Government

‘Formal Discrimination’: Female Army Officers Sue to End Combat Ban

Female Army Officers Sue Defense Department, Army to End Combat Ban

Two female Army officers have sued the Department of Defense and the Army over the ban on women serving in combat. (Image source: Army Times)

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Two women in the Army Reserve have sued the U.S. Department of Defense and the Army in a bid to reverse military policies banning women from serving in combat roles.

The lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia accuses the government of violating the constitutional rights of servicewomen by excluding them from certain ground combat units and other positions solely on the basis of their gender. It seeks to end such policies by the Defense Department and Army and to require the military to make all assignments and training decisions without regard to a service member’s gender.

The lawsuit, filed Wednesday, names Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, Secretary of the Army John McHugh, Deputy Chief of Staff Lt. Gen Thomas Bostick and Assistant Army Secretary Thomas Lamont. It is the first lawsuit to challenge the combat ban, according to University of Virginia Law School professor Anne Coughlin, who led an effort to look into the policies.

Command Sgt. Maj. Jane Baldwin and Col. Ellen Haring allege the policies have hindered their career advancement, and that continued enforcement of the policy unconstitutionally bars women from certain positions available to men, restricts current and future earnings, their opportunities for advancement and their future retirement benefits.

The lawsuit also notes that women are already serving in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan, and instead of assigning them to combat units, the military is purposefully and deliberately circumventing the exclusion by “attaching” them to such units. In doing so, however, the policies put the women in more danger than their male counterparts because they’re barred from receiving combat-arms training necessary for engaging with hostile forces.

Haring has held positions as platoon leader, commander, executive officer and bridge commander over a 28-year Army career. She currently serves as a Joint Concept Officer for the Joint and Coalition Warfighting Center in Suffolk, Va. The lawsuit argues that Haring’s options “were limited to support positions with no possibility to compete within the combat arms.”

The ban also has caused Baldwin and Haring to “suffer invidious discriminatory treatment in a work environment that institutionalizes the unequal treatment of women solely because of their sex and notwithstanding their individual abilities,” the lawsuit said.

Department of Defense spokesman Todd Breasseale declined to comment specifically Friday about the lawsuit. But he said Panetta “remains strongly committed to examining the expansion of roles of women in the U.S. military, as evidenced by the recent step of opening up thousands more assignments to women.”

Under that change, female officers and non-commissioned officers will be assigned to combat units below the brigade level. The change will open up about 14,000 new jobs for women in the military, but there are still more than 250,000 jobs that remain closed to women.

The new jobs within combat battalions are in personnel, intelligence, logistics, signal corps, medical and chaplaincy. The Army is also opening jobs that were once entirely closed to women, such as mechanics for tanks and artillery and rocket launcher crew members.

“The Department remains committed to removing barriers that prevent service members from rising to their highest potential, based on each person’s ability and not constrained by gender-restrictive policies,” Breasseale said.

The lawsuit stems from an initiative by Coughlin, a law professor specializing in gender discrimination, and several U.Va. law students. The Molly Pitcher Project, named after a woman who was on the front lines of the Revolutionary War, examined whether excluding women from combat roles could be challenged in court, whether they harmed women and whether those women wanted to seek legal action.

“In every place in the U.S., employers are forbidden to rely on sex as proxy for fitness for the job, but in the military, sex is a proxy for fitness for combat,” Coughlin said Friday. “With wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, what we’re seeing is women working in combat theaters, fighting and dying for their country. The practical question is: How can we continue to justify formal discrimination?”

Comments (205)

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  • moussiagilda
    Posted on May 26, 2012 at 10:49am

    Excuse my manners, but — you sleazebag. Who do you need to be killing? Who deserves to be killed?

    No war.

    Don’t carry a gun.

    Report Post »  
    • TheSitRep
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 11:14am

      Tell that to the thug that robs you.
      Tel that to the Chinese and the Russians.
      The last time I checked they were all armed to the teeth.

      Report Post » TheSitRep  
    • moussiagilda
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 11:18am

      Over these last three weeks, I’ve been around plenty of people that were armed to the teeth, and none of them used their weapons on me, because they loved me too much.

      “Love and you will be loved.”

      Report Post »  
    • lukerw
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 11:21am

      IDIOT… War kills the Warriors… not AntiWar Protesters!

      Report Post » lukerw  
    • jlcook
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 11:24am

      Killers, and a whole host of miscreints need to be killed, terrorists,etc… Fine you don’t have to carry a gun, I do, and will. I will protect myself from those who wish to do harm to me or my family, you try to reason with someone who wants to kill you for 40 dollars cause he doesn’t want a witness, or wants to kill someone just for GP. MORE GUNS! in the hands of responsible people would curb crime The chances that someone will get robbed go down when there is a 95% chance that person is also healed. Your a moron, passivist, go hug a tree, make a friend with a terrorist or something.

      Report Post » jlcook  
    • lukerw
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 1:12pm

      We are a Predator Species… and what we do Best is Kill. To be Safe, you want to be with a Bunch of Christians… who support Hospitality and tend not to Kill each other.

      Report Post » lukerw  
    • kryptonite
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 1:41pm

      @moussiagilda
      No war.
      Don’t carry a gun.
      —-
      Wow. You need to be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.

      Report Post »  
    • Sirfoldallot
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 1:53pm

      School must be out !

      Report Post » Sirfoldallot  
    • hidden_lion
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 2:40pm

      Make them sign up for the draft as well. All are equal, all should suffer the same. When these female soldiers have to meet the same physical requirements as the men, than they can ask to be assigned to the main combat roles.

      Report Post » hidden_lion  
    • hidden_lion
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 2:46pm

      Calisun-
      When the women are sent to fight on the front lines, the society will disappear. Woman are the bedrock of any culture or people and should not be sacrificed lightly. The women are the last line of defense, not the first. It is a sad fact that woman of today are trying to lower themselves to the status of men.

      Report Post » hidden_lion  
    • Stink Fist
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 3:39pm

      I want an all female patrol base in Afganistan. Please set one up Army! I want to see what happens. My guess, after the rebels break through the lines and capture the base, then the raping begins. I bet they wouldn’t hold out for very long and would be crying pretty quick.

      Report Post »  
    • newmexicopatriots
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 4:04pm

      Like usual, what the hell are you talking about? Use proper grammar and people might understand what you are saying.

      Report Post » newmexicopatriots  
    • lukerw
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 5:57pm

      @NEWMEX…
      This is Not a Class… where attendance is based upon prerequisities… rather it is an Open Forum, where all those using the Internet can participate… regardless of Age, Nationality, or Education!

      Report Post » lukerw  
    • SovereignSoul
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 6:38pm

      Participation is free. The ability to clearly present one”s ideas, however, may require a bit of effort.

      Report Post » SovereignSoul  
    • creepshow
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 8:07pm

      Some people are just too damn stupid to know how good their lot in life is. By all means, put them on the front lines. Just keep in mind that seeing another human being’s head destroyed by a bullet is not a character building experience. There is no erase button for that.

      Report Post »  
    • Twisted Mind
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 8:23pm

      Heii, If that’s what they want, let’em have it. They want to play big boy games, let them all serve the same way the big boy do.

      Report Post »  
    • Apple Bite
      Posted on May 27, 2012 at 3:50am

      In Japan, the Chikans would love you long time, and as often as they wish to.

      Why?

      Japanese aren’t able to protect themselves or their families from outsiders wishing to take advantage of them. Housewives and young women are often victims to sexual assault by delivery and business men in their homes or in public places like buses and train stations. Some are even raped with their family present in the vicinity. And yet, Japan’s government refuses to lift the ban on personal arms, knowing that if the people can protect themselves, these miscreants wouldn’t be doing the things they do.

      That’s the same or similar kind of life Koreans and British live as well. In fact, in Britain, a thug can turn you in for owning a firearm, despite having trespassed onto your private property to rob you, and win the case on top of it all. Plenty of stories abound with proof to back it up online.

      That’s the kind of life Liberals in the US want us to live. So they continuously attack the 2nd amendment, in hopes of riding this country’s means of self protection. Thank GOD for our found father’s common sense. They understood the reason behind protecting home and country and acted accordingly. Our laws are far from perfect, but destroying what works for Utopian viewpoints would be the death of this country as we know it today.

      Report Post » Apple Bite  
    • rangerp
      Posted on May 27, 2012 at 7:37am

      Yep, we need equality for all.

      I think people with downs syndrome should be able to fly helicopters, and blind people should be able to drive tanks, and crippled folks should have the right to serve in the infantry.

      To heck with lethality, and being able to fight and win the nations wars, lets just turn the military into one giant happp civil righs play ground.

      So, are these “combat” women going to stop using the female PT standards, and adopt the PT standards that the men use???? Yea, about what I thouht, not a chance.

      Report Post » rangerp  
    • rangerp
      Posted on May 27, 2012 at 7:48am

      notice these ladies are not calling for equal standards.

      They do not wish to be held to the same PT standards as their male counterparts, as they know that a high majority of females would be put out of the military.

      they are asking to be able to have the same job, but perform to a lower standard. Now it will take a male soldier, to come pull their slack, when the heavy lifting and such needs to be done.

      And what exactly will happen to the already throuth the roof sexual assaults in the military? They will go even higher.

      We have become a nations of idiots.

      Report Post » rangerp  
    • mtcountrygrl
      Posted on May 27, 2012 at 11:07am

      There is a difference between men and women, get over it! I don‘t want women on the front lives and I don’t want my daughters to be drafted. These “feminists” don’t realize the things they are fighting for effect us all. Chilvary is a GOOD thing and should be encouraged. No man worth his salt would be able to let a woman be shot up in front of him. These women make me so mad. Not to mention they make the physical standards less for the women than the men to get into the millitary. So they want the same treatment, except when it does not benefit them.

      Report Post »  
    • Fubared
      Posted on May 27, 2012 at 11:37am

      P
      Agree 100%. We should lower all standards and dole out black berets to all. Again. Sick joke by a few militant hags when they know a combat load would kick their ass in just 5 klicks. Waste of time and money, once again. Maybe we could train a bat sized unit of them to work the border w mejico in aug/sept and see about attrition rates.

      Report Post »  
  • Jezcruzen
    Posted on May 26, 2012 at 10:43am

    Here we have another example of a handful of women who will succeed in bringing down a lot of grief on all women. Why? Because these army women want to advance, and one key to advancement is combat experience. Now, here’s the grief part – not all women in the military want front line combat. Not all women in the military want to experience what will happen to them when (not if) captured. They will be raped repeatedly. Did you read that? RAPED… REPEATEDLY… FOR DAYS AND DAYS! Then there are the wounds… the crippling wounds, disfigurement, the loss of limbs, eyes, teeth. Hell, death is the easy part. Being shot up, or blown up, and having to live is the hard part. Your wife. Your daughter. Your sweetheart. Your Mom! And, I’m not finished yet…

    The draft. Yes, there currently is not a draft, but males turning 18 still have to register by law. Why are young women turning 18 not required to register? If women are going into combat because of some activist judge and this handful of egotistical, greedy women in the Army, you can bet your butt that you young ladies will be visiting the post office and registering right along with the guys. And why not?

    Report Post »  
    • lukerw
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 11:24am

      The Territorial Primate… does not want the Females to leave the Herd… out instinct!

      Report Post » lukerw  
    • kryptonite
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 1:37pm

      Spot on. I hate to say this, but physical appearance is more important for/to women than men, and that’s in all societies. Disabling and disfiguring wounds, while terrible for both sexes, are far more acceptable in men than in women. A woman scarred in war may see her sex life come to an end. Just sayin’.

      Report Post »  
    • ashestoashes
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 1:56pm

      Gee..I don’t even know where to start here..First off..are you serious..not allowing women the right to vote? Maybe you should consider becoming a Muslim..they are very oppressive and even murder there own wives and daughters..Then I started to write how I don’t see any problem with women who are “hot to murder” do so..then I am thinking..am I serious? Isn’t that sad that war is now considered a profession..professional murder..isn’t that a great ideal to aspire too? Isn’t it wonderful that our youth have such wonderful careers to choose from and who may well have no choice in the future..ever wonder what our people are doing fighting these Islamic wars while Islam is busy here in the states? Who is minding the store? For those of you who have not seen..this is the answer..please watch to the end..It has the answer that all Christians should know.
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcSM4dNMCPk
      Here is how the Torah obedient Jews feel about it
      http://www.nkusa.org/AboutUs/Zionism/opposition.cfm

      Report Post »  
    • lukerw
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 2:24pm

      @KRYPT…
      In Predator Species… the Female is the Best Hunter… has the most Endurance… and can handle the most Pain & Suffering. Do not confuse Culture with Ability!

      Report Post » lukerw  
    • Suzanne D
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 2:37pm

      What, you think that the possibility of rape is enough to keep a qualified woman off the battlefield? When you think about it, why is rape worse than having an electrode attached to your ba**s and turning on the switch? Or being waterboarded? Or having your fingers cut off one by one? Torture is torture, and PATRIOTIC, BRAVE women who believe they are worthy of defending our Country’s interests are NOT DETERRED by being threatened by rape. SHAME ON YOU for thinking women are so cowardly that all you have to do is play the rape card and we will walk away!

      Report Post » Suzanne D  
    • Suzanne D
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 2:41pm

      @ Kryptonite: ON NO, God forbid our sexuality come to an end! Good thing we women have men like you to be good little soldiers FOR US so we don’t have to bother with patriotism at all! You’re a sexist, whether you want to recognize it or not!

      Report Post » Suzanne D  
    • kryptonite
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 2:59pm

      LUKE,
      In the human species, women are not the predators and new-born babies cannot even walk. Do not confuse a human being with an animal.

      Report Post »  
    • kryptonite
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 3:25pm

      @Suzanne D
      God forbid our sexuality come to an end! Good thing we women have men like you to be good little soldiers FOR US so we don’t have to bother with patriotism at all! You’re a sexist, whether you want to recognize it or not!
      —–
      You and Luke confuse human nature, and to a certain extent, culture with sexism. Actually, you might change culture, but there are certain aspects of human nature that can’t be changed. If women are willing to be disfigured and maimed, then go ahead. My point is that they will be treated differently than men, simply because that is human nature. The female was made for the man (by God, not me, so take it up with him if you don’t like it). That’s why from a purely sexual POV, the woman has more fat than muscle (is softer), has curves, has to arouse the man for intercourse to happen, and is altogether more beautiful. Now you may find that insulting or belittling or not worth preserving in a society, but most American men don’t. Different physical traits/qualities and different roles do not mean we are not equal. Jesus is different from the Father, but both are equally God. Jesus was the one who came to be tortured to death. Women are very much patriots, just in a different way. They are the mothers, wives and daughters who are like the Father in heaven who sent his Son. So how is that sexist?

      Report Post »  
    • lukerw
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 4:17pm

      @KRYPT…
      My Science Books cite… Humans are a Preditor Species (all)… and are a class of Mammals of Animals.

      Report Post » lukerw  
    • JohnnyRaiden
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 4:45pm

      Luke~ It’s a rule of thumb, not an absolute. In a majority of species the females are the work horses and are by far more dangerous than the males. It isn’t the case with all animals though, humans being one of those exceptions where the male is better built to fight.

      Report Post »  
    • VanceUppercut
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 4:54pm

      @Jezcruzen
      “Not all women in the military want to experience what will happen to them when (not if) captured. They will be raped repeatedly.”

      They are already raped…by their fellow soldiers. Are you not aware of the appalling number of rapes/sexual assaults in the military and the cover-ups that happen when they are reported, with women being kicked out of the military for daring to report being raped? Come on, sing it with me everybody! “And I’m proud to be an American, where at least I know I’m free!” Come on, you all know it. “And I wont forget the men who died, who gave that right to me. And I gladly stand up, next to you and defend her still today. ‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land, God bless the USA!” But seriously, if you report a rape they’ll kick you out of the armed forces.

      Report Post »  
    • JohnnyRaiden
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 5:19pm

      I’ve heard stories of that happening Vance. Never personally seen it happen before ,but I did see more than a few officers get severely punished solely for being accused of sexual harassment. Former Major friend of mine knew a few people lose command just from an accusation. Doesn’t help though that a disturbingly large number of rape accusations are false, especially when the punishment for military men is so severe.

      Report Post »  
    • kryptonite
      Posted on May 27, 2012 at 5:44am

      @lukerw
      My Science Books cite… Humans are a Preditor Species (all)… and are a class of Mammals of Animals.
      —-
      Yeah, but your science books can’t prove why man has higher-order thinking skills, and all other living creatures on planet Earth don’t. S I’ll believe the Bible which says God created us in his image.

      So women are the best hunters, huh?

      ” According to a comparative study of 71 hunter-gatherer societies, women do not switch to hunting, at least not appreciably so, when opportunities to gather food disappear. They instead become more involved in food processing or in activities unrelated to food (shelter building, garment making, etc.).”
      http://evoandproud.blogspot.com/2008/03/why-didnt-women-hunt.html

      Report Post »  
    • lukerw
      Posted on May 27, 2012 at 11:21am

      @KRYPT…
      Religion & Philophy are about Truth & Meaning; Science is about Fact, Evidence, and Reproducable Results. They are Two DIFFERENT Subjects; You are in Logical Err!

      Report Post » lukerw  
    • kaydeebeau
      Posted on May 27, 2012 at 11:59am

      So can these women meet the standard of the physical requirements or do they have to relax the standard? So for your own vanity you would put your fellow soldiers at risk? You want the same “opportunities” fine if you can meet the same standard, ok. If you can’t sit down and shut up

      Report Post » kaydeebeau  
    • kryptonite
      Posted on May 27, 2012 at 5:52pm

      @lukerw
      Religion & Philophy are about Truth & Meaning; Science is about Fact, Evidence, and Reproducable Results. They are Two DIFFERENT Subjects; You are in Logical Err!
      —–
      Evolution is not a fact. It is a theory based on evolutionists paradigm of reality. Like I said, they have no prove of how man evolved from non-analytical species. They have also failed to replicate the alleged evolutionary (one species to another) stages. All they can PROVE is adaptation. Big deal.

      I never said the Bible was science, but I choose to believe it. You choose to BELIEVE the evolution story.

      As for the hunting fable you posted, I did give you research results disproving your statement.

      Report Post »  
  • Jezreel
    Posted on May 26, 2012 at 10:04am

    Stupid women want to be like men. It is bad enough that they have voting rights and that was partly responsible for Obama being elected. It was a mistake to give women voting rights much less give them combat duty. I am a woman myself and I am ashamed of the women today on how they behave and talk. A bunch of “silly” women, ever learning but never coming to the knowledge of the truth.

    Report Post »  
    • MOLLYPITCHER
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 10:59am

      Jezreel
      There are a lot of stupid women, I agree with you there, and that many want to be like men. But voting rights? give me a break?

      Report Post »  
    • soap on a rope
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 11:19am

      Establish one set of standards for everybody and remove gender from the equation. So long as we handicap for “the weaker sex”, nobody wins. Whoever can meet the standards gets the job and those who don’t do something else.

      Report Post »  
    • lukerw
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 11:25am

      Freedom & Equality… silly?

      Report Post » lukerw  
    • calisun
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 11:52am

      I am ashamed of females like Jezreel. You are an idiot! You sound like a muslim. I am a very feminine female that would be willing to lay down my life for my brother. I would have to be held back by a dozen men to keep me from fighting on the front line. When the SHTF here in this country do you think I am going to sit back, make muffins and clean my man’s undies? Hell No, I will take up arms and defend our freedom.

      Report Post » calisun  
    • PaineSense
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 12:39pm

      There are things that happen in combat units that we don’t tell our closest friends and family…ever. Let alone telling a woman about it. Then theres the weaker gender stuff. I’ve carried over 150lbs including 5 gallons of water in a ruck, plus the 80lbs of ammo and grenades for 203 and such on my rack, over 10 miles in the desert, up and down mountains, then dig a site big enough for 3 guys and equipment, stay in it for 4 days, REAL close with the guys next to you (the only thing that made it not sexual is that we were guys and fully dressed, gotta keep warm baby!).
      I’m sure theres women that can do it, but the standards cannot be lowered EVER! The standard is the bare minimum required to keep everyone alive and theres no guarantee in that!
      Then you have PMS, and emotional, illogical thoughts and actions…oh and when we piss eachother off, we deal with it by beating the hell out of eachother.
      Then the torture stuff. Its already hard enough to resist spilling your beans in an interrogation, now make men react emotionally as the interrogator holds the female team member down and rapes her repeatedly and then cuts get head off…come on ladies! Get in line!

      Report Post »  
    • NHwinter
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 1:05pm

      lukerw

      Freedom & Equality… silly?

      Freedom and Equality are two very different things. I pray we continue to be free, but no two people are equal. Each person has different attributes and talents. They will never be equal.

      Report Post » NHwinter  
    • lukerw
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 1:18pm

      @NHWINTER
      Nasty ole Declaration Of Indepenence… what were they thinking… saying: All Men are Created Equal?

      Report Post » lukerw  
    • kryptonite
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 1:35pm

      @PaineSense
      Thank you for your service, patriot. You are absolutely right. Standards have already been dumbed down everywhere else with bad results, case in pt., Obama.

      You can’t change the fact that higher levels of testosterone make male soldiers physically superior to their female counterparts. Also, men can’t be impregnated by the enemy. I’m not even going to go into PTSD, and how it affects child-rearing. As for rape, there‘s an honor element in ravaging an enemy’s women during war. Muslims abuse their women sexually, yet they raised bloody hell because the Serbs allegedly mass-raped their women during the Bosnian war. Now imagine what it would do to the American male psyche. We protect our women, period.

      @calisun
      The allusion to women fighting in the front lines during the Revolutionary War is misleading. If we ever have to defend American soil again or civil war breaks out, everyone will have to do their best to defend their towns, homes and young children. That is an entirely different scenario to fighting in foreign soil. Our mission there is to strike with overwhelming force and win in the shortest time possible. Only the best can go, and that includes discriminating among men as well.

      This is yet another move to undermine our military and the very fiber of our society. I’ll take those two women seriously when we stop “discriminating” against women athletes here in America.

      Report Post »  
    • ashestoashes
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 2:00pm

      @JEZREEL I replied to you in an above comment..

      Report Post »  
    • Suzanne D
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 2:43pm

      You sicken me. Go back to the 1700′s then.

      Report Post » Suzanne D  
    • NHwinter
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 5:10pm

      lukerw – if you mean women and men should have the equal opportunity to fight and die in war, then perhaps you are right in that sense. Really don’t think that is what they meant. How could we all be equal? Different abilities mean some just cannot do what others can do. So, we are not equal. But, equal when it comes to justice and living a free life.

      Report Post » NHwinter  
    • lukerw
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 6:08pm

      @NHWINTER
      I think… Equal is used to apply to aplication of Freedom… but I am content with sharing Work, Manual or Mental, with others and between Sexes, where I say that they perform Equally well. Given our Unique & Individual Being, we are Equal in the Sense of Clones… rather our Talents & Ablities are nodes upon Scales… where, in fact, Male & Female individuals can be Equal.

      Report Post » lukerw  
    • LOTO
      Posted on May 27, 2012 at 7:34pm

      Well, she does have a point, maybe we could at least take away the vote of the ones that vote Democrat.

      Report Post » LOTO  
  • ValidFib
    Posted on May 26, 2012 at 9:52am

    A woman captured would be raped repeatily. Also, woman’s physique is not equal to a mans. It’s not discrimination when a culture res[pects differences and protects their women from harm.

    Common sense is no longer common.

    Report Post » ValidFib  
    • yathink
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 11:04am

      Yup not only that, mutilated, dismembered and chopped up into little tiny pieces. You know for the mental effect.

      Report Post » yathink  
    • lukerw
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 11:29am

      And… when the Turks (Caliphate Muslims) captured… Lawrence of Araba… they Sodomized him!

      War is Hell… Grow Up!

      Report Post » lukerw  
    • Suzanne D
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 2:48pm

      1) The possibility of rape is NOT a deterrent for a patriotic woman to serve in a combat position; 2) rape is NO DIFFERENT than any other form of torture; 3) statistics from countries that permit women to fight in battle prove you are WRONG. If you don’t believe me, I invite you to come on down to SW Florida and see which of us will win a game of endurance, intellect and cunning. And TRUST ME, there aren’t many men who would be able to beat me.

      Report Post » Suzanne D  
  • Rickfromillinois
    Posted on May 26, 2012 at 9:45am

    When I was in the Army there were different standards for the PT test. Men had to do more pushups, sit ups, and run faster then the women. I believe that is still the case. Early in my career I was an M-60 gunner. The weight of all of my equipment, the machine gun, ammunition, and rucksack with food for 3 days and other items weighed 120 lbs. How many women could carry that much weight let alone walk mile after mile with it? So you get a few women in each infantry company if any. That means that those women need to have their own latrines, showers, and rooms in the barracks, or more importantly in the field. There were many occasions where I got a shower only when it started raining and I stripped down a took it in the open. Will woman be willing to strip down where maybe as many as 100 men can see them or will they need to be transported somewhere else where they can get cleaned up?

    There are some things that need to be taken into account whether they are pc or not. Men are generally much physically stronger then woman, larger, more aggressive. Yes there are acceptations. There are men who are physically weaker, but most of them aren’t able to get into combat arms in the first place. There are also women who are stronger then many men, but how many? What would it cost and how much would have to be done during missions to accommodate them? If women can do the job without disrupting the combat readiness of a unit fine, if not, no.

    Report Post » Rickfromillinois  
    • lukerw
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 11:34am

      Yeh… and those little Japanese guys… in WWII… were easy to beat?

      Report Post » lukerw  
    • SwordAndShield_ofTruth
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 12:18pm

      Do not compare real gender differences to racist stereotypes luker, it just makes you look ignorant

      Report Post »  
    • lukerw
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 1:21pm

      @SWORD…
      I bet I can find… a little gal… who can kick your butt!

      Report Post » lukerw  
    • kryptonite
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 2:20pm

      @Rickfromillinois
      Will woman be willing to strip down where maybe as many as 100 men can see them or will they need to be transported somewhere else where they can get cleaned up?
      ——
      Thanks for your service, patriot.

      Not to mention what it would do to the 100 men. But who cares? Men aren’t suppose to feel like men or react like men when women are in their face in the middle of a combat zone. Deal with it, men. Give those feminists, who put themselves before country, all that their petty selfish hearts demand.

      Report Post »  
    • kryptonite
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 2:27pm

      @lukerw
      I bet I can find… a little gal… who can kick your butt!
      ——
      Is that the voice of experience speaking? Hahahahaha.

      Report Post »  
    • kryptonite
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 2:54pm

      0ops! read: “supposed to”

      Report Post »  
    • Suzanne D
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 2:55pm

      @ Kryptonite: oh, so now women who want to fight in battle are “petty” and “selfish”? What country did you grown up in … Afganistan? News bulletin: ANY PERSON, male OR female, who fights for his or her Country’s interests is a PATRIOT. HOW DARE YOU denigrate a person’s heartfelt desire to defend her Country by calling her petty and selfish? Your sexism actually makes me sick.

      Report Post » Suzanne D  
    • kryptonite
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 3:30pm

      Suzanne D
      ANY PERSON, male OR female, who fights for his or her Country’s interests
      ——-
      First, calm down, Suzanne. Second, I agree with that definition (underscore “interests”). Now why is it that men who are rejected don’t sue the military? Figure that one out, and then maybe you will understand what I am saying.

      Report Post »  
    • Rickfromillinois
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 4:14pm

      Upper body strength. Carrying heavy loads for hours and miles. Believe it or not, combat arms soldiers are not always just driven up to pre-dug fighting positions stocked with food, water, and ammunition and just have to fire their weapons at the enemy. Most of the time they have have to carry their supplies, ammunition, and weapons on their backs. Why is it that we never hear of women screaming that their PT tests should be exactly the same as males, and not by lowering the male PT test? What would be the response if the military decided to punish females who get pregnant while in a combat zone the same as they would a male who purposely injured themselves to get out of a dangerous situation? It shouldn’t be a matter of fairness. It shouldn’t be a matter of giving someone who wants to fight the opportunity to do so. I should be a matter of accomplishing the mission and not putting other people’s lives at risk in order to accommodate other people.

      Report Post » Rickfromillinois  
  • Sirfoldallot
    Posted on May 26, 2012 at 9:42am

    Gay’s & women, men play ur X-box, drink a beer. U can relax now we r all safe now !!

    Report Post » Sirfoldallot  
  • Butteredpopkorn
    Posted on May 26, 2012 at 9:37am

    Fellow American citizens ………this is not about serving on a combat front.

    Reserves.?????? Not full service ???

    This is about suing and running up the tab on the citizens via court cost.
    Money will be given to “friends” in the DOJ to defend this. If they lose their cost will still be paid by us. This is to create a distraction and once again to divide men and woman, turn brother against brother, sister against sister, believers against non believers, good vs evil.

    Stop taking the bait America.

    Report Post »  
    • Rickfromillinois
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 4:30pm

      Women in the Israeli Army? Yes, but not in their combat arms units. They are in support and security forces. There have been cases where they helped defend positions as part of security forces, but when a position is threatened with being over run, everybody fights. The Russians did have some all female combat units in WW2. Their casualty rates were approximately 50% higher then other all male units. The units were quickly taken out of the combat area. As Patton said, the idea is not to die for your country. The idea is to make the other poor bast*** die for his.

      Report Post » Rickfromillinois  
  • momprayn
    Posted on May 26, 2012 at 9:35am

    I see this analagous to the strategies the liberals/Communists/Marxist people use to weaken us and eventually take us over…..this is another concept that will weaken the military. It’s the same old story – they use “useful idiots” like women libbers, like they have in the past – to protest & nag until it’s done (like they did with abortion)..
    Re the combat issue – it’s another common sense thing ( no, not a “right” or unfair discrimination). It’s not about “brains”, it’s about biology, wisdom and the facts that women are weaker physically, have monthly cycles that create havoc with many women re their emotions, reactions, etc.as well as physical pain (and not able to control) that could affect how effective they will respond in combat – and putting others in danger – think about it. You’re all ready to shoot someone and all of a sudden you get cramps – you drop or move your gun, trigger goes off (or change your mind). . And yes, you have the stuff about the natural inclination of men to protect them that may cause problems.
    Also more unstable emotionally. There are wise reasons why they are banned. If they want to serve – do it in an area it doesn’t have these situations.
    The women who do this are more of the unstable, unhappy feminists who are troublemakers.
    Men need to learn not to “cow tow” and be intimidated by them. If you do, in my opinion, you are not patriotic and you’re a wimp, foolish & putting our national security at risk.

    Report Post »  
    • ValidFib
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 9:55am

      Exactly. It’s about weaking us further. It’s coming from all sides now – top down, buttom up and inside out. Stand strong America and call them out. America can smell a rat.

      Report Post » ValidFib  
    • yathink
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 10:59am

      Ya what she said, just not a good idea.

      Report Post » yathink  
    • lukerw
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 11:38am

      Better get that to the Israeli Army… they keep winning Wars with Female Troops!

      Report Post » lukerw  
    • Popp40
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 3:21pm

      @LUKERW……I believe that the women in the Israeli army have meet the same standards that the men do when it comes to PT. They do not lower the standards just because they are women….

      Report Post »  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on May 27, 2012 at 1:24pm

      LUKERW, The IDF removed females from front line units decades ago. Only now there is a commission recommending that females be allowed to serve in those types of units again.

      http://www.haaretz.com/news/idf-commission-to-recommend-women-soldiers-serve-in-all-units-1.229482

      Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
  • velenda760
    Posted on May 26, 2012 at 9:34am

    If these women can pass EXISTING guide lines, for the jobs in combat that they want, and want to die for their country, I say, go for it………Thank you for your service…
    However do not lower today’s standards to make it easier for these two females trying to make it in a mans world. These men should not have to change anything to accommodate these women, not their high standards of practice or their behaviors of communication. The sexual harassment charges for telling a dirty joke while they are standing around will not be tolerated, ever. The special needs, not happening…….
    These women are going into THEIR environment and these females better remember that.. You were not invited because, like it or not, their are just some things we cannot do and some places we just do not belong and in the middle of a war is one of them…………
    Women do not protect themselves from abusive relationships, how are they going to protect a whole Nation…………… Nope, I will keep my life in the hands of a MAN, that history has proven, over and over again, that can not only he protect me, but he will lay his life down for me and others.
    This is not the movies, real lives are at stake…………..
    Take take take take take i am sick of it all

    Report Post »  
    • SK223
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 10:48am

      If these women can pass EXISTING guide lines, for the jobs in combat that they want, and want to die for their country, I say, go for it………Thank you for your service…

      Report Post »  
  • TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
    Posted on May 26, 2012 at 9:29am

    This old Soldier says nothing good will come of it except much hand wringing in the future. I dare not elaborate…

    But I will say that I was glad I was a Drill Sergeant wayyyy back in the day in an ALL MALE Combat Arms environment in an ALL MALE MOS (Military Occupational Specialty), at a virtually ALL MALE Army Installation. The discipline problems were limited to your regular guy GI and trainee dumb stuff…

    The dumb stuff got worse when women became more prevalent throughout the Army and just got worse from there. Women and men together in such close quarters never equals a good thing. Just the way it is… fact.

    Report Post » TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12  
    • TIME_2_END_THE_GOP_IN_12
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 11:44am

      @Time
      Works for the Israel Defense Forces. Plus then we could not only send our young men off to die in some mud hut invested land , but our young ladies too. Oh, we already do that?

      Report Post » TIME_2_END_THE_GOP_IN_12  
    • TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 12:20pm

      Little Ronnie Paul Rumpled Suit…. IS THAT YOU, or just a Ron Paul Action Figure for the dope smoking, child porn and prostitution cause? lmao. Stawwwwp the warrrrrr- mawngerrrring for the Jewwwws you neeeo-cawns… lol.

      Report Post » TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12  
    • West Coast Patriot
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 3:49pm

      Time_2,

      42 USC 1971 – Sec. 1971. Voting rights
      …
      (b) Intimidation, threats, or coercion No person, whether acting under color of law or otherwise, shall intimidate, threaten, coerce, or attempt to intimidate, threaten, or coerce any other person for the purpose of interfering with the right of such other person to vote or to vote as he may choose, or of causing such other person to vote for, or not to vote for, any candidate for the office of President, Vice President, presidential elector, Member of the Senate, or Member of the House of Representatives, Delegates or Commissioners from the Territories or possessions, at any general, special, or primary election held solely or in part for the purpose of selecting or electing any such candidate.

      This means that delegates cannot be bound to vote for any candidate for the nomination for President, Vice President, etc….

      Rule 38 adheres to this Federal Law. There WILL be over 1144 Paul supporters as delegates at the convention and they will ALL vote for Paul on the first round. Federal law trumps any state law.

      Report Post » West Coast Patriot  
    • TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
      Posted on May 27, 2012 at 9:30am

      LEFTCOAST. Lmao. Say hello to Jim Jones Jr down there in the jungle. And DON’T DRINK ANYTHING that looks like Kool-aid…

      Report Post » TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12  
    • Wat Tyler
      Posted on May 28, 2012 at 4:47pm

      TIME_2_END_THE_JEWISH_ISRAELI_STRANGLEHOLD_ON AMERIKA_TODAY:

      Discrimination? It seems to only work in one direction. What about the buzz-cut? Only men need to sport the macho buzz-cut. Women can wear their hair any length they want in the military.

      What about registering for the draft? Only men must. Yet they have women on local draft boards deciding the fate of men.

      The males of this society have long since lost their b@lls or this wouldn’t be happening. P*ssywhipped little man-b*tches they are.

      Now that’s discrimination!

      Report Post » Wat Tyler  
  • TWO BITS
    Posted on May 26, 2012 at 9:27am

    It is factual that many women have been killed or badly wounded in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. It seems illogical, considering that information, but the treatment by Muslims of their own women and children guarantees that Americans won’t be concerned about career advancement as we witness the fate of female soldiers who are captured by the enemy.

    Report Post » TWO BITS  
  • jnobfan
    Posted on May 26, 2012 at 9:26am

    Another example of Liberals never think things through.

    If she wins her case “for Women” and my now 15 year old son is drafted when he gets out of high school to go fight on foreign sand somewhere guess what miss womens lib?

    He’s going to be standing in line with not just his fellow football players but the cheerleaders, flag wavers and the Pom Pom girls or he’s not going. Happy now?

    Report Post »  
  • progressiveslayer
    Posted on May 26, 2012 at 9:16am

    Here’s a good argument for women in combat. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1urLh8Kh_9A

    Report Post » progressiveslayer  
  • OnceAlways
    Posted on May 26, 2012 at 8:54am

    RRFLYER. Exactly right! And they themselves will never have to serve a day in combat. Typical of those who protest loudest for this “cause.”

    Report Post »  
  • rickc34
    Posted on May 26, 2012 at 8:52am

    As a society we have been taught to cherish and protect the women . To keep them safe from harm not to put them in peril. I guess things are changing as we move further from God and his word. I also know that until we get rid of porn we will always have sexual deviants the prey upon women. I am a blessed man with 4 generations of women in my life. I could not imagine any of them on the front line or giving them a rifle for mothers day.

    Report Post »  
    • deerfawn
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 9:22am

      I wouldn’t mind the rifle for mothers day, but women in combat no. I really do not understand women today. I know I’d never want my daughters in combat.

      Report Post »  
    • SovereignSoul
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 6:48pm

      Having been there, I don”t want my sons in combat either.

      Report Post » SovereignSoul  
  • momrules
    Posted on May 26, 2012 at 8:52am

    I have never thought that women should be in combat situation in the military. Not because they aren’t smart or capable but because they, for the most part, can’t compete with their male counterparts.
    Also there is the real possibility of the danger they could cause the men because of the innate masculine protectiveness towards women.

    But if the women are determined that they want to be in combat then let them only put them in women only units. I don’t know if that would work or not, maybe.

    Report Post »  
    • nzkiwi
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 9:31am

      Well, Mom, I’m right behind them (figuratively speaking).

      The number of women who are likely to apply to put themselves in harm’s way in the service of their country is undoubtably going to be few. Let’s face it, physical requirements of the job would not only exclude most women, but also, at this stage in my life, me.

      I would be happy to be a truck driver, but my days of carrying a thirty kilo load and running uphill are over.

      If they qualify, let them do it.

      And bless them for wishing to do so.

      And, in regard to there ability to kill, well, let’s just say that I believe that it is not gender specific. There are some women of my aquaintence whom would be advisable to treat with respect.

      Report Post »  
    • Suzanne D
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 3:04pm

      I usually agree with what you write, but I couldn’t disagree more with your position on this. You simply cannot make a blanket statement that women can’t compete with men … because the fact is that there are MANY of us who CAN. I happen to be one of them. Am I huge and physically assuming? No … quite the opposite. I am only 5′1″ … BUT I am also a body builder who (when I’m in peak shape) can bench 130# and run for miles without stopping. I also work in a heavy, physically demanding occupation. The fact is that not all men are psychologically and physically suited for battle … so why not let women be subject to the VERY SAME CRITERIA that men are so women who are unsuited are weeded out? To refuse to even CONSIDER a woman who is patriotic enough to want to fight for her Country is discriminatory and downright UNAMERICAN.

      Report Post » Suzanne D  
    • JohnnyRaiden
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 5:06pm

      Suzan, you said it yourself. Your a body builder. Special. Different from the majority. I didn’t work with any women when I was in ,but one of my friends did and he hated how she received special treatment. He was a crewchief and she never carried her own toolbox. Always needed help to move it. He said she was pretty good at her job ,but always needed help moving her tools to and from. I’m all for equality, as long as the standards are the same from bmt onward.

      Report Post »  
    • ScubaChris
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 6:24pm

      SuzzaneD,

      You are incorrect. Just because you can bench 130 lbs, does not mean you can hump 130 lbs for 10+ miles on a force march. There is a difference between lifting/benching 130 lbs an actually carrying that for many miles at a set pace with few, if any, breaks. You and many others may fool yourself into think you can, but I am here, as someone who has done it, to let you know, I really doubt YOU could.

      Running 5 miles a day, is nothing, anyone can run, if they put their mind to it.

      As an infantryman, actually just being a male in the Army, I always watched the young ladies, even some of the prettier older ones! :) but honestly after watching REMF units doing PT/PT Tests, I just don’t see many women, actually no women actually being able to pass the men standards to be in the infantry.

      I watched women being allowed to do sit-ups down hill, push-ups up hill, and their slow 2 mile run could be walked at a fast pace. I had friends in those REMF units who always talked about how the girls never were made to carry the heavy boxes/gear it was always shoved off on the men. I won’t get into how just claiming sexual harassment against a male in the Army ended their career, even if it wasn’t true, which most of the time it wasn’t.

      YOU claim you supposedly could pass current standards for Infantry, I say you can’t.

      There is a big difference in what you say you can do, and what has to be done. BIG DIFFERENCE.

      Report Post »  
    • Rickfromillinois
      Posted on May 27, 2012 at 8:52am

      @Suzanne D – “BUT I am also a body builder who (when I’m in peak shape) can bench 130# and run for miles without stopping”.

      Now take that 130 lbs that you can bench when in peak shape, and both walk and sometimes run with it on your back for those miles that you are talking about. Then start digging fighting positions and preparing an area for defense. Now, just how many other women can do the same and just how much will have to be done to accommodate those few women.

      Report Post » Rickfromillinois  
  • progressiveslayer
    Posted on May 26, 2012 at 8:49am

    The women claim they have a constitutional right to be in combat units? Someone needs to point that out to me because I don’t believe it states women have a right to be in combat units.

    They say they want the same standards used to determine if you can be in combat units regardless of gender.Yes like they do for firefighters where the standards are lowered for women so the department can meet it’s quota.

    Report Post » progressiveslayer  
  • RightPolitically
    Posted on May 26, 2012 at 8:49am

    We’ll, women succeeded in winning this point in fire and police work across the country, and they will win with the military too. After they do, some men will sue to make it compulsory and not voluntary for women to do so. Once again, it is the more than predictable “slippery slope,” like with most things. Foot in the door, promises that they’ll be limits and then, WHAMMO, THE SKY’S THE LIMIT! Works this way always. One prime example that most of us would agree on is the IRS and taxes. When in 1916 or so the law allowing federal income taxes to be collected, something like 3% was ABSOLUTELY PROMISED TO BE IT’S LIMIT. Need I say more?

    Report Post » RightPolitically  
  • Individualism
    Posted on May 26, 2012 at 8:48am

    Women are lucky in that case, cause they always have an option to get like 86k of pay, average solders pay with benefits amounts to that, and they don’t have to risk their lives that much, um how cool is that?

    Report Post » Individualism  
  • progressiveslayer
    Posted on May 26, 2012 at 8:39am

    Women will also destroy the special operations group next,it’s a natural progression and one day it will happen.

    Report Post » progressiveslayer  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 8:44am

      NBC, ABC and CBS can have nightly coverage of our women POWs to speed up the U.S. surrender in every conflict. Just the way they want it.

      Report Post » Gonzo  
  • watashbuddyfriend
    Posted on May 26, 2012 at 8:37am

    This story is not worth amy more comment, from me!

    Report Post »  
  • carl_in_ohio
    Posted on May 26, 2012 at 8:36am

    suing? Really?
    I don’t see that in the UCMJ?
    this is the military…it isn’t an employment agency.

    So, in order for her to serve in combat, do separate field latrine facilities need to be made?
    does she get separate showering facilities/bunking aboard ship?
    if she becomes pregnant, does she still deploy – at a moment’s notice.
    Same fitness exam?

    its bad enough when we have to see our sons wounded in the line of duty…we now would see our daughters too?

    Report Post »  
  • loriann12
    Posted on May 26, 2012 at 8:34am

    OK, Libs, get ready to flame me. First, I served my country in the United States Navy, during the cold war. My rate never went to sea. There were a couple billets on a research ship, but at that time they only sent males, so I had no chance of going to sea. They had a billet in Japan, but the Japanese won’t work for a woman, so they only sent men. Due to this fact, they limited how many people were in that rate. I agree with that. If you want to see combat, sign up for an MOS (or whatever the Army calls it) that sees combat. The article says her job wasn’t combat rated. That said, I also agree (at least with the Navy) that combat units should limit the number of females or it causes the rotation to shore duty longer for the males. Personally, I don’t think women should be in combat situations. Not because they can’t handle it, but because they’re a distraction to the men, just like gays are.

    Report Post »  
  • Altair
    Posted on May 26, 2012 at 8:32am

    A CSM and a colonel are whining that their careers have been stunted ?

    Now that DADT has been abolished, these bull dykes have moved on to something else to whine about.

    Report Post »  
    • momrules
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 8:57am

      Stunted careers does seem a petty reason to want women in combat roles doesn’t it?

      Report Post »  
    • Altair
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 9:45am

      MOM, in case I didn’t make my point clear, a CSM (Command Sergeant Major) is the highest enlisted rank attainable, and colonel is a rank just short of general. They have had stellar careers, quite possibly aided by affirmative action.

      Report Post »  
  • RRFlyer
    Posted on May 26, 2012 at 8:28am

    and when they get the draft back every generation of women from now on will be cursing them.

    Report Post »  
    • Oldphoto678
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 8:35am

      I’d love to see the draft come back. I’m sick of armchair patriots.

      Report Post »  
    • HiredMind Blog
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 3:48pm

      I think women owe the men of this country a couple hundred years of service. I move for an immediate draft of all able-bodied females into the military, where they will serve ONLY in combat. I figure about 20 years of service should pay off this debt.

      Report Post »  
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