Women in Combat

Imagine, as a male, in frontline combat with a female on one side of you, another male on the other side of you. Who would you trust most? A majority of people would trust the male over the female because of a male’s strength and endurance, and that is the trouble. Although it is proven that most women are physically weaker than men and have forty pounds less muscle mass and thirteen pounds more fat than men, it does not mean they are not as brave, experienced, dedicated, or skillful as men in the litany.

Rosemary Skeins, author of Women at War: Gender Issues of Americans in Combat said, “It is more important to have superior technical skills, intelligence, and training [in the military than physical strength]”. Women may not be as athletic or strong as men, but they are capable of having as much or more experience and skill than the men fighting in frontline combat. The topic of whether or not women should be allowed in combat is very subjective. Some people believe that since most women are not as physically strong, they do not belong in combat.

However, I think it is much more important to be mentally tough, brave, smart and aware of your surroundings. There has been no defined frontline in the current wars on terror; men and women in uniform have been exposed to the enemy almost everywhere under multiple circumstances, whether they are on a combat mission or within the security of their base. For example, an enemy can launch rockets at a base with the hope that they’ll impact somewhere Inside the base where they will destroy equipment or Injure people.

In the case of people working Inside the base any one of them at any time could be a victim of these attacks. Additionally, most people think frontline combat Is just on land, face-to-face. A lot of Intense combat also takes place In the sky, being shot at while In bombers or Jets, which Is equally as dangerous as being on land. Likewise, technology has narrowed the gap between men and women In combat, making combat less about physical strength, and more about mental and physical skill and agility.

Being the pilot of a fighter Jet, helicopter, or bomber does not require he physical strength It once did years ago, but Instead requires experience, skill, and courage. As long as a woman can meet the same Romulus standards that a man must meet to serve In combat, then she should be allowed to do so. Women in Combat By gammas than the men fighting in frontline combat. The topic of whether or not women should impact somewhere inside the base where they will destroy equipment or injure people. In the case of people working inside the base any one of them at any time could be a victim of these attacks.

Additionally, most people think frontline combat is just on land, face-to-face. A lot of intense combat also takes place in the sky, being shot at while in bombers or Jets, which is equally as dangerous as being on land. Likewise, technology has narrowed the gap between men and women in combat, the physical strength it once did years ago, but instead requires experience, skill, and courage. As long as a woman can meet the same minimum standards that a man must meet to serve in combat, then she should be allowed to do so.

Women In Combat “From Kelly Flinn to G. I. Jane, controversy has raged in recent months over whether women are fit for military service” (Brown 326). In the articles “Women Unfit for Combat? Au Contraire! ” and “Women are not a Warrior Class,” both authors convey their thoughts on women in combat. Both authors give many reasons why or why not women should be allowed to fight in combat. Timothy Brown, the author of “Women Unfit for Combat? Au Contraire! gives many more strong examples to argue his case than the author of “Women are not a Warrior Class” and, consequently, has a more persuasive essay. In an effort to discourage women from considering combat rolls in the military, Paul Hackett, one of the authors of “Women are not a Warrior Class,” made this bold statement in his argument, “Can women master the skills and strategies of combat as well as men? Yes. Can women mentally endure the rigors of combat as well as men? Yes. Can women meet the physical rigors of combat at the level required by the U. S. orces and in particular the U. S. Marine Corps? Absolutely not! ” Is it fair to assume that women are incapable of having the stability to fight in combat? Brown uses the women commandos of Nicaragua who fought for their country to argue his point that if given the opportunity and encouragement, American women could effectively perform well in combat. Since the beginning of time, women have been viewed as the weaker sex. Through the years, the stature of women in society has grown, leading a way for women to become not the male’s possession but his equal.

This is not true all the time, especially when dealing with women in combat. James Collins another author of “Women Unfit for Combat” argues that when women are put in life threatening conditions, many of them would rise to the challenge, but he doesn’t believe that women should be allowed to be on the front line in combat. As Brown explains, anyone who wants to fight on the front line for his/her country should be able to, regardless of sex. Women have proved themselves to be fully capable in doing most jobs a man can do.

It’s not an issue of who is better. “In terms of the demands of infantry warfare, women have proved themselves capable of fighting under even the most arduous of conditions” (Brown 327). According to Elizabeth Cady Stanton, “all men and women are created equal” (WIC). Brown supports this statement made by Stanton by using personal experiences of women such as Angelica Maria. “A legend among her male peers, Angelica Maria then continued as commander of her almost all-male platoon until, wounded in ombat for a seventh time, she was forced to seek medical attention” (Brown 326). Hackett on the other hand says “The marine Corps grunts are the Olympic gold medallists when it comes to combat. If for the sake of diversity and political correctness we want to include a women in combat, then consider the cost of that decision: the silver medal in combat is defeat” (Hackett 329). The reality that Hackett can actually believe that a woman in combat would lead to defeat is absurd and degrading to the entire female population.

As Brown believes, women should be able to fight for their country, without being demoralized while doing so. Not only does Timothy Brown convince his readers that woman in combat is more than just about women’s rights and morals. He convinces his readers that women in combat are about the ability to make dreams come true is what really matters. By doing so, he is paving the way for many other men and women to speak their mind on this very important issue and also helping women progress in the field of combat.

Bibliography Work Cited Brown, Timothy C. “Women Unfit for Combat? Au Contraire,” The Structure of Argument. 1994. Bedford/St. Martin’s Collins, James, Paul L. Hackett, Bill Norton. “Women are not a Warrior Class,” The Structure of Argument. 1994. Bedford/St. Martin’s The New American Desk Encyclopedia Penguin Group, New York, 1998 Women’s History in America Presented by Women’s International Center (WIC) www. wic. org/misc/history. htm Word Count: 638