Implications of Women in the Infantry: Will This Improve Combat Efficiency?
Abstract
After the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell in September 2011, there was a renewed fervor to rid the military of one of the last perceived barriers to equality in the armed forces: a full repeal of the Combat Exclusion Policy (CEP). The influence of this pressure was evident in numerous bills introduced to Congress in May 2012 regarding the CEP and a lawsuit filed November 2012 against former Secretary of Defense, Leon Panetta. If the military exists solely to fight and win wars, then the basis for pursing such change in military structure should center on how and why it improves military fighting efficiency and capability, not how and why it improves gender equality. The military has a moral imperative to put the best and most physically capable combatant in its combat arms MOS, primarily the infantry. From a social and political perspective, integration of females in the infantry will no doubt increase gender equality and female career enhancement; however, from a military perspective, it will decrease efficiency in infantry related close combat. As such, the current male standard for the infantry should remain unchanged.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 22, 2013
- Accession Number
- ADA601581
Entities
People
- Justin D. Powell
Organizations
- Marine Corps University