Women in Direct Combat: What Is the Price for Equality
Abstract
This monograph examines whether allowing women in direct combat assignments in the U.S. Army will adversely affect unit cohesion and as a result, degrade combat effectiveness. To answer this question the monograph conducts a theoretical analysis of the nature of war to establish the relationship between the unit, combat, and cohesion. From this analysis, a model of cohesion is developed to assist in an investigation and assessment of historical precedents of women serving in direct combat and current issues. The monograph concludes with recommendations concerning present U.S. Army policy regarding the assignment of women to direct combat units The theoretical analysis reviews the physical, cybernetic, and moral domains of war which establishes a framework to define the elements of cohesion as they relate to the destructive process of combat. From this analysis a model is developed which pictorially represents these relationships. The monograph then uses the model to evaluate historical precedents and current issues. Women fighting as members the Soviet Army during WWII and Israeli Army during the War for Independence form the historical basis for the evaluation. Current issues include: physiological and psychological studies to provide data to evaluate relative physical and mental capabilities, a comparative analysis of women serving as guerrillas, police, and firemen, as well as, a review of the Canadian Forces' experience with gender integration. From this assessment, the monograph concludes that allowing women to serve in direct combat units would reduce cohesion and subsequently combat effectiveness.... Women in combat, Nature of war, Unit cohesion, Direct combat, Domains of war.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 12, 1992
- Accession Number
- ADA262626
Entities
People
- Marc I. Alderman
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College