Women in Combat Units Women

Women in Combat Units

Women in the army are nothing new. During the Second World War, women served in the front as much as men, both among the allied and the axis powers. The separation of duties resulted in companies called the WAC -- Women Army Corps that had details in medical, and other non-combatant operations. They were also subject to the same risks of bombings, enemy action and other hazards of war. The question that is now the focus of debate is if this service is to be extended to include women in combat units. or, 'Should the U.S. military allow women to fight in all combat units?'

The Controversies and Debates Earlier the problem or controversy of including women in combat units have been debated and discussed for over half a century. While the debates were on, the U.S. military did induct women into combat order. When the subject was discussed in the 1980's and 1990s many academics and writers expressed opinions for and against the proposal. In 1985 for example there was a hot debate in the public policy arena and in social scientific writing; the issue is still alive and undecided. Despite the current combat exclusion policy, there are women in jobs in the U.S. military that will place them in combat should war break out where they are stationed or where their units are planned to be deployed. As pointed out by Grace King, as well as Jeff Tuten, many women in the army who are in combat support and combat service support military occupational specialties are currently at risk of combat. What distinguishes the combat service as well as combat support jobs which women presently occupy from many of those from which they are excluded is not the degree of risk of their being killed, but rather the degree to which the jobs involve offensive or defensive combat potential. They are excluded from employment as well as from units that during times of war routinely involve in offensive types of warfare. (Goldman, 267)

This later was seen in the light of the law, which at that time law forbade the assignment of women to military combat roles in the Air Force, Navy and Marines. Women, who volunteer can be inducted but have to be kept off from dangerous work of the military assignments. During the Carter administration in 1979 an attempt to remove the combat exclusion laws were made. The House Military Personnel Sub-committee considered the matter in detail but the proposal was shelved. It was revived on May 8, 1991, by Representative Patricia Schroeder, the Democrat from Colorado and the same was approved by a voice vote Thus the House Armed Services Committee allowed induction of women into combat units. (Schlafly, Women in Military Combat? What it Means for American Culture and Defense) Today women are serving in the combat units, especially in the gulf regions. There have been scandals involving omen and human rights violations too. There are fundamental issues that were discussed regarding women in combat roles. These issues need to be sorted out at the earliest.

A a) the Issues Involved

There are various issues involved in the induction of women into the combat units. These issues can be segregated into physical, which includes sexual abuse, harassment and incompatibility, biological - which can be pregnancies and attendant issues, physical abilities and impacts, Social, which could be disruption in family life and psychological- the trauma of war. The fact that men are from Mars and women are from Venus is now an accepted fact and in the light of these, all these issues have to be examined in detail. Some of these issues are substantial amid merits detailed study and formulation of policies. The physical issues stress on the natural reactions in mixed company.

Physical Issues

To look at the issues that have to be addressed of a physical nature, we have to admit that women are being inducted into a hitherto male bastion, and consequently many issues, that pertain to sexual abuse, harassment, and gender bias can be expected. The second physical problem will be the biological capability of women in performing tasks that were or are considered injurious. Even though women served the army ever since the world wars; till the period of 1977, women in the Army were assigned to the Women's Army Corps. It is stated that during this period women were trained separately from men, and they were assigned either administrative or medical duties. Lynn Meola writes of her personal experience which shows that she was selected and assigned to Fort Jackson, South Carolina, to train in basic electronics and special cryptographic communications equipment. Thereafter she worked in a combat signal unit at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and later went to airborne school. Some of the male dominated dangerous works like being the first woman to drop in to remote sites to repair crypto equipment, jumping from helicopters etc. were performed. However she complains and maintains that during the years as an enlisted soldier, she was sexually harassed on every assignment. (Weinstein; White, 151)

Women are often the targets of victimization. Then if it was stated so for the GIs; then those at the very top are not considered to be spared from harassment. The scandals, namely the Tailhook and Aberdeen scandals are testimony to this fact. The "first female three-star general in the U.S. military, LT-GEN Claudia Kennedy, the U.S. Army's deputy chief of staff for intelligence," once had to bring in an accusation on MAJ-GEN Larry Smith, for harassing her sexually in 1996-97. It is also pointed out that Larry Smith was at that time slated to be "deputy inspector general in charge of investigating sexual harassment complaints." (Loy, 43) There is also an argument that men who enforce discipline and the others targeted by women cadets can become the innocent victims of false accusations. This could be from women colleagues or subordinates, who are disgruntled. This issue is thus argued about. Sexual harassment occurs in most offices and establishments. That must not be a cause of excluding women from combat. Rather there must be, it is felt a safe system created to minimize hazards. How can sexual exploitation be minimized and also provide safeguards against false implications is a serious issue that needs to be considered in depth. While on one hand, the situation of a woman in a male dominated world is and issue, the more important question centers around the biological, or the inherent weaknesses in women to perform tasks required in combat. (Loy, 44)

Biological Issues

The biological issues could be the physical abilities of women and the barriers to them performing as much as required in physical activities. The second is the pregnancy issue. There is an opinion that when "compared to the average male inductee, the female is 4.8 inches shorter, 'weighs 31.7 pounds less, and have 37.4 pounds less muscle mass and 5.7 pounds more fat mass. In general, women are at a distinct disadvantage when performing military tasks requiring muscular strength because of their lower muscle mass." (Loy, 46)

Further argument is that the fat mass and heat tolerance, marching with heavy loads are all disadvantageous to women. Further arguments point out that women are at a higher risk for injuries and during the "training, 51% of women and 27% of men were injured." (Loy, 44) Fifty four percent of the women participants received injuries during the Army basic training. The manpower loss is set at thirteen days. One of the causes of injuries has been attributed to limited leg length. (Loy, 46)

These shortcomings have not kept women from performing in operation desert storm, and they have acquitted themselves honorably. The argument could also be advanced that today's wars are more mechanized and physical prowess of the individual is made up by technical gadgetry. Thus many of the demanding physical activities have been eased today which can be a point that could set of the biological shortcomings. For example weapons are lighter, and the distance and range is higher. Further aircrafts and ships have more facilities and are mechanized. Thus the physical strength is only a secondary need.

Environmental Issues

Women may not be able to adjust to heat as much as men do. However a positive point "that they are less susceptible to altitude sickness and, normally have a 'greater tolerance of cold temperature due to their extra body fat'" goes in their favor. (Loy, 47) "Lieutenant Colonel William Gregor a former faculty member at West Point, researched the performance of 3540 male and 623 female West Point and Army ROTC cadets at summer camp" he concluded that men and women do not meet the same physical standards. The study claims that women start to lose "bone mass at an earlier stage than men," and thus are probable victims of fractures and bone injuries. This may point "to the fact that women selected for combat units may not" be around till the end of the possible careers. If a standard for mid life career consideration is done, most women will be eliminated. (Loy, 47)

Social Issues

Family life and the natural obligations to the family, between the career and home could be frustrating and tense. This is because one cannot have a 'day off' when the family requires it in the case of a service woman in the Army. Deployment could be at far away places which could result separation and anxiety for the family. The Canadian army employs women in its units ever since the last century. The report is that there are issues of juggling between home and career. "Issues such as child care, spousal employment, and lack of geographic stability, pregnancy leave, and single parenthood are all factors that contribute to the departure of women from the force." (Backgrounder: Women in the Canadian Forces) One of the studies conducted on the issue in Canada suggest that personnel policies must be changes in such a manner that "both women and men can balance the military activity with family responsibilities." (Backgrounder: Women in the Canadian Forces) it can be argued that this is the case also with women surgeons, nurses and many other occupations which require women to be away from home for some time. Thus upon analyzing the performance of combatants in actual combat and comparing these problems it is possible to clear up the issue.

A b) Analyze Data

There are illustrations available on all the issues. For example the issue of sexual harassment has found convincing arguments that it is present and is a cause of women combatants leaving service. Karen D. Davis researching on the reason why women exit from the Canadian Forces found that the reason was the unfavorable attitude in the male dominated army. The research was a qualitative approach was used to explore the relationship between organizational environment and exit among women who left the Canadian Forces after serving more than ten but less than twenty years. The analysis was based on interviews and the results showed that the experience of women in the male dominated army was rather unpleasant. The figures show that in 1992, the number of women in the full-time regular component of the Canadian Forces peaked at over 9,000, comprising approximately 11% of the regular force. In 1995 it went down to 7500 members, and the recent figures show that 0.7% of the workforces have women in service. Most are in the non-operational and medical fields. Thus the combating personnel have a skewed ratio of the genders. (Weinstein; White, 179)

The second issue that women will not stand the hardships of war was proved wrong when women fought in the Persian Gulf War. The war that changed the nature of the question and proved the combat worthiness of women in the war is the Persian Gulf War. The role of women in the war was highlighted by the media and brought issues related to it to the fore. The war was the beginning of changing the laws so that women could be inducted to serving in combat assignments. In 1991 women served in the forward areas. Women in the Marine Corps served in the administrative force. The Persian Gulf War was a determinant in the answer to the question of women in combat. The Persian war saw the deployment of over 35,000 women personnel, the largest in the history of U.S. wars. Women officers served in the front as pilots, repair units and mostly male dominated areas of expertise. This made it clear that women could handle most operations as well as men. (Skaine, 64) the air force deployed 3800 women and the allied nations in the war too participated with women officers. Canada sent 150, and Britain 800 and the war saw two women being taken as prisoners. (Skaine, 65)

The number of deployment is shown by Rosemarie Skaine in table given in the appendix. This also showed that the military also relies more and more on women in combat. The Persian Gulf War, the first major armed conflict for U.S. troops since Vietnam, graphically illustrated that the military had become increasingly dependent on women to respond to a major crisis. The media were filled with pictures and stories of women checking out their gas masks and flack jackets, saying tearful goodbyes to their families, and boarding planes headed for the heat and sand of Saudi Arabia. During the 1983 Operation Fury in Grenada, women constituted 2% of the Army's forces. By 1989 and Operation Just Cause in Panama, the proportion had doubled to 4%. (Weinstein; White, 179)

Now we can agree by analyzing these facts that there exists some issues with regard to employing women in combat units, and that in spite of all these shortcomings and problems, women who were employed in the combat units did do well. The question therefore is not actually must women are inducted into the combat units, but 'what safeguards and basic requirements must be afforded to keep the cohesion of the units with women and see that women are not discriminated against in the units?' Current theory and those concerned in the military issues argue that inducting women in the army in times of terrorism is a great need, especially when the country goes to war at far off regions. These arguments win the debate and answer the question.

Current Issues on the Subject

Kingsley Browne argues against women in combat. His observation is that women should be barred from battleships, to prevent pregnancy and sexual relations. Further women's lack of upper body strength will put the entire crew at risk. The induction of women must be in such posts that will not hamper the efficiency of the Army. The woman combatant is not a theoretical issue, with women flying aircraft and serve on warships. It is claimed that this will create a "gender neutral" military. The principles of arguing against the women combatant is based on the premises drawn from research in anthropology, biology, history, psychology, sociology, and law, as well as military manuals. (Browne, 26)

While the author argued against induction, Martin Binkin argued that in the first place, the physical standards required even for the male combatants are not clear and distinct. There is an established standard for performing the job since the training is over. Therefore the rule must be that if any person meets the prevailing medical standards such persons will also meet the required level of physical fitness. The training will also reveal the individual physical deficiencies. Therefore once a person gets inducted and is trained, it can be positively stated that such persons are physically fit and capable. Another argument that supports induction of women is that today the Army and Marine Corps are not finding enough personnel to fill the units. The conservative people are trying to limit intake of gays and women to contribute towards the efforts of war. There is a war on terrorism going on, and it is likely to continue for a long time. (Binkin, 26)

Under these circumstances, what the "army wants- assign mixed-sex support units to work with combat battalions" must be allowed. (Boot; Kirkpatrick, 7) the Anti-feminist activist Elaine Donnelly said during the Clinton Administration that the government was taking measures to scuttle this policy. The argument that inductions of lesbians and gays "would hurt morale and cohesion" does not have any solid basis. Surveys indicate that serving personnel have no objection in allowing women and other different persons like gays and lesbians and also gave the opinion that they be allowed to serve openly. In the struggle against fanatics every person counts. Therefore the question of women in combat is academic. Women have proved their mettle in the war and hence must be allowed into combat units. (Boot; Kirkpatrick, 7)

In the struggle against the Taliban for example it has been proved that military has found that female soldiers can perform some jobs that men can't, such as searching Iraqi women. It is therefore to be agreed that women have to be employed in the combatant units. The issue to be sorted out is how to create the work norms and other systems to eliminate or minimize most of the shortcomings listed in the issues. To find a solution therefore it is necessary to find solutions to each of the issues.

Identify Possible Solutions to the Issue:

The primary question is why the army needs women in combat roles. Other countries have restrictions on women in combat roles. Thus if the U.S. army was to induct women, there must be a clear reason why. The point made here is that there is no "consistent interpretation on what is expected of the women who join the Army." If the policy is that women must not fight a war, then there is no need to induct them into combat units. (Loy, 50) the first task therefore is that a very clear policy be drawn up that informs the servicewomen their exact role within the Army. This can result in an arrangement that takes care of all other issues like harassment, pregnancy etc. The "success of a policy depends on the implementation process as much as on the policy itself. As of now, the lesser physical ability of women is tacitly acknowledged by lowering the standards in the Individual Physical Proficiency Test -- IPPT and other related selection tests to allow women to meaningfully participate in the various military courses. Unlike the case of IPPT where it is pegged to a standard expected of the individual service personnel, the purpose of qualification tests is unambiguous. What's more, why exempt women from IPPT indefinitely the moment they become mothers, if they continue to hold on to combat appointments?" (Loy, 50)

These are some of the questions. The first solution therefore is that there must be common physical and mental fitness criteria for men and women and only the women who fit the common standards ought to be taken for service. This eliminates the gender consideration. If a woman proves to be exactly similar in match to the male counterpart, she could be inducted without further misgivings. The fact that the inductee passed the same tests and has therefore the same capabilities of the male counterparts is a first guard against discrimination. If a person was perceived to be an equal, there is a likelihood of lesser harassment. Thus the first solution that could become workable is the Army establishing and publishing the "physical requirements for all of its occupational specialties currently closed to women." (Field; Nagl, 75)

The selection methods must be designed such that only those persons who satisfy the levels whether "male or female must be allowed to serve in the combat specialty" for which the selection is made. (Field, Kim; Nagl, 76) it is also necessary that there be periodic testing to ensure that all personnel "maintain themselves in fit condition so as to cope with the demands of" the combat unit. (Field, Kim; Nagl, 76) There must be a policy to either discharge or relocate to less demanding units of such personnel regardless of gender of such personnel found wanting in fitness. (Field, Kim; Nagl, 76) the need to employ women in combat units is present with pressures social, political and other types of feelings which require women to have the same opportunities as men. Thus one way of avoiding the inefficiencies associated with employing women is to have the same physical fitness standards.

The National Cadet Corps:

All over the world the NCC and the scouts and guides inculcate the military discipline and give the taste of military life to children and college graduates. One solution to prepare women for combat roles is to make these institutions the base point for recruitment. Thus a woman cadet can be subjected to physical requirements and tests that will be required in actual combat situations. Those who like and have an aptitude for such a career will then take steps to qualify in the selection process. Such persons will naturally become an asset rather than a liability. Since they have a taste of what the service is like, they will have no problems to fit in to the actual unit. Such systems are part of the educational curricula in most countries and though participation is voluntary those who participate tend to take a career in the armed forces seriously. This also can be extended to the guides and other organizations. (Field; Nagl, 77)

Pregnancy Issues

With regards to the service rules for women, owing to the fact that they are bound to get pregnant and require time off, a rule that covers the prohibition of pregnancy for a period after induction- about the time they complete training and then for a year in service cannot be said to be wrong. The question then is what happens when service personnel who are trained say to be a fighter pilot gets pregnant and is not airborne when required. There must be a method of training and keeping a reserve male or female in a unit who can act as standby. The solution therefore will be to take in more than the required number of personnel into the force. Thus if a unit requires ten people, there must be a recruitment for twelve or even fourteen. It is wrong to argue that a woman will get pregnant when there is a crisis. Family institutions cannot be discarded for the Army. (Field; Nagl, 77)