In the austere reality of military service, I think that there are times where allowing women into combat could affect military readiness in a negative manner. But I think that most areas would be possible, but I am not sure that women are ready for the consequences.
For one thing, most men feel differently toward women fellow soldiers than they do toward male comrades. Because of our culture, and the role of mothers and daughters in our society, most men feel protective of women. At times this can be quaint, but at other times it can be a distraction or a downright security risk.
Women have the ability, and the talent and raw skills to do most military jobs as well as men. But its is not their ability which service in combat brings into question in my mind. It is the actions and reactions of the comrades and fellow soldiers that are male.
Men tend to want to protect and defend women, and view them as the weaker sex. If properly trained, I guess it is possible for men to have this gut level, instinct trained out of a person.
But I also think that most men would tend to sacrifice at all costs to keep women safe. It is this cultural taboo, that of disrespecting women, that may at times interfere with the mission, or even create a risk of injury to military readiness or preparedness. Literally, a male soldier may be willing to sacrifice the mission in some cases to prevent a fellow female soldier from being tortured, raped or brutalized, where they may regret and fight against a fellow male being savaged, but not to the extent as they would for a woman.
Hey, I don’t know. That is the thing… we don’t really know. But I think its a highly stressed issue, and I am not sure if women should be allowed to serve in combat or not.
