Posted on Aug 19, 2015
Seriously? Do we really think women are just now on the verge of entering combat roles?
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I saw this post on Face Book, a post from a West Point Soldier I served with (I asked her if I could share this). It is timely, as for some reason many believe women are not already serving in direct combat; they are, and in fact have been for years. This quote is about 1LT Laura Walker, but remember as you wring your hands about women in combat roles... women are a part of our military, and have been answering the call for centuries. When I joined the Army in 1980, the Fort McClellan CG was a female 2 Star General, MG Mary Clarke. I believe all women want, is the opportunity to serve, and to try for whatever they want. Not special treatment, or reduced standards, but the opportunity.
"10 years ago today, 18 August 2005, 1LT Laura Walker was killed in action in Afghanistan. Since the sun came up this morning, I must've sat down 4 different times at my computer, fingers motionless on the keyboard struggling to find the words that I wanted to share today to honor my fallen friend and classmate. With a few hours left in the day, I finally decided to be honest and share that I don't know what to write. I only know that I miss Laura and today was hard. Her family is in my thoughts and prayers. I also know that I was blessed to call Laura a friend; she was a beautiful human being and one of the finest leaders I've known.
Ten years and you still continue to inspire me. Thank you for your friendship, for your service, and for your sacrifice. Well done. Be thou at peace."
http://www.cmrlink.org/content/home/35891/grim_toll_of_military_women_killed_in_war
"10 years ago today, 18 August 2005, 1LT Laura Walker was killed in action in Afghanistan. Since the sun came up this morning, I must've sat down 4 different times at my computer, fingers motionless on the keyboard struggling to find the words that I wanted to share today to honor my fallen friend and classmate. With a few hours left in the day, I finally decided to be honest and share that I don't know what to write. I only know that I miss Laura and today was hard. Her family is in my thoughts and prayers. I also know that I was blessed to call Laura a friend; she was a beautiful human being and one of the finest leaders I've known.
Ten years and you still continue to inspire me. Thank you for your friendship, for your service, and for your sacrifice. Well done. Be thou at peace."
http://www.cmrlink.org/content/home/35891/grim_toll_of_military_women_killed_in_war
Posted in these groups: 
Women in the Military
Fallen Soldiers
Women in the Military Fallen Soldiers
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 52
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Thanks for sharing COL Charles Williams. I hope your friend can find some comfort in knowing her friend died doing what she loved to do. RIP 1LT Laura Walker.
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Thank you for sharing this. It is vital that everyone understand that Women In the Military are just as combat ready as anyone. Women have served in combat since the battle against England for our Independence. I would follow and serve next to a woman in Combat. Some of the women I have known in the Military put some men to tears. So never underestimate anyone in combat.
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Id like to know, of the ladies who ever pass any Combat Arms training, if they will actually perform related tasks, or want to, or if they are just those types seeking something like a Ranger Tab for the bonus promotion points, which I find a waste of the resources to train them.
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I agree with you Col. Williams, women have been in combat situations for some time. In the Air Force women have been in harms way for some time. More so then not when the Security Forces career field was intergrated and women were allowed to enlist within Security Forces, outside of the law enforcement speciality. As a result of this women in security forces have been in every conflict since Granada and Panama. Additionally, women have paid the ultimate price in Security Forces When AIC Elizabeth Jacobson was killed in a convoy when her vehicle was hit by a IED in 2005. She will never be forgotten.
Women have and always will pay a role in combat and people just need to get use to it.
Women have and always will pay a role in combat and people just need to get use to it.
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COL Charles Williams, my heart goes out to you, Sir. There is a person on this list that my brother was close to and had to bring home to her parents. There are no words to express the deep felt sympathy for such painful loss of life. Thank you for sharing something so personal.
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There is a difference between accidental contact versus deliberate contact.
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COL Charles Williams
Yes, there is. And women, at least in my branch, have been involved in deliberate action as well as reacting to contact.
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SPC (Join to see)
COL Charles Williams - I was not aware that deliberate movement to contact was a primary mission of Military Police. I always thought it was a secondary risk as a result of their role as a security force providing force protection.
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COL Charles Williams
SPC (Join to see) - Most people have no idea what MPs in combat, and that is OK. They see them patrolling their posts (a small portion of MP tasks), or FOBs, but have no idea squads patrol independently to indirect the enemy (area security or wide area security) and respond as needed to support and reinforce anyone in their areas of operation. While never the main effort, MPs have significant mobility, protection, firepower, and communications. But, as a support branch, we know what we provide, we know we are needed, and we just do what do.
Now, in a traditional sense, a "movement to contact" is not a squad or platoon mission, nor is it a MP mission. So, in your words, much of what we (they) do is chance contact (accidental). Route reconnaissance, area recon, wide area security, hasty and deliberate attack, delay, and a battle handoff are all MP tasks.
Now, in a traditional sense, a "movement to contact" is not a squad or platoon mission, nor is it a MP mission. So, in your words, much of what we (they) do is chance contact (accidental). Route reconnaissance, area recon, wide area security, hasty and deliberate attack, delay, and a battle handoff are all MP tasks.
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SPC (Join to see)
This is interesting, rarely do I get to see a point of view based on doctrine and I have always been a believer that "words matter". Admittedly, by MTOE, an MP company has more maneuver capability and firepower than a light infantry company outside of the Delta companies (Anti-tank). I think we both agree that combat is an inherently risky venture regardless of sex. I just don't know if it is a strong enough argument for the complete blanket integration that is happening.
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We should study Kurdish women fighters, but I have little faith we will do so.
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