For a long time, American women have been restricted from armor, infantry, artillery as well as other combat roles in the military. However, they have found themselves frequently in combat in Afghanistan as well as Iraq. Serving in combat positions in the military has remained crucial to the advancement of one’s career. For a long time, women have claimed that by failing to recognize their actual service, the U.S military has held them back unfairly. Over years, women have expressed their desire to serve in combat roles in the armed forces and urged the government as well as the military to recognize their role in the defense of the nation. Therefore, it is imperative to allow women who are willing and ready to serve in combat roles in the armed forces to do so. If a woman is interested and willing to serve her country and has the desire to be in combat, she should be given the chance. Besides, women have become an essential part of the armed forces .
There are various direct combat roles which should be open to the military women since they are more attainable. According to a former captain in the U.S. army, local cultural sensitivities in Afghanistan and Iraq have led the military to employ women in missions that are led by combat units . Former Navy Seals also say that they served side by side with women in motor transport units. The women’s task was resupplying the front lines. These former Navy Seals insist that the women did their jobs well, just as men. Indeed, there is no reason why females cannot acquire these same positions that men have in combat environments. It is imperative to open all roles to women and give them an opportunity to try even if very few of them can succeed .
The women that serve in the American military today differ in a number of ways from the men in the American military. In comparison with the military men, a smaller proportion of the military women are married and a bigger share of the women is made of blacks. Also, the post-9/11 era’s women veterans are likely to have served in war and more probable to be vital in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. In many ways, military women are similar to military men since they are also likely to be officers. They also joined the military for reasons similar to those of men. Besides, both men and women who served in the post-9/11era have experienced the same mix of rewards and struggles upon resuming civilian life . According to the officials in all the military service branches America, combat positions can be opened to women without lowering performance as well as physical standards. The Pentagon also asserts that it is imperative to lift a ban on women who serve in ground combat units. This shows that women also play a vital role in the combats. Lifting the ban will open about 237,000 positions to military women by 2016 . Allowing women to take part in combat roles in the military will not lower the military standards. Besides, it is not a matter of raising or lowering standards, since this move will validate the military standards and make sure the standards are the rights one for the job .
Despite the fact that women have served in the military since a 1948 Congress Act, they have been excluded from artillery, infantry as well as other ground combat posts. Since more than 280,000 female troops were sent to fight in warzones in Afghanistan and Iraq, gender discrimination does not make sense anymore. Pentagon leaders as well as the women who have served in the wars believe women are capable of serving in combat roles in the armed forces . Allowing women to serve in combat roles is a representation of a surrender of the military brass, a capitulation to the spirit of today’s world. This action would represent an ideology that opposes human history, human nature and human experience. Indeed, women are good at soldiering just as men.
Since 1973, the number of women who serve in the American military risen considerably. The proportion of women among the ranks that have been enlisted has increased from 2% to 14%. The share of women among officers that have been commissioned has also risen considerably, from 4% to 16%. This is a clear indication that women are willing to serve in the military just like men, therefore they should be allowed to serve in combat roles in the military . The military is 80% tail and 20% teeth and if there is a case where the existence of America is at risk the issue becomes citizenship’s obligation and not a man’s obligation .
In conclusion, there are women who are as strong, both emotionally and physically as men; therefore, women also have a right to be given the chance to serve in combat roles in the armed forces if they have the desire to do so.
Works Cited
Brook, Tom Vandem. "Pentagon opening front-line combat roles to women." 18 June 2013. USA Today. 18 June 2013 <http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2013/06/18/women-expected-on-front- lines-by-2016/2434911/>.
CNN. "Pentagon says women in all combat units by 2016." 18 June 2013. CNN. 18 2013 June <http://www.cnn.com/2013/06/18/politics/women-combat/>.
Cooper, Elise. "Women in Combat: the Soldiers Speak." 21 February 2013. American Thinker. 21 February 2013 <http://www.americanthinker.com/2013/02/women_in_combat_the_soldiers_speak.html >.
Cox, Matthew. "Army Eyes New Standards for Women in Combat." 27 November 2013. Military.com. 27 November 2013 <http://www.military.com/daily- news/2013/11/27/army-eyes-new-standards-for-women-in-combat.html>.
Fishel, Justin. "Military leaders lift ban on women in combat roles." 24 January 2013. Fox News. 24 January 2013 <http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/01/24/panetta-opens-combat- roles-to-women/>.
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