Women in the Military: Combat Roles

When I think about women in combat, I think about the days of the Revolutionary War, women helping their husbands to load cannons or I think about the army nurses who played vital roles overseas during the Vietnam conflict. I also think about women Helicopter pilots providing air support to our soldiers and sailors during Operation Desert Storm. Twenty years ago when I enlisted into the Army I never even considered that I would be expected to serve in an actual combat role nor did I join the army to be able to experience any combat situation other than training. Thesis

However, today there are several advocates of the Equal Rights Amendment who believe that women in the military should be allowed to serve this country in combat roles. Although I have heard numerous debates on television and read about them in newspaper articles, I have yet to hear an enlisted women verbalize her desire to serve as an "Infantrywomen" or an Armored Tank Crewmember". It seems to me that the only people

fighting for more combat roles for women in the military are women who ar

but one of military effectiveness. If the United States is to remain the world's most capable and most powerful military power; we need to have the best person in each job, unfortunately, for most combat positions the best person is going to be a male.

I asked SGT Monique Roddie, a Logistics Specialist, what her feelings were on Women in Combat. She stated the following: "Women in combat roles should not be considered because of personal hygiene issues, you cannot expect a women to go to the field during Menstruation and provide the support to her fellow soldiers that they should and do expect." "It is impossible for a woman to know exactly when an "accident" may occur and that would eliminate any chance of a seamless whole."

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Approximate Pages = 9 (250 words per page double spaced)