[Vision2020] women in authority and leadership

[Matt Decker]

For those of you that feel women should be put into combat situations, 
mainly infantry orientated units let me give you my side. And please 
withhold from calling me a sexist, if you must call me anything, call me a 
realist. These points below are the ONLY points I stand on and nothing more.

1. Most women can't handle a infantry payload. Some can and more power to 
them, but majority can't. Not saying that I'm basing my opinion on this 
principle, but it does serve an ideal. EX. When I was in, we had many 
ops/humps that consisted of a 20+ mile hike/hump with a 40+ pound pack on 
our backs, not including the weapons and gear, another 30 pounds. Many of 
men didn't make it. Dehydration, broken bones, etc. One mission was a one 
week operation with vector packs. We did this mission for future potential 
Korea conflicts. In other words mountianous area of 7000 ft plus. Our packs 
had 100 pounds not including the 30 ponds of water, ammo, and other such 
items. Like I said If a women can do this more power to her.

This is the weakest points of my arguement

2. There was a common phrase in the marines, more like a joke, in which I 
saw true too many times.When is the only time you see a WM(women Marine) not 
pregnant,,,,,,,,,,,, in boot camp(being that Marines males and females are 
seperated during that phase). In a infantry unit 40-45 men will go into 
combat. Each time someone falls out of position or has a medical problem, 
another has to either fill that spot or most likely create a void. Taking 
away from the unit. This can greatly increase the chance that another unit 
unit member will get injured or killed.

Let's say that a unit consists of 45 people 35 of those are male, I will 
promise you that 6 of those will be pregnant within six months. With a bunch 
of horny males jerking off too sears catalogs, what else would you suspect. 
This loss ONLY hurts the whole unit, taking away from the time the military 
has put forth in training these fine women. I don't know about all of you, 
but if I'm going to combat I would rather have a full force than one that 
has been depleted due to a curable cause.

3. Fratinization (spelling, Yup I know I will never win a spelling bee but 
what the hell),  has destroyed units. I have seen way too many times women 
humping upper ranks to get their goals met, what ever that be. Meaning that 
someone, yet again has to fill a void of a now vacant spot. Whether that be 
the first person through the door or a tow gunner, since now they are a desk 
jockey. Believe it or not people this happens everyday. There is no need for 
it in a combat situation. This only causes animosity throughout the whole 
unit, which I might remind you is one of the goals,the unit.

4. Of course there are other items such as women serving in a infantry 
situation, in a middle east area. Or the possible outcome of beheaded women 
displayed all over the news.

These items are dear to me. Only because Ive seen some of them too often. 
I've never been in combat, and commend those that have sacrificed, Women and 
Men. I just don't feel women should ever serve in an infantry unit period. 
Not because of the physical  part, but what happens to units and how much it 
can do to that unit.

If and only if these items can be fixed, then will I feel in full 
confidence, that women should be in INFANTRY organizations.

Oh yeah and before anyone asks "why is it that other noncombatant units due 
fine with women, so why can't infantry deal with it" approach. let me just 
remind you that infantry units deal mostly with numbers. Don't believe me 
check out WW2, korea, Vietnam, First gulf war, and the one now.

Take care

Matt




>From: "Tom Hansen" <thansen at moscow.com>
>To: <vision2020 at moscow.com>
>Subject: Re: [Vision2020] women in authority and leadership
>Date: Tue, 17 Jul 2007 19:07:16 -0700
>
>For those of you who do not believe women should be permitted in uniform,
>let alone in combat, I commend to you:
>
>
>
>"Band of Sisters" by Kirsten Holmstedt
>
>http://www.mil-mall.com/product902.html
>
>
>
>It is an excellent read.
>
>
>
>Seeya round town, Moscow.
>
>
>
>Tom Hansen
>
>Moscow, Idaho
>
>
>
>


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