Women Should be Allowed in Combat
Introduction
Women have, in specific cases, already proven themselves in war after war, yet not all current laws and policies prohibiting women from direct combat roles have been overturned. This not only denies women equal rights for which The U.S. Declaration of Independence states is the function of government to secure, it denies women the opportunity to engage and excel in their chosen occupation. This also denies the military from benefiting from the efforts of women in jobs where they are restricted or denied, and it keeps those women in a state of forced inferiority. It is the position of this paper that to facilitate the securing of inalienable rights for all humans, men and women, to further the utilitarian goals of utilizing sources of untapped talent in wartime situations, and to foster greater understanding and respect among the sexes as they work together as equals; the military should take the lead in opening current restricted and denied jobs to women who want them and meet all relevant qualifications.
Proposition
Resolved: women should be allowed in ground combat roles.
Historical perspective
The Declaration of Independence states that all men (meaning all humans, male and female), are created equal. Although this document was signed in 1776, it was not until 1865 that slavery was prohibited by the Constitution (U.S. Constitution, Amend. 13); it was not until 1870 that citizens, males only, of all races were allowed to vote (U.S. Constitution, Amend. 15); and it was not until 1920, 143 years after the Declaration was signed, that women were included with the citizens who were allowed to vote (U.S. Constitution, Amend. 20).
Nearly 1.8 million women have served in the military since American Military History began with the American Revolution. Women disguised themselves as men, "…400 women did so" during the Civil War (Hightower 4); 49,500 women were involved in World War I; 350,000 women wore military uniforms in World War II, "57,000 Army, 11,000 Navy nurses, 100,000 WACs, 18,000 Women Marines, 86,000 Waves, and 11,000 SPARS." (Breuer 5)
The military had segregated units in World War II, and women took jobs in factories to support the war effort. Today, great strides have been taken to end racial segregation in the military, and women perform numerous support roles working side by side with men. However, women are still prohibited, by policies and congressional laws extending from 1948 and earlier, from direct combat roles (Women’s Armed Services Act of 1948).
In recent years, more and more opportunities have come open for women in aviation and in everything except direct, ground combat units. In 1993, Defense Secretary Les Aspin lifted the ban on women in combat aviation jobs and directed the Navy to begin assignment of women to combat ships (Sia 7).
Contentions
Contentions supporting the position of this paper are as follows:
1.) The military must recognize the equal rights of men and women.
2.) The military must utilize sources of untapped talent in wartime situations.
3.) The military must take the lead in fostering greater understanding and respect between the sexes as they work together as equals.
Argumentation supporting each contention follows:
1.) The military must recognize the equal rights of men and women.
A counterargument might be that the language use in the Declaration of Independence is meaningless. It is just something which sounds nice and may have mattered one but is no longer valid. Morality is man made, and the Declaration of Independence is outdated. No, humans are still humans, and human rights still apply. Any position that some humans are more or less human is racist or sexist, something to be avoided, and certainly not what the framers of the Declaration of Independence had in mind.
"I don't think people really consider whether they are men or women in the service," says Darlene Mayes, who learned that her daughter was one of three women reservists to have been killed in a Scud missile attack on Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. "I just say they're a person."(“Stars and Stripes,” Feb. 1991.)
From the 19th century, Susan B. Anthony stated, "The only question left to be settled now is, are women persons" (Anthony, 1872)?
If the Declaration of Independence refers to both men and women as being equal, all persons being equal, then it is in the spirit of that principle that the government ought to secure the equal rights of both men and women. If certain combat jobs were opened to women, then other opportunities and promotions would also be open to them. However, if individuals are kept in a state of inferiority, then many individuals will remain inferior.
Equal rights does not mean that all women must perform all the same jobs as men, but for the qualified women who choose certain jobs, it is only fair, in keeping with the spirit of that sentiment in the Declaration, that statement of self-evident natural law, that they be allowed to pursue those jobs.
2.) Women represent a source of untapped talent which could be useful in a wartime situation.
A counter argument might be that women cannot handle certain jobs, that certain jobs are men’s work. That women are more suited for office jobs and supporting men who do men’s work.
Women already work side by side with men in support roles. Many women are also in leadership roles which would be difficult to replace should their units be called into combat.
There may be some differences with women and men, but the principle of untapped talent is the same as when professional baseball and basketball had only white leagues which did not mix with black leagues? It was found that white leagues missed out on the talent that black players could offer.
In 1995, Army researchers came up with a new study that concludes that, when a woman is correctly trained, she can be as tough as any man (Harman, 1995).
The report by the US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine at Natick, MA was led by senior analyst Everett Harman. "You don't need testosterone to get strong," Harman concluded. Through a regimen of regular jogging, weight training, and other rigorous exercise, more that 75 percent of the 41 women studied were able to prepare themselves to successfully perform duties traditionally performed by males in the military. Before training, less than 25 percent of the women were capable of performing the tasks. All but one of the females were civilian volunteers, and none had previously adopted a routine of strenuous physical activity. The women included lawyers, mothers, students, and bartenders. Several had recently had children and thought the training would put them back in shape. They were unaware that their performance might eventually be used to topple one of the last citadels of bias against women in both the military and society. The 24-week training study began in May 1995 with women spending 90 minutes a day, five days a week, building themselves up for endurance tests. They ran a two-mile wooded course wearing a 75-pound rucksack and performed squats holding a 100-pound barbell on their shoulders. Nationally certified trainers oversaw the conditioning.(Pisik 11)
3.)Men and women working together as equals can only lead to greater understanding and respect between the sexes.
A counterargument might be that women will distract men and get in the way, causing problems. They won’t be able to pull their own weight. Men will have to watch their language and behave in ways they would not behave if they worked with only men. Experience has taught how segregation leads to prejudice and fear of certain social groups by others. Two institutions in our society have done much to eliminate such problems. Those institutions are public school and the military. They have, in many places, brought people together who would otherwise have remained isolated. They have taught us a little about each other and helped us to work together. Although problems still exist, much of the ignorance and bigotry of the past is behind us now. Perhaps it can be the same with men and women.
In 1997, two researchers from the RAND's National Defense Research Institute concluded that, overall, women can serve in a much wider range of units and career fields than they could in 1993 but that sharp differences exist among services. Furthermore, integration of women has had a small effect on readiness, cohesion, and morale--leadership, training, and the unit workload are perceived as having a far more profound influence.
Any divisions caused by gender were minimal or invisible in units with high cohesion. Gender was reported as a secondary issue in units that had conflicting groups, and then it took a back seat to divisions along work group or rank lines. When it was perceived as having a negative effect, it was generally because gender is one way that people break into categories when conflict surfaces, because structures or organizational behavior highlight gender differences, or because dating occurs within a unit. Not all gender effects are negative. The presence of women was also cited as raising the level of professional standards. (Harrell 1997)
Plan
A simple two plank plan which meets the needs expressed in each contentions and
implements the proposition follows:
- Effective immediately, combat MOS's shall be open to all soldiers, without regard to gender, who otherwise meet all current physical and academic standards. This can be accomplished with a simple adjustment of military regulations.
(This must also consider the reclassification and transfer of service members who become pregnant or otherwise fall short of standards during assignments in combat MOS's)
2. Facilities accommodating female service members shall be delegated by the 1st Sergeants and be respected by all soldiers. As is currently the case, 1st Sergeants are in charge of facilities for all soldiers.
(As is happening currently, any occurrences or reports of harassment or discrimination will be reported and processed. Violators will be punished.)
Conclusion
This plan meets the needs of the contentions in that it 1.) recognizes the equal rights of men and women; 2.) utilizes a source of untapped talent; and 3.) allows for the possibility of greater understanding and respect between the sexes.
Women should be allowed in direct, ground combat roles.
End Notes
1. U.S. Constitution, Amendment 13
2. U.S. Constitution, Amendment 15
3. U.S. Constitution, Amendment 20
4. Hightower, Kathie. "Women who made a difference." Army Times 3 Nov. 1997
5. Breuer, William B. War And American Women: Heroism, Deeds, And Controversy. Westport, Connecticut, London: Praeger, 1997.
6. Women's Armed Services Integration Act of 1948, signed into law by Herry S. Truman, established status for women in the military but also combat exclusions.
7.Richard H.P. Sia, "Aspin Clears Way for Women to Fly in Combat, Prepares More Changes," Baltimore Sun (April 29, 1993)
8. "Stars and Stripes, European edition," article, Feb. 1991.
9. Anthony, Susan B., Speech after being convicted of voting in the 1872 Presidential Election.
http://gos.sbc.edu/a/anthony.html
10. Harman, Everett. "US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine" Natick, MA 1995
11. Pisik, Betsy. "Military Women Exercise Power Potential." Working Woman July-Aug. 1996
12. Harrell, Margaret C. and Miller, Laura L. RAND's National Defense Research Institute, New Opportunities for Military Women: Effects on Readiness, Cohesion, and Morale. 1997<http://www.rand.org/publications/MR/MR896/>
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