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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I agree with you that it is hard to put down my words on how I feel and what I understand about this subject. It creates more questions than answer for myself to look at. Like what today is construed as combat? Is it direct action where you have direct and indirect contact with the enemy on a daily basis with it being your job or is it any contact with the enemy? Is being hit by an IED combat or is it wrong place and wrong time? How far down does this go? I remember when infantry (Grunt) was the only true combat MOS everything else was support where you may get shot at or hit a booby trap? I don't know, does anyone else?
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I'm glad the US Military is let women finally fight on front lines! I begged to do it back in 2001, but I follow Frejya and was called to combat as shieldmaiden. Women have been helping and in combat itself for well since fighting began we can hack it.
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#97 on your list is my wife's cousin Spc. Faith R. Hinkley, 23, RPG attack on unit in Iraq, Aug. 7, 2010.
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Sir, thank you for sharing. I believe it's an individual's choice to serve regardless of gender. when you deploy, you're in combat and the other side isn't going to care whether you're combat arms or support. Obviously don't lower the standards, but if a woman wants to be combat arms and can meet existing male standards let her have the chance. Thank you for sharing the list.
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I believe it is time to be honest with ourselves. However, we need to break down all the inequalities present as well.
-Different PT scales
-Different Living arrangements
-Different latrines
-Different hygiene areas
-Different clothing...
This is just to name a few instances. I believe everyone sees my point. We need to stop picking and choosing what is inequality and what isn't when, true inequality is hitting us in the face every day, just like keeping women from combat roles. Every Soldier is a Soldier in my opinion (translate to your branch if you wish), and should be treated as such, same standard, same treatment (when they excel and when they fail). We get told constantly how different we have to be treated by items like above. When will our actions speak as loud as our words?
I am all for complete integration, no caveats.
-Different PT scales
-Different Living arrangements
-Different latrines
-Different hygiene areas
-Different clothing...
This is just to name a few instances. I believe everyone sees my point. We need to stop picking and choosing what is inequality and what isn't when, true inequality is hitting us in the face every day, just like keeping women from combat roles. Every Soldier is a Soldier in my opinion (translate to your branch if you wish), and should be treated as such, same standard, same treatment (when they excel and when they fail). We get told constantly how different we have to be treated by items like above. When will our actions speak as loud as our words?
I am all for complete integration, no caveats.
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SSgt Gerry Martin
Some were broken down many years ago, yet some still exist surprisingly. I was stationed in an all male squadron by mistake. The commander decided I should stay and see how it worked out. There were no female latrines. We all shared. I drove a deuce and a half just like the guys, and rolled cable right next to them. I slept in a tent just like they did. This was in 1970. There was never a problem.
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SFC (Join to see)
SSgt Gerry Martin - I know it can be done, we just don't do it is my issue. We're a close family in my unit, professionalism is key to this, I just think we all need to fix it.
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COL Charles Williams
SFC (Join to see) I believe... have believed, by years end all MOS/Units will be open to women, and we will shift to a job based, MOS based, school based (gender immaterial) physical fitness standard. As the CNO stated, women will be allowed to be SEALs so long as they meet THE Standard.
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Suspended Profile
May her memory never fade.
As to women in combat:
Doesn't matter what we think.
We are soldiers.
We will do what our bosses tell us to do.
As to women in combat:
Doesn't matter what we think.
We are soldiers.
We will do what our bosses tell us to do.
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Great post, and beautiful thoughts and eloquent words shared for an USMA classmate.
It is absolutely true that women can, do and have been serving in combat. The question to me isnt can women serve in combat, as we all know a "rear echelon" soldier doesnt truly exist. The fight is wherever the enemy meets you and that isnt always at the infantry leaders decision. However, the question facing the services isnt should women be in combat it is, should we open all MOS's to women. To that I say absolutely. I have served with and for some amazing leaders that happened to be women. If, however you ask me if we should lower the standards to ensure women make it through training my answer is unequivocally, NO. Lowering the standards is exactly what is being asked of the Army and Marine Corps at this time. The Marine Corps conducted a year long trial of women attending Infantry Officers Course, and not one made it through. I am a graduate of Infantry Officers Course, and it is a tough, challenging, thought provoking school. More than half of my male counterparts did not make it through my class alone. That standard is set that high in order to ensure we have physically and mentally qualified people leading our troops in an MOS that we KNOW will be in contact with the enemy. I am a firm believer that there are smarter, stronger, faster, better equipped leaders out there that are females and I encourage them to go through the qualification processes and schools and take on any MOS, but in doing so meet the standards that are set, the same standards that have helped this nation forge the greatest military the world has ever seen.
Men and women are physiologically different, no amount of regulation or policy changes will make that untrue. Accept and embrace those differences, that is what makes us such a powerful nation. Overlooking those differences and changing standards wont make us more effective or more efficient when we need to be most effective.
SF
It is absolutely true that women can, do and have been serving in combat. The question to me isnt can women serve in combat, as we all know a "rear echelon" soldier doesnt truly exist. The fight is wherever the enemy meets you and that isnt always at the infantry leaders decision. However, the question facing the services isnt should women be in combat it is, should we open all MOS's to women. To that I say absolutely. I have served with and for some amazing leaders that happened to be women. If, however you ask me if we should lower the standards to ensure women make it through training my answer is unequivocally, NO. Lowering the standards is exactly what is being asked of the Army and Marine Corps at this time. The Marine Corps conducted a year long trial of women attending Infantry Officers Course, and not one made it through. I am a graduate of Infantry Officers Course, and it is a tough, challenging, thought provoking school. More than half of my male counterparts did not make it through my class alone. That standard is set that high in order to ensure we have physically and mentally qualified people leading our troops in an MOS that we KNOW will be in contact with the enemy. I am a firm believer that there are smarter, stronger, faster, better equipped leaders out there that are females and I encourage them to go through the qualification processes and schools and take on any MOS, but in doing so meet the standards that are set, the same standards that have helped this nation forge the greatest military the world has ever seen.
Men and women are physiologically different, no amount of regulation or policy changes will make that untrue. Accept and embrace those differences, that is what makes us such a powerful nation. Overlooking those differences and changing standards wont make us more effective or more efficient when we need to be most effective.
SF
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