The Folly of "Women in Combat"

[dgs49]

While you are looking, see if you can find out if these standards were reduced when the Geniuses in City Hall decided that they needed woman firefighters. That's what happened in Pittsburgh and probably most other places. Dragging a 125 pound dummy seems like such a watered-down task. What percentage of the U.S. population is 125 pounds or less?

Women in combat is a bad idea, simply foisted upon the Military because that community is bred to follow orders. The number of women who can perform physical work on an equal basis with a physically fit man is approximately zero. You don't qualify a soldier on the basis of what is normally done, but rather what is required in situations of greatest stress.

[Grim Reaper]

Women in combat is a bad idea, simply foisted upon the Military because that community is bred to follow orders. The number of women who can perform physical work on an equal basis with a physically fit man is approximately zero. You don't qualify a soldier on the basis of what is normally done, but rather what is required in situations of greatest stress.

You really have no idea what you're talking about. At all. I've served with female soldiers who could pull their weight far better than a bunch of male soldiers. Not saying they're all good, there's poor soldiers of either gender. But to say that none are as good as men is staggeringly ignorant.

[Rick]

They just gonna need one o them pee tubes...

[Jarlaxle]

For anyone who favors women in combat, I continue to ask the 9/11 question: If you were incapacitated on the second floor of your house during a fire, would you rather see a man firefighter or a woman come into the room to rescue you?

The answer is too obvious to mention.

Long as they pass the physical requirements, don't give a damn. Honestly, in that situation: I am 100% certain my wife could carry me, and nearly as certain that my brother (active-duty Marine NCO) could NOT!

[dgs49]

Is anyone here familiar with the principle that anecdotal evidence is rather meaningless? At the very least, it should be described as such.

It really doesn't make a turd's worth of difference if your wife could carry you, or even kick your ass, now, does it? The issue is whether there is any measurable number of women who could, without diminishing the quality of the force, be added to to our current combat forces.

Even ignoring the other substantive biological and psychological reasons why this is a horrible idea, even the most physically fit women are only comparable to the most marginal of men, and adding them to the mix cannot help but weaken the overall fighting force.

It is just another example of the liberal conceit of assuming that if something is perceived to be "unfair" it must not be real. The poor are poor because they are "unfortunate," minorities do poorly in school because they are "disadvantaged," women can't pass a physically-demanding qualification test because the test is simply unfair in some way.

[Guinevere]

Dave - the only one here discussing fairness is you. The rest of us are all talking about opportunity, utilizing the standards currently in place, nothing more, nothing less. Maybe you should learn how to read and comprehend.

[Guinevere]

And oldr, what is a "no lawsuit" paper? Why would women have to give up rights to join the military than men don't have to give up?

Those that "wash out" wash out. No lawsuits saying they need a lesser standard in order to join the combat troops.

Fire "women" have been able to gain entrance to the FD by passing lesser standards than their male counterparts. I am sure there are plenty of males who, had they been able to use the "lesser" standards, would now be firefighters.

Show us the evidence, please. We're waiting.

[Rick]

How much ya wanna bet they could kick yer butt, that would be an amusing anecdote...

[Scooter]

even the most physically fit women are only comparable to the most marginal of men

What planet do you live on?

[Crackpot]

Earth circa 1962

[dales]

Is that A.D. or B.C., C/P?

[Joe Guy]

Maybe if enough women join the combat troops we will begin to manufacture more fashionable firearms.

Does this mauve M16 clash with my Ugg combat boots?

My Beretta's holster is so yesterday. The first thing I do when I get to Kabul is go shopping for a new one.

Oh, Captain... since I'm going to be point woman I'll take one pink grenade and two of those cute red ones...

[oldr_n_wsr]

And oldr, what is a "no lawsuit" paper? Why would women have to give up rights to join the military than men don't have to give up?

Those that "wash out" wash out. No lawsuits saying they need a lesser standard in order to join the combat troops.

Fire "women" have been able to gain entrance to the FD by passing lesser standards than their male counterparts. I am sure there are plenty of males who, had they been able to use the "lesser" standards, would now be firefighters.

Show us the evidence, please. We're waiting.

I appologize and stand corrected. The women in the FDNY must pass the same test as men.

The physical exam is focused on strength and agility and although there are no height, weight or other physical requirements, women are judged by the same pass/fail standard on 10 physical ability tests that men must pass to become firefighters.

From HERE

My bad.

[Joe Guy]

The test varies from department to department and has changed throughout the years.

I personally know of one Fire Dept that changed testing standards in the 1980's to make it easier for women to be hired.

Many police departments had a minimum height standard for officers that was eliminated quite a while back. That wasn't specifically for women, but it helped them.

[Sue U]

How much ya wanna bet they could kick yer butt, that would be an amusing anecdote...

Yeah, but they're IDF; they could kick your butt with guilt alone (they've had lifelong training).

[oldr_n_wsr]

Women carrying assault weapons. Is there anything sexier?

[Gob]

Naked women carrying assault weapons.

[dales]

With babies strapped to their backs.

[Grim Reaper]

Is anyone here familiar with the principle that anecdotal evidence is rather meaningless? At the very least, it should be described as such.

You don't even have that to back up your argument. Just unnamed reports from a third party organization that has it out for women in combat.

Even ignoring the other substantive biological and psychological reasons why this is a horrible idea, even the most physically fit women are only comparable to the most marginal of men, and adding them to the mix cannot help but weaken the overall fighting force.

Again, this is utter nonsense.

It is just another example of the liberal conceit of assuming that if something is perceived to be "unfair" it must not be real. The poor are poor because they are "unfortunate," minorities do poorly in school because they are "disadvantaged," women can't pass a physically-demanding qualification test because the test is simply unfair in some way.

Except there are women who can pass the same test as men. Something you seem resolute in denying as even possible.

[Miles]

I for one who spent many an hour in fox holes under very stressful conditions would not have wanted any female watching my back. Having said that I really don't want any feminist crap about being a chivanist. We raise our women to be mothers not killers and I think that is just fine.