Female infantry

[pmulcahy11b]

Story: http://www.examiner.com/article/women-marine-infantry-test-three-women-make-history-after-passing-grueling-test

I think it's partially bull -- if these women are qualified to be infantry, that's what they should be allowed to do. I knew a lot of male infantry that didn't belong in that MOS -- personnel with ability are always appreciated; in my mind, male or female makes no difference.

[Realpity]

Agreed. They qualify & they want to serve, let them. Fortunately it looks like more and more countries seem to be`thinking this way.

[rcaf_777]

The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) as been CO-ED since 1989, but I must say have served in Combat Units I have not seen a lot women as Infantry, Armour, Artillery or Combat Engineer. The ones I have know are are reservist and few stay as combat MOS. Most I found have remuster in my trade (Clerk) or Medic.

One of the Combat MOS that I have seen a lot of women in are Military Police

But dose that count a a Combat MOS?

[stormlion1]

Military Police really doesn't count as a Combat MOS (And I say this as a former USAF Security Policeman) but there typically used that way even though there training only just touch's on the subject. At the most there supposed to do patrols near bases, defend perimeters, and take care of Prisoners of War but as events move on a commander on the ground see's the MP's as Infantry and uses them as such. But the bulk of the training they receive is Law Enforcement, asset protection, riot control, and sundry other minor league work. I believe that the use of MP's for traditionally Infantry related jobs is pretty widespread though in the modern world so a lot of them are learning by doing. So putting women in a MP unit breaks the spirit of the regs if not the letter of them. I can think of one girl I knew who was a dog handler that was deployed to Iraq with a explosive sniffing dog and did plenty of IED detection missions ahead of convoys.

[Rockwolf66]

Well an Author that I know and former Lieutenant Coronel Tom Kratman has the following to say about Women in the Military.

http://www.baen.com/amazonsrightbreast.asp

Now as someone who has worked physical labor I will readily admit that there are jobs where a woman has to be extraordinary in order to keep up with the guys. There have also been times when I really wish my co-workers didn't think with their dicks.

What I am getting at is that if a woman is good enough to do the job and do it right then let her.

The big issue I see is that too many people let their political ideology color their views on the subject.

[mikeo80]

In My Humble Opinion, in the middle of the chaos that is T2K, a commander will use any body that is available. Just because one soldier has different plumbing than another does not detract from the ability of both soldiers to use a gun, spot shell fall, or other wise commit mayhem upon the enemy.

My $0.02

Mike

[stg58fal]

If they just want warm bodies to stuff into uniforms and then later pour into coffins, yes.

Otherwise, no.

[pmulcahy11b]

One of the Combat MOS that I have seen a lot of women in are Military Police


It's not considered a combat MOS in the US Army, but there is a reason why they have the nickname in the Army as "Rear Area Infantrymen."

[stormlion1]

If they just want warm bodies to stuff into uniforms and then later pour into coffins, yes.

Otherwise, no.

I remember my history teacher saying essentially the same thing in regards to the First World War.

[pmulcahy11b]

You know, I've noted a strange dichotomy most men have towards women in the 51 years I've been on this planet. They hold women as creatures who need protection, yet also hold them in utter disdain...

[bobcat]

honestly from my perspective i see no reason to bar them if they can keep up. but then again my EO policy has always been "if you can do the job and you want the job your hired until i find someone better".

[Raellus]

If women can meet the minimum basic requirements for a combat arm, I don't see why they'd shouldn't be permitted to fight. I've known plenty of females who were fitter and more athletic than many males I've known. Just 'cause someone's got boy parts doesn't automatically make them a better warrior than someone who doesn't.

That said, ATM, I'm not sure why women would want to serve in the military. I mean, the U.S. military is currently experiencing an unprecedented epidemic of sexual assaults, most of which either go unreported or, if they are reported, unpunished. If that's what a woman can expect in her own military, women need to be very clear on what might happen should they be captured by an enemy force.

[pmulcahy11b]

That said, ATM, I'm not sure why women would want to serve in the military. I mean, the U.S. military is currently experiencing an unprecedented epidemic of sexual assaults, most of which either go unreported or, if they are reported, unpunished. If that's what a woman can expect in her own military, women need to be very clear on what might happen should they be captured by an enemy force.

That should a source of deep shame all over the military. I think, though, that the chain of command needs to suffer more for covering incidents up -- even to the point of top-to-bottom RIFTing.

[.45cultist]

It's not considered a combat MOS in the US Army, but there is a reason why they have the nickname in the Army as "Rear Area Infantrymen."

The MP units in Saigon during Tet were awarded Combat Infantry Badge. I think that would occur again in the Twilight War world.

[Tegyrius]

Yep, and I think this thread is trying to go in two different directions. The U.S. military (and stateside political environment) of today is not the same as the U.S. military of Twilight: 2000 circa 1998. We need to be clear which one we're discussing here.

- C.

[CDAT]

One of the problems with the different plumbing is that for those who have the indoor plumbing, it needs more cleanliness than outdoor plumbing. This is not insurmountable, but just one more issue that has to be dealt with. Pre end of days something that is going to be difficult for large military's to deal with. Post each team will have to come up with there own way of dealing with lots of little issues this being just one more.

[Medic]

The Finnish military has accepted women in all positions since the mid-90ies. The physical minimal requirements are the same for both genders, but the women have their own tables for fitness tests (that is, they get better points with less effort). Despite that, there are (at least to my knowledge) no female paratroopers or combat divers in the Finnish Defence Forces, though there is a rather sizable number of female officers in all branches (actually dated a Finnish Navy Lieutanant a couple of times when I was a bit younger - she was nice, but just not my type nor was I her type).

In Finland, the women volunteer for service where the men are conscripts. On top of their own fitness tables, the only difference is, the women get 50 cents more daily allowance, so they can maintain their own underwear.

[stormlion1]

One thing to note, female troopers might not have access to Feminine Hygiene products post end of days but women have survived a good hunk of history doing out without them. It would just take a bit of effort when out in the field to compensate. Probably the same things refugees post end of days will be doing as well. The interesting part would be to see what they could scavenge to compensate for the lack while out in the field.

[Medic]

In the beginning of this December, I spent five consecutive days in the field with not just one or two but four female reservists, who managed just fine despite the tent-accomodations and temperatures alternating between +2 and -27 centigrades.

And on a side note, the new Finnish doctrine kicks ass. Check it on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foipv7iVP-c

[Tegyrius]

"This video does not exist" error. Got an alternate address?

- C.

[pmulcahy11b]

"This video does not exist" error. Got an alternate address?

- C.

That means that YouTube got a copyright complaint, and pulled the video. Sorry, it's gone from YouTube,

[kato13]

That means that YouTube got a copyright complaint, and pulled the video. Sorry, it's gone from YouTube,

Actually it looks like a cut and paste error.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foipv7iVP-c

I noticed the url was 2 characters short so I figured out the last 2 characters. The "-c" may have led to issues somewhere along the line.

edit turn on cc to get subs