Marine women challenge combat limits ahead of Pentagon decision! Are the Marines leading the way?

2015-07-25T14:50:19-04:00

Marine women challenge combat limits ahead of Pentagon decision!

http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2015/jul/25/marine-women-staff-ground-combat-units/

Are the Marines leading the way in allowing Women into Combat by opening nearly 6,000 supporting positions in ground combat units?

RP Members (all service branches) have we done enough in the other branches to move women forward into combat type positions?

Marine women challenge combat limits

The San Diego Union-Tribune recently spoke to six women serving in three ground combat units at Camp Pendleton and Twentynine Palms, as well as men who work with them. Aside from some cold shoulders, initial wariness and the awkward introduction of a breast milk pump to the office, the consensus was that the transition from male bastion to mixed-gender force has been smooth.

Response by LTC John Shaw made Jul 25 at 2015 2:57 PM

2015-07-25T14:57:52-04:00

COL Mikel J. Burroughs Marine FET were awesome in Afghanistan. All the services can do more to integrate women into combat roles. Signal and Logistics have had females for a long time and I don't view any difference when working with male/female in duty role.
We need to establish common physical standards for the job role and hold all personnel male/female to the same standards and get past the force integrated.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Jul 25 at 2015 3:11 PM

2015-07-25T15:11:17-04:00

I'm proud of my service's combat focus. We have approached this issue in a very factual way. We've assigned a major project with careful composition and detailed analytics to assess relative changes in combat power based on density of female Marines in frontline units. The reports on this experiment are still forthcoming. We have opened our infantry schools to all female Marine volunteers for assessment and held them to the same standard. We /usually/ do pretty well at making decisions based on our combat focus.

Response by LCpl Sheryl Anderson made Jul 25 at 2015 3:52 PM

2015-07-25T15:52:52-04:00

When I was stationed at cherry point NC, there were only a few of us in our unit. So needless to say I was volunteered for everything. I was the first SERE school WM. I captured two of the marines that were training and they laughed at me. Which was the wrong thing to do. They paid for it once we got them in their boxes that night. Lol.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 25 at 2015 7:34 PM

2015-07-25T19:34:28-04:00

I have worked with FETs...I had no problems with them. I have worked with Females in my last unit that would no doubt compete (and did, albeit unsuccessfully in the Pre-Ranger Program). I finally work with a Female on a day to day basis for the first time in over a decade. I have nothing against serving with Females. I have had some as good friends.
HOWEVER, when I was sent the questionnaire about allowing females into the Armor community, I had to voice my opinion that it was not a good idea. One of the questions was "Do you think that females as a whole can do the physical part of the job." I had to say NO. Then there was a follow up question, "Do you think most men can do the physical part of your job." The answer was a resounding NO. Hell, I do not even know if I can do it most of the time the older I get.
This brings me to my next part of my ramble. You cannot have one or two that are qualified and then open these rigorous MOS's to ALL women based on it. It simply is not feasible.
The other question I have, is WHY do they want into these MOS's? When you get four dudes into a tank for an extended period of time, it is a nasty, nasty environment. Suddenly females want to emplace themselves into that? Infantry is NOT a place for INFANTRY, yet suddenly women want to be involved in this? When we would go to the field for weeks at a time, it was not pleasant. I just do not understand.
I DO understand that there are some. I TOTALLY respect the FET that already exist. As I mentioned, I know of one or two that would no doubt go forth and hand out the same death and destruction as me and my guys without batting an eye. However, will there be enough to go around? If not, do they REALLY want to be out in the field for weeks if not a YEAR at a time with those same nasty grunts, tankers, or whoever else you can think of? I am not trying to take anything away from their accomplishments, or say that they are not worthy of the chance. I just do not see WHY they want to put themselves in that position.

Response by Capt Michael Halpin made Jul 25 at 2015 11:18 PM

2015-07-25T23:18:31-04:00

While women in the infantry is politically correct these days, it would be one of the worse mistakes ever. We are talking about 1% of all women in the Marines and Army and the impact on the esprit de corps and the combat effectiveness. Extended infantry operations by women doesn't work. It's already been proven by the Marines.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Jul 26 at 2015 1:09 AM

2015-07-26T01:09:10-04:00

Hooah!!! or Ooorah! COL Mikel J. Burroughs. Yes they are... the Army has yet to have women go thru Infantry, Armor, or FA OST or BOLC... that is where the tests should be, not Ranger School.

Response by PO1 Glenn Boucher made Dec 10 at 2015 2:36 PM

2015-12-10T14:36:58-05:00

One thing I can always say for the Marines is that when given their marching orders to do something they do it 110% and although I have never been in combat I have worked with Marines over my years of service in the Navy. I never saw Marines accept anything but success from Marines or those they were training regardless of service.

Response by SSG Leo Bell made Dec 12 at 2015 9:31 AM

2015-12-12T09:31:07-05:00

I can't say yes or no I just know time will tell and they will only get it right by trail and error. Let's hope it doesn't take someone's like getting to prove this point.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Dec 13 at 2015 12:09 AM

2015-12-13T00:09:37-05:00

All Transitions are a Challenge. As far as Marines, The most Pull Ups I've ever seen done were by a Female Marine CT. I think I would let her do anything she wanted. Some of the Toughest Sailors I've seen were the Ladies. Queen of Onry was RADM Grace Hopper. ADM Grace is one I wouldn't stand in the way of.

Response by LCpl Michael Easter made Dec 14 at 2015 7:05 PM

2015-12-14T19:05:20-05:00

I am for letting the Females do whatever they want to do. But if the physical standards for females are enough to merit combat roles, then the Marine Corps is actually admitting that the male standards are too high. Is the Marine Corps willing to raise the female standards, and if not, that is fine with me, but is the Corps then willing to lower the male physical standards? To keep them different for men and women who are expected to fill the same roles is grossly hypocritical.