posts: 6,128 Member
    With the old stereotype of women being soft (which I really don't agree with) I can see why this may have been out there in the first place. I can also see it as a reproduction issue, women can still reproduce at the same rate with less men, but men can't reproduce at the same rate with less women. However, i think the population in general is grown to such an extent that I'm not worried about this. I think it's a great policy change and shows that even the old men's club can change their thinking.


    I'd also like to say that this is the worst grouping of sentences I have ever written. They fully abuse the English language and my my brain want to scream.
  • VorJoshigan
    VorJoshigan Posts: 1,106 Member
    I'm fully supportive of allowing women to any branch of service they may qualify for and be inclined to volunteer for, but I don't think there should be different standards for guys and chicks (besides the basic stuff like separate sleeping quarters and heads if possible). If a lady wants to G.I. Jane the seals more power to her, but she better meet the minimum physical requirements laid out for men, not some BS 1/2 the number of situps, knee pushups, and 2 minutes more time on the run or whatever.

    This.

    When I was in (90's) - females had "equivalent effort" standards. So, lower counts, longer times, things like "arm hangs" instead of pull-ups.

    So, assuming that the male standards all made sense (and I think they did) as long as the females we'd be putting in harm's way meet those same standards - then go for it. If we're planning on sticking to an "equivalent effort" type deal - we're probably sending people in who are not fully prepared for the whole job.
    This. There are plenty of women who could kick my *kitten*. Surely there are some who can meet these requirements.

    On a political perspective, maybe if we had women on the front lines, our worthless pusillanimous politicians would be less enthusiastic about getting us into wars of choice where there there is little to no US interest at stake. Nah - they'd probably just use more death drones.
  • RGv2
    RGv2 Posts: 5,789 Member
    Back in 1999 the only reason that they gave why it would not be good for a woman to be in infantry is because of the TOM. If a woman was in the field and her TOM came, and there were no plugs/tampons/whatever


    I have to say that this is really no longer true. In the Corps, Every guy I new had Tampons! They make great bullet hole plugs in case you get shot! and as a Combat Vet I can tell you that Female Marines are already on the front line because the "Wars" we fight now don't have lines anymore!

    You're both correct. The TOM reason was not becasue they didn't have tampons, but the scent that gives off. It is easily picked up by the enemy (mainly tracking/attack animals). But, for the most part the front lines are no longer "front lines" anymore. I pointed this out earlier.

    It had nothing to do with physical strength, which people here seem to be focused on.
  • geekyjock76
    geekyjock76 Posts: 2,720 Member
    Women serve on the front lines in Israel. So already your point is blown out of the water.

    A poli-sci teacher told me this in college:

    "In combat should you come across a woman and two men coming to get you.. kill the woman first. The men will stop to help her. In combat the woman will not stop to help the men. She will also kill you quicker and more viciously than the two men."

    NEVER underestimate a woman.
    Yep. The women in the IDF are pretty damn capable at their job, too.
  • 3dogsrunning
    3dogsrunning Posts: 27,167 Member
    Back in 1999 the only reason that they gave why it would not be good for a woman to be in infantry is because of the TOM. If a woman was in the field and her TOM came, and there were no plugs/tampons/whatever


    I have to say that this is really no longer true. In the Corps, Every guy I new had Tampons! They make great bullet hole plugs in case you get shot! and as a Combat Vet I can tell you that Female Marines are already on the front line because the "Wars" we fight now don't have lines anymore!

    You're both correct. The TOM reason was not becasue they didn't have tampons, but the scent that gives off. It is easily picked up by the enemy (mainly tracking/attack animals). But, for the most part the front lines are no longer "front lines" anymore. I pointed this out earlier.

    It had nothing to do with physical strength, which people here seem to be focused on.

    I've never heard or seen anything that suggests this in tracking animals. Would they smell it, of course. Would it be any more of a risk - not from anything I have learned or read.


    As for the OP - like someone else said, I'd really like to tell you what I think.


    As for "I'm all for equality but...." - that's not "all for equality ".

    ETA - and yes, I have experience with tracking dogs, as a female quarry, who has TOM.
  • usmcmp
    usmcmp Posts: 21,219 Member
    Back in 1999 the only reason that they gave why it would not be good for a woman to be in infantry is because of the TOM. If a woman was in the field and her TOM came, and there were no plugs/tampons/whatever


    I have to say that this is really no longer true. In the Corps, Every guy I new had Tampons! They make great bullet hole plugs in case you get shot! and as a Combat Vet I can tell you that Female Marines are already on the front line because the "Wars" we fight now don't have lines anymore!

    You're both correct. The TOM reason was not becasue they didn't have tampons, but the scent that gives off. It is easily picked up by the enemy (mainly tracking/attack animals). But, for the most part the front lines are no longer "front lines" anymore. I pointed this out earlier.

    It had nothing to do with physical strength, which people here seem to be focused on.

    Plenty of the female MP's who are deployed have a job that is physically demanding enough they didn't get their normal cycle the entire time. 7-13 months of no change in hormonal levels. Plenty of animals can track normal body odor scents which any human gives off. Can't stop yourself from being sweaty in 100 degrees wearing 40 pounds of gear.
  • RGv2
    RGv2 Posts: 5,789 Member
    Back in 1999 the only reason that they gave why it would not be good for a woman to be in infantry is because of the TOM. If a woman was in the field and her TOM came, and there were no plugs/tampons/whatever


    I have to say that this is really no longer true. In the Corps, Every guy I new had Tampons! They make great bullet hole plugs in case you get shot! and as a Combat Vet I can tell you that Female Marines are already on the front line because the "Wars" we fight now don't have lines anymore!

    You're both correct. The TOM reason was not becasue they didn't have tampons, but the scent that gives off. It is easily picked up by the enemy (mainly tracking/attack animals). But, for the most part the front lines are no longer "front lines" anymore. I pointed this out earlier.

    It had nothing to do with physical strength, which people here seem to be focused on.

    I've never heard or seen anything that suggests this in tracking animals. Would they smell it, of course. Would it be any more of a risk - not from anything I have learned or read.


    As for the OP - like someone else said, I'd really like to tell you what I think.


    As for "I'm all for equality but...." - that's not "all for equality ".

    ETA - and yes, I have experience with tracking dogs, as a female, who has TOM.

    Back in the day when "the front lines" were actually the front lines, it would. A scent could easily give up a position then. Like I said, the front lines aren't the same anymore, and this info came from my cadre from West Point so take it for what it's worth.
  • RGv2
    RGv2 Posts: 5,789 Member
    Back in 1999 the only reason that they gave why it would not be good for a woman to be in infantry is because of the TOM. If a woman was in the field and her TOM came, and there were no plugs/tampons/whatever


    I have to say that this is really no longer true. In the Corps, Every guy I new had Tampons! They make great bullet hole plugs in case you get shot! and as a Combat Vet I can tell you that Female Marines are already on the front line because the "Wars" we fight now don't have lines anymore!

    You're both correct. The TOM reason was not becasue they didn't have tampons, but the scent that gives off. It is easily picked up by the enemy (mainly tracking/attack animals). But, for the most part the front lines are no longer "front lines" anymore. I pointed this out earlier.

    It had nothing to do with physical strength, which people here seem to be focused on.

    Plenty of the female MP's who are deployed have a job that is physically demanding enough they didn't get their normal cycle the entire time. 7-13 months of no change in hormonal levels. Plenty of animals can track normal body odor scents which any human gives off. Can't stop yourself from being sweaty in 100 degrees wearing 40 pounds of gear.

    That's fine and dandy. I'm not arguing with anyone, just providing info passed to me that one of the main reasons was the smell of well, raw blood, to the animals.
  • RGv2
    RGv2 Posts: 5,789 Member
    I'm just passing along the information given to me. Not arguing. I'm out. Same as any other thread, you don't hear what you like, so it must be wrong.
  • iulia_maddie
    iulia_maddie Posts: 2,780 Member
    Women serve on the front lines in Israel. So already your point is blown out of the water.

    A poli-sci teacher told me this in college:

    "In combat should you come across a woman and two men coming to get you.. kill the woman first. The men will stop to help her. In combat the woman will not stop to help the men. She will also kill you quicker and more viciously than the two men."

    NEVER underestimate a woman.
    I remember learning in history class that this was often given as a reason why women shouldn't be allowed on the front lines. Men were more likely to stop and help a woman rather than continue fighting, also seeing women dying brought the morale of the troops down more that seeing men get killed.
    Different treatment of male/female war prisoners was also brought up.
  • 3dogsrunning
    3dogsrunning Posts: 27,167 Member
    I'm just passing along the information given to me. Not arguing. I'm out. Same as any other thread, you don't hear what you like, so it must be wrong.

    As am I. I never said you were wrong, I specifically stated in my experience as I felt it was relevant.
    I understand you were likely told that, my point was questioning how accurate it really is.
  • usmcmp
    usmcmp Posts: 21,219 Member
    I'm just passing along the information given to me. Not arguing. I'm out. Same as any other thread, you don't hear what you like, so it must be wrong.

    That's fine that you are passing along what you've heard. We are providing counter points (which we have observed) to the hearsay that you passed on. Just because you don't like what you hear doesn't mean it's wrong.

    https://www.cia.gov/library/center-for-the-study-of-intelligence/kent-csi/vol5no2/html/v05i2a04p_0001.htm
  • pudadough
    pudadough Posts: 1,271 Member
    I'm just amused at all the men folk I know who are prattling on about how we'll have to register for selective service now like it's some kind of "in your face!" moment. As if we hadn't already pondered that. As if Israel hasn't been doing it for years. I'm like, Ok, and what's your point? Give me a pen and the papers! They get pretty mad when it doesn't make us tremble in fear and want to race ourselves back to the kitchen so we don't have to be "that kind of equal."

    As for whether I think women should be in combat now (with our current volunteer-only enlistment,) I think that discussion should be restricted to people who are actually in the military. They have skin in the game. As civilians, the rest of us don't, really.
  • chrishgt4
    chrishgt4 Posts: 1,222 Member
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Marine_Corps_Physical_Fitness_Test

    Different standards for men vs women.

    Equality = equality.

    I feel the same about all professions. If you can do the job, go for it, but no one should get a leg up because they are a specific gender. Positive discrimination is not positive...
  • usmcmp
    usmcmp Posts: 21,219 Member
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Marine_Corps_Physical_Fitness_Test

    Different standards for men vs women.

    Equality = equality.

    I feel the same about all professions. If you can do the job, go for it, but no one should get a leg up because they are a specific gender. Positive discrimination is not positive...

    I can do more pull ups than some men. I'm not a great runner and I still pass some men. Just because some women need different standards don't mean all do. Some women couldn't hack it outside the wire, same as some men. It's not an overall thing it is an individual.
  • PikaKnight
    PikaKnight Posts: 34,971 Member
    So I heard this morning on the radio that the US Military is now going to allow women on the front lines. I am all for the gender equality bit in business. For example, I do the same job as a guy but he gets paid considerably more isn't right. Equal pay for equal work is how I feel. But there are just certain things that we (women) are not and will not ever be able to be equal with men at on a regular basis. I also think that worse things will happen to a woman if she were ever captured than would a man. How do you feel about the new ruling?

    I say woot! Women who join the military (well, at least the ones I've known) don't join to get desk jobs or expect to be babied. They want the opportunity to prove themselves and I bet they would rise up to the challenge of heading to the front lines.
  • PikaKnight
    PikaKnight Posts: 34,971 Member
    I can do more pull ups than some men. I'm not a great runner and I still pass some men. Just because some women need different standards don't mean all do. Some women couldn't hack it outside the wire, same as some men. It's not an overall thing it is an individual.

    QFT
  • neandermagnon
    neandermagnon Posts: 7,436 Member
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Marine_Corps_Physical_Fitness_Test

    Different standards for men vs women.

    Equality = equality.

    I feel the same about all professions. If you can do the job, go for it, but no one should get a leg up because they are a specific gender. Positive discrimination is not positive...

    In the British army, as far as I'm aware, for women to be on the front line they have to meet the same standards as the men do. At least thats how it was when they first let women go on the front line, i.e. yes women can but only if they meet the same standards as for men. I don't know if that has changed now (I don't have up to date information)
  • ArroganceInStep
    ArroganceInStep Posts: 6,239 Member
    I can do more pull ups than some men. I'm not a great runner and I still pass some men. Just because some women need different standards don't mean all do. Some women couldn't hack it outside the wire, same as some men. It's not an overall thing it is an individual.

    The point I was trying to make is that baseline standards for things like various groups in the military and such should not be differentiated by gender. It was not an implication that women couldn't do it, but rather that in many cases (police, fire department, FBI, CIA, and iirc boot camp for the various branches) the minimum standards set are different between guys and gals and that I think that distinction was wrong.
    I'm just amused at all the men folk I know who are prattling on about how we'll have to register for selective service now like it's some kind of "in your face!" moment. As if we hadn't already pondered that. As if Israel hasn't been doing it for years. I'm like, Ok, and what's your point? Give me a pen and the papers! They get pretty mad when it doesn't make us tremble in fear and want to race ourselves back to the kitchen so we don't have to be "that kind of equal."

    As for whether I think women should be in combat now (with our current volunteer-only enlistment,) I think that discussion should be restricted to people who are actually in the military. They have skin in the game. As civilians, the rest of us don't, really.
    Some people are like that, but certainly not all folks. I do think women should be required to sign up for the draft, and as long as they are not men have more skin in the game than women do. While you're right that experts in the field should be given more weight than a random civilian on a computer, something like the draft is a perfectly valid discussion point for all citizens. Further discussions of inequality--as is currently the case being discussed between women being disallowed from certain posts/pay scales and gender bias in some assessments--is more of a moral issue and should be debated by all. My thought on it, anyway.
  • erinsueburns
    erinsueburns Posts: 865 Member
    Good lord, someone is trotting out the whole menstruation thing.

    A) So men never bleed on the battlefield????

    B) This is the same thing men on my dad's hunting lease tried to claim "She can't come out, if she's on her period the deer will smell it and be scared away." or "The boar will smell it and attack her."

    Let me just tell you, I peed all around that man's deer stand while menstruating and the boars didn't attack him, nor did it seem to scare off the deer any worse than putting human hair around it.

    Also, there isn't anything to stop a woman from peeing standing up, or into a bottle except a willingness to practice. The difficulty is writing your name in the snow. That requires a degree of speed and flexibility not often seen in any normal human female.
  • digitalbill
    digitalbill Posts: 1,410 Member
    I served from 1990 - 1006 and we had this discussion several times.
    I have served with males and females and, with both sexes, there are those who I would be comfortable with in battle and there are those who I would rather leave behind.

    One SSG I served with would complain that she was not allowed to go to Ranger school.
    We agreed however that she would be unable to pass the school with the same standards as her male Rangers had to do.
    She was a FANTASTIC shot (better then me) and she had no problems in the field as far as map reading, ambush setups, or leadership skills but in the end, she lacked the physical stregth needed to accomplish particular needs.
    I was 220 LBS and, loaded with gear, closer to 270.
    She could not physically drag me to safety if I needed it.
    As I said, she was a fantastic shot and I would gladly have her provide cover fire if needed but, there are simply times where physical power IS needed.
    Now, as far as pilots, tank crew, and things like that, I am not seeing a problem whatsoever.
    As many others have mentioned, the "front lines" have changed so, even a cook in a convoy could find herself in the middle of a firefight.
  • lovelyMYlovely
    lovelyMYlovely Posts: 1,066 Member
    well obviously it was the womans choice to be on front lines.... YES obviously woman would get tortured and beat and abused WAY more than a man...... but its not really our choice it was the woman in combat who fought for this right.... every woman knew what they were signing up for when they joined.... so its not really our say....... its theirs....