The Marines’ last stand

We're looking at an opinion piece which is just as vitriolic as the one that it is lambasting.

When it really boils down to it, the facts are clear.

1) "To make rules for the government and regulation of the land and naval forces" (Art 1, Section 3, Clause 14 "Military Regulations Clause") - This is a Legislative (Congressional) Power. It's as simple as that. They can decide everyone is going to wear purple, and we can bitch about it but we'll wear purple. It doesn't matter whether it is a Progressive or Conservative Congress. We play by their rules, not ours. They set policy.

2) They've delegated some of this to the SecDef and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Unfortunately, we've got a "conflict" going on here. Outgoing Army, incoming Marine. Army is opening all fields, Marines wants exclusion on Infantry (not others). Marines have given a well reasoned justification as to why they are different than Army, without "throwing Army under the bus." Basically boiling down to "ALL light Infantry" vs "31 flavors of Infantry (with logistical support)."

3) Hard data. Peer reviewed Hard Data. Yes, there are nay-sayers. But it's really hard to argue with a year long study which was built around the concept of "How do we make this work?" Ignoring all the emotional responses from both sides. All the preconceived bias from both sides, the data is solid. And there is nothing comparable to refute it. Any historical data from other forces actually support it, and are included.

4) The study supports the Marine Corps Philosophy of Leadership. Opening 03xx would result in a DECREASE in Troop Welfare (higher injuries), and a DECREASE in Mission Accomplishment (loss of Efficiency).

5) It won't do anything anyways. USMC has 7% women. The "estimate" of women that would choose Infantry, pass the school, and not be injured during training, and make it to career progression would be insignificant. Canada has been integrated for 25 years. They have a .5% Women in Infantry rate. We'd be talking 3-4 (03xx) women per BN. The study estimated 2 in a Platoon would be a "high" level, whereas most would have 0, and some would have 1.

In reality, we're getting worked up about nothing.

Easy answer.  Take Pvt. J(ames) Smith, 6'3" 210 lbs. and Pvt. J(ennifer) Smith 5'3" 110 lbs.

Make them both 0331 Machine gunners.

Walt

"This is what happens when policy is being dictated by radicals whose idea of combat is elbowing for a place in line at the Bloomingdale’s’ lunch counter. This is what happens when the military’s leaders are gutless moral cowards."

Exactly.