Women In Combat..... Nah

The optics may be awesome, you know, a steely-eyed, comely lass with a M-4 slung over one shoulder, her hip thrust aggressively forward and a smoldering look on her face. Yowssir!

But when the Marines take the concept out for a test drive, the results aren't so awesome.

In September 2015 the Marine Corps released a study comparing the performance of gender-integrated and male-only infantry units in simulated combat. The all-male teams greatly outperformed the integrated teams, whether on shooting, surmounting obstacles or evacuating casualties. Female Marines were injured at more than six times the rate of men during preliminary training—unsurprising, since men’s higher testosterone levels produce stronger bones and muscles. Even the fittest women (which the study participants were) must work at maximal physical capacity when carrying a 100-pound pack or repeatedly loading heavy shells into a cannon.

Let's be clear, I have a daughter who was in the Army for eight years, had two deployments to Afghanistan and will be deployed again through her National Guard unit. I am so proud of her and I wouldn't change a thing. She does her absolute best and is an excellent soldier. But she is in SIGINT.

There is a definite need for qualified soldiers, Marines, sailors and airmen regardless of race or sex. There are many, many support positions that must be filled in order to kept our warriors prepared. But combat is another story. There are physical limitations that must be recognized and addressed without any fault or failing implied due to gender.