Infantrypersons.
Abstract
Currently, law and policy preclude women in American armed forces from serving in ground combat duty positions. This monograph discusses both the trend to reverse the combat exclusion policies and the opportunity which currently exists to try integrating women into the United States Army Infantry. Should the U.S. national leadership mandate that women be fully included in every military occupational specialty, Army leaders can be prepared with an effective integration plan. That plan involves introducing women at each level of command within the brigade from rifle squad member through platoon leadership to brigade staff officer-- simultaneously. Implementation could be exercised in peace time at the Army's own pace. Rushing the process will increase the potential for loss of unit cohesion and risks a decrease in combat effectiveness. The monograph first examines available published and unpublished literature on women in ground combat positions and positions proximate to ground combat to assess physical and mental potential for females to execute ground combat duties. A local survey of female CGSC officers examined current attitudes among professionally competitive officers concerning desire to serve in ground combat--specifically in the infantry. Altitudes survey data and physical testing are compiled and presented in graphic form to show that some women can, and some women want, to serve as ground combatants. The overlap of the two groups are infantry candidates. Conclusions are that minimum physical standards for service in Infantry Branch would maximize potential for increasing combat effectiveness while allowing the most capable soldiers of both sexes to contribute to the ground fight. Physical screening criteria might include load- carrying, running, jumping, and digging tasks along with existing mental aptitude minimums. Application of the standards would d
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 14, 1995
- Accession Number
- ADA309829
Entities
People
- Lester W. Knotts
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College