There has been an increased controversy surrounding policies that govern women serving in the Military. Of questionable concern is the award of roles to women as far as positions are concerned (Desmarais 23). Policies exist in the military that prevent women from serving direct combat positions because it is specified by Congressional Acts, presidential directives, and department of defense (DoD) policies (Sheppard, and Waggener 2). While many are fighting for gender, such policies do little in offering “protection” to women that they promote inequality and discrimination. Policies in the United States Military bar women from combat MOS such as Special Forces, armor, and fled artillery. While the US is known all over the world as a land of equality, it is crucial that it provides a revision to this policy (s).
Purpose Statement
This paper addresses efforts undertaken by leaders in support of the exclusionary policies against women in the military, provides a critical analysis of critical issues surrounding combat activities among women, and identifying strategies for changing or improving on such policies (Sheppard, and Waggener 3). Other goals of this paper include the provision of policy implications that might allow the participation of women in direct combat roles.
Research Questions
A sensitive research of this calls for the formulation of research questions to provide guidance to this research study:
i. Is it necessary to champion for equal rights concerning military positions for women as a matter of promoting equality and fairness?
ii. Is the military culture officer limited opportunities to women?
iii. Have American leaders contributed in strengthening policies that lock women out of major combat positions? Does policy restrictions qualify as ways of protecting women from increased military risks?
iv. Is physical strength or instability in emotional affiliations the cause for the different roles among men and women in the military?
v. Are the current policies justifiable or is there a need to review such policies to enable women to take up increased roles in the military?
Research Hypothesis
Based on the above research questions, the following hypothesis are formulated to limit this research within specific topics:
i. There is a need to fight for equality in terms of allowing women to access combat positions in the military
ii. The military culture restricts opportunities available for women
iii. Since they are the policy makers, strategic American leaders are responsible for locking out women leaders in accessing military positions
iv. It is argued that physical strength and emotional instability is a major contributory factor that prevents women from accessing certain roles in the military
v. The issue of barring women from accessing combat roles is not justifiable
Methodology
Issues relating to the military must be treated with utmost sensitivity to avoid violating national security agendas. However, information to be used in this study will be collected from secondary sources, military information available to the public, evidence from exemplary work from American women in combat assignments (Katherine, and Syme-Taylor 455), and views from strategic leaders who are in support of the idea of allowing women to undertake combat assignments.
Mixed-gender berthing in submarines, air forces, and ships will not affect unit cohesion, cause sexual relationships, and require special protection (Katherine, and Syme-Taylor 453)
A section of navy commandants support women in combat based on their outcome
Army congressmen such as the 2005 congressman Hunter Duncan and president of Military readiness supported the idea of having women in combat and called for policy changes
Shortage of men in combat shows inefficiency in hiring
Work Cited
Desmarais, Norman. Women in the United States Military: An Annotated
Bibliography, Reference Reviews, 26.2(2012): 23 - 24
Katherine, Brown, and Syme-Taylor, Victoria. Women academics and feminism in
professional military education. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: An
International Journal, 31. 5/6 (2012):452 – 466
Sheppard, Cindy and Waggener, Anna. Women in Combat. USAWC Strategy
Research Project. 2007.
