Tested in Battle Putting women in combat isn’t a dangerous “experiment” anymore. It’s a success.

[RetroGamer1971]

Today, as DOD moves to rescind that rule, defenders of the 1994 policy are sounding the same alarm. “Our military cannot continue to choose social experimentation and political correctness over combat readiness,” says Penny Nance, president of Concerned Women for America. “This kind of a social experiment is a dangerous one,” says Elaine Donnelly, president of the Center for Military Readiness. "The people making this decision are doing so as part of another social experiment,” says retired Lt. Gen. Jerry Boykin, executive vice president of the Family Research Council. “Is the social experiment worth placing this burden on small unit leaders? I think not.”
But this time, the scare campaign isn’t working. House Speaker John Boehner and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell are lying low. Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, and other Republicans who set the party’s tone on defense issues are endorsing DOD’s decision. Why?

Because the women-in-combat experiment has already happened. It was conducted in Afghanistan and Iraq by the administration of President George W. Bush. And it worked.

Today, women comprise about 15 percent of the active-duty military. More than 20,000 have served in Iraq and Afghanistan. More than 800 have been wounded, and more than 150 have died. Insurgents and roadside bombs didn’t care whether these women were officially in combat roles: They killed them all the same. As Iraq War veteran Kayla Williams explains in Slate, the reality of war overwhelmed the Pentagon’s attempts to segregate female service members. Women fought, died, and were mourned, just like men. No cultural crisis ensued.
http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/human_nature/2013/01/women_in_combat_aren_t_an_experiment_anymore_they_re_a_success.html#

[tavalon]

1. I don't want anyone in combat unless in defense of our country

and that hasn't happened since, well, the American Revolution. That said, I think if we are going to have a standing military, there is nothing that should be kept from women. Including signing up for selective service, which, come to think of it, I don't want anyone, male or female to be required to do. So, as you can see, I'm conflicted.

Now, if we implemented a mandatory 2 year service (not necessarily military service, but some sort of service to country) I would be incensed if women were not included. But I would be equally incensed if rich kids of any gender were exempt in that case.

[kentuck]

2. Strange definition of "success"...

We have a female Senator with no legs and mothers that cannot care for their children. Let's not call them victims - let's call them heroes.

[Demo_Chris]

3. Mangled teen girls is not a victory

I get it. I really do. You have won a massive victory in the internet troll talking-point war. Now misogynists can no longer throw that combat thing in your face when they post their "get back in the kitchen" pics.

Well done.

In the meantime, since we are apparently running out of young male bodies to feed to the grinder, we have a new source of meat, so it's like a win-win for everyone. Except for that girl with no legs, the one in the wheelchair by the onramp with the "Homeless vet" sign, the one trading blowjobs for food and hoping she doesn't get raped again tonight. It probably wasn't much of a victory for her. It probably wasn't a victory for the teen girl who came home with her breasts blown the fuck off either. Or the one with the melted face -- she might be singing "I am woman hear me roar," but it sounds more like sobbing from here. We'll send them off to combat, but lord knows we won't take care of them when they return. And it's not like this is a society that judges women based on their appearance. There's all kinds of boyfriends and employers out there looking to put Miss Scarface into their lives. Right?

Anyway, I could write about this for the next hour, but the people who need to listen wont read it, so I will just say this:

You won nothing. You are still women. The men who look down upon you for being woman will continue to do so. Only now we will have more dead girls and more dead boys. Next time, instead of fighting for war and violence, fight against it. Fight for that Violence Against Women act that the GOP killed instead. Or do you oppose that?

Anyway, congrats on your big win. For me, well, it just makes me feel sick.