Women in Active Combat Roles
Abstract
The female Marine described above is attached to an all-male combat unit. Her primary duty while attached is to search female indigenous personnel that the unit encounters. However, she gets placed in a position where she will be exposed to hostile fire and contact with the enemy. She is forced to defend herself in a manner that is equivalent to serving in a combat MOS by engaging that threat. Despite the fact that women are exposed to combat scenarios every day, the United States military is not ready for full acceptance of women into combat arms jobs. Many combat units cannot continue to operate effectively with the integration of women. Units that transition from all-male to an integrated personnel roster often experience challenges and issues because of their new females. Therefore, before women are granted the opportunity to perform in an active combat role, the armed forces must embrace the reality that women can physically handle combat, and that units with females can operate as effectively as those without. The United States Armed Forces are not completely ready for the changes that are taking place. Soldiers and Marines in all ranks still believe that insurmountable challenges are presented by having women integrated in combat units. The women who are physically capable of handling combat need only a few minor considerations in terms of hygiene to be able to operate in a male unit. The Army and Marine Corps will soon adapt and be able to show that women are indeed qualified to participate in combat from a fitness standpoint. The challenges presented to unit cohesion by having women in combat units can be solved by further integration and development of knowledge throughout the rank structure. These truths can and will be accepted by the Army and Marine Corps as they welcome women more fully into every occupational specialty.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 20, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA510296
Entities
People
- C. L. Bala
Organizations
- Marine Corps University