Historically, females have been limited to rear echelon jobs within the military. These jobs began with administrative clerical work during the second world war and have progressed to jobs such as mechanics, motor transport, and pilots. However, such progressive steps have not provided the allowance of females into what are designated "combat roles" or Victor Units (units designated for combat).
Some contradictions do occur with modern combat and the conceptualization of "combat roles". These contradictions come in the form of the label of "combat roles". With the advancement of technology, the M1A2 Abrams Main Battle Tank, with its impressive jet turbine engine, only gets eleven miles to the gallon. This means that supply vehicles must be close behind the "tip of the spear" to allow for continuous operations.
During the Operation Iraqi Freedom, the Iraqi Faydeen would allow 1st Marine Division's tanks to pass through their location to attack the less armored supply convoys. Because of these tactics, the Iraqi Faydeen were able to capture an Army soldier by the name of Jessica Lynch.
This is where the contradiction begins. In modern combat, there is no such thing as a "front line". There is no "we're over here" or "they're over there". The front line is the front gate out of the base.
The media proclaimed Lynch as being a hero. Stories were made about how she expelled all rounds in defense of her fellow soldiers and their convoy.
Her rifle was found caked with sand and reported to have a full magazine inserted.
Was this fatal shortfall due to her being a female?
No. My argument is that it is due to her being a soldier.
The Army, for decades, in their attempt to allow for more applicable soldiers, have substantially lowered their standards. The goal, for lowering these standards, was to allow for females to fill more roles, as well as to allow for those who were not as physically, or mentally, inclined to meet the previous standards to have the opportunity to join.
While lowering their standards, the Army has simultaneously increased their operation tempo and requirements for their soldiers.
Within the Army, soldiers are taught how to do their job specialization, in many instances in lieu of weapons training and maintenance.
Because of these shortcomings, the Army has recently started a new initiative towards becoming more "Expeditionary".
Many will argue, "How hard is it to pull a trigger?" in regards to allowing females to enter into the combat MOSs (Military Occupational Specialty, codes used by the military to designate seperate jobs within each branch).
It takes, roughly, five pounds worth of pull pressure to fire a trigger. However, it takes strong legs, unwaivering willpower, and an infinite supply of heart to carry a 140 lbs pack over 20 miles, set up a rally point, assault a target with pinpoint accuracy, then exfiltrate.
It takes that same formula to run into oncoming gunfire and grab a fallen friend, with gear weighing roughly 210 lbs, and drag them out of the line of fire.
Am I saying that a woman does not possess these qualities? Absolutely not. I've had the pleasure to meet a few female Marines who can lift, out run, and out shoot most Marines. It's quite a humbling experience to see a near perfect rifle qualification. Even more impressive to see one armed pull-ups from the same female Marine.
This female, however, is not the standard, and furthermore, the Marine Corps was not above lowering its standards to allow for the retention of females.
In summation: when the military lowers its standards, but raises expectations, we're setting ourselves up for military failures.
If a female can do all that I am required to do, then I feel confident in going to combat with her. Unfortunately, insurgents don't have female tees. They don't care whether or not you were able to hold yourself above the bar, but your fellow Marines care whether or not you can pull their asses out of the shit.
My stances on the logistics are the same as with the concept of homosexuals in the military. Something that is unavoidable, but adaptable.
Not every female is cut out for the job.
But for the very few that are, I say, "if you can live up to the standard that I'm held to, if you can shoot and hold your own in a firefight, then you're more than welcome in my fighting hole."
