A long debated and controversial subject, women in the infantry is a topic that has recently made headlines. After Defense Secretary Leon Panetta gave the go ahead to do away with direct combat exclusion for women in the military, many came out to voice their opinions on whether or not it was a good idea. Opinions vary, and the same question is brought up. Are women up to the task? Here is a female Marine’s perspective on female grunts.
My opinion is that women should be able to make the decision to join an infantry unit, with one requirement: she must be one tough gal. Females, like males, come in all shapes, sizes and attitudes. I know some women that would never make it in an infantry unit, but then I know some men that wouldn’t be able to either. If women want to be placed in infantry units, they should be held to the same physical standards as men, and go through the same training. With letting females join the infantry, the draft and selective service are brought up as well. As of Jan 24th, this has been posted on the Selective Service website:
Even though the Secretary of Defense has decided to allow women in combat jobs, the law has not been changed to include this. Consequently, only men are currently required to register by law with Selective Service during ages 18 thru 25. Women still do not register.
How will this new policy affect the Selective Service in the future? If women are allowed into infantry positions, everything else should change as well. Equality for all, right?
As a female Marine, I know the training that goes into the makings of a grunt through the stories told to us, and some training we got as a taste of what they went through. I consider myself pretty tough for my stature at 5’4 and 110 lbs. Back when I was active duty, I could carry a 145-150 lb man and run with him a short distance (yes, this was tested, in boots and utes). Yet, I don’t think I could carry his weight plus all of our gear put together and both of our weapons. However, I do not wish to join the infantry, even if I had the opportunity back then. I know my barracks roommate, let’s call her Hillary, would be a prime candidate to be in an infantry unit. Hilary was, and still is the toughest, most fit, fierce and motivated Marine I know, and she could definitely fit the bill. So in no way, shape or form am I saying that women can’t do the job, just not all women. I won’t go into other subjects brought up such as hygiene issues and the “boy meets girl on battlefield and they fall in love†bullshit. One, I’m not a doctor, and two, the second subject is so cliche it’s not even funny. Most female service members I know see their male comrades as brothers, and nothing else.
The Marine Corps, which is known by many monikers, such as the “Men’s Department of the Navy†or the “World’s Largest Fraternityâ€, has begun to embrace females in infantry positions. Females currently make up only 6% of the total Marine Corps force. Back in September, the Marine Corps asked for volunteers to be part of research on how women would endure combat situations and training. Only two stepped forward. The Marine Corps sent these two volunteer officers (both Second Lieutenants) to Quantico, VA and put them through the Infantry Officers Course to see what the outcome would be. Both of them failed, one in the first week, and the other almost into the 3rd. It must be noted that they weren’t the only ones. 25% of every class, all male, drop out voluntarily or fail IOC. After this first class, the Marine Corps asked for more volunteers, and no one as of yet has stepped forward.
So who are these women who are pushing for female grunts? They ask for equality, yet no one steps forward to “prove†themselves. Seems like the tables flip when they involve those same females signing up to be infantry. Call me a female hater, or whatever you want, but I am not against females joining the infantry. However, if there is no interest, why change it? Don’t fix it if it ain’t broke, that’s all I’m saying.
Was the call for volunteers aimed at female officers? If so, I don’t find it surprising that officers, female or otherwise, wouldn’t exactly be jumping at the opportunity to turn themselves into grunts.
That aside, there are females, myself included, who are excited to have the opportunity to join up with the military and try their hand at an infantry role. I reckon it’s the opportunity and choice that we look forward to having. We Americans do love our opportunity.
Thank you for this article and your service.
its only talk until you put your name on the paper and raise your hand. i’ve seen too many talk shit and then get smoked when the rubber meets the road.
I believe that some women are more that capable, as you stated. The IDF has proven that females can perform in the role of infantry quite well. My only concern has been sexual interaction between males and females in the same unit. If the infantry units were separate, I can’t see any reason for not supporting women that want to fight on the front lines (all requirements being met of course). Good article!
you haven’t actually looked at the issue have you? if you had then you’d realize that the Israeli experiment is considered a failure. there are so many biological reasons why this is a lousy idea that it ain’t even funny. the only good thing that will come out of it is the responsibility that comes with equality. once Male Marines get past the chivalry phase and start looking at these females as just another Marine you can bet that they’re gonna get there asses handed to them. i wish i could film it cause it would make a great blooper reeel.
Very good article, from a WM I respect.
I also agree with Arys on this matter. After a quick Google search, I’ve found references to the IDF, and other Military unit’s, having women “combat” unit’s, however, failed to find any use of them in actual combat. Anyone find any, I’d love to read them, I think it’s a complicated subject and we need to see all sides.
The IDF does conscript women, however, they have a number of exemptions; is the IDF still seeing women as the “weaker sex”, or is it the unspoken feelings, that Men don’t ever want to pick up a women, and put her in a bodybag? Having spoken to a Marine Major, after returning from the middle-east, this was his take on the subject; Being no longer on Active Duty, I’m glad I’ll never have to deal with it.
IOC, is not really a good test if women can stand up to the riggers of combat – Why not enroll them in ITR, ICS, or SOI – whatever they call it now? This is the same training all Infantry enlisted men have to complete.
With this being said, I do recall seeing pictures of WM’s, pulling some type of “security” patrol in Afghanistan. I’d have a hard time claiming this isn’t a form of combat.
Having been both a Infantry DS and then later a Combat Medic 1SG I can say without a doubt females don’t belong in the Infantry, not knocking the females as there are some ass clown males that don’t belong in the Infantry either but made it through Basic and AIT because we were forced to let them in due to money already spent getting them that far.
They are the same one that every one has to carry their weight when in the field yet they don’t change their MOS or ETS which ends up weaking their Company, introducing females into the Infantry will do the same thing as others in the TM, SQD, PLT, CO will have to carry the weight they physicaly can’t.
As a Medic 1SG I had 5 females side lined at one time with light duty due to getting knocked up, in Iraq I had to send 4 home with no replacements for the same reason (Myself and the other Joes & Janes had to pick up the slack) when I suggested that we process their sorry asses out of the service with a BCD the BN CO about had a heart attack.
So with that example how is an Infantry SQD or PLT going to be combat effective when a fire team worth of females are pushing out kids like a Jump Master pushes out Paratroopers?