Michael Yon posted this article by G.S. Newbold, Lieutenant General, USMC (Ret.). TW has included only excerpts of each point the general has made.
Myth #1 – “It’s about women in combat.”
"No, it’s not. Women are already in combat, and are serving well and professionally. The issue should be more clearly entitled, “Women in the infantry.” And this is a decidedly different proposition."
Myth #3 – “If they pass the physical standards, why not?” ...."Any study of sexual harassment statistics in this age cohort – in the military, academia, or the civilian workplace — are evidence enough that despite best efforts to by sincere leaders to control the issue, human instincts remain strong. Perceptions of favoritism or harassment will be corrosive, and cohesion will be the victim."
Picture your daughter in this Marine unit:
Myth #4 – “Standards won’t be lowered.” ...."Pity the truthful leader who attempts to hold to standards based on realistic combat factors, and tells truth to power. Most won’t, and the others won’t survive."
Myth #5 – “Opening the infantry will provide a better pathway to senior rank for the talented women.” ...."Those who might meet the infantry physical standard will find that their peers are expected, as leaders, to far exceed it (and most of their subordinates will, as well)."....
Myth #6 – “It’s a civil rights issue, much like the integration of the armed forces and allowing gays to serve openly.” In the process, they demean initiatives that were to provide equally skilled individuals the opportunity to contribute equally. In each of the other issues, lowered standards were not the consequence.
Myth #7 –
“It’s just fair.” ...."Direct ground combat, such as experienced in the frozen tundra of Korea, the rubble of Stalingrad, or the endless 30-day jungle patrols against a grim foe in Viet Nam, is the harshest meritocracy — with the greatest consequences — there is.
"And psychology in warfare is germane – the force that is respected (and, yes, feared) has a distinct advantage.
"Will women in our infantry enhance a psychological advantage, or hinder it?
Second, if it’s about fairness, why do women get a choice of whether to serve in the infantry (when men do not), and why aren’t they required to register for the draft (as men are)?"....
And the General concludes with an assessment of how political-correctness has stifled open, reasoned discussion and ruined careers of those who dare to tell things as they are:
"It may be that we live in a society in which honest discussion of this issue, relying on facts instead of volume, is not possible. If so, our national security will fall victim to hope instead of reality. And myths be damned."
Gregory S. Newbold served 32 years as a Marine infantryman, commanding units from platoon to the 1st Marine Division. His final assignment before retiring in 2002 was as director of operations for the Pentagon’s Joint Staff.Myth #1 – “It’s about women in combat.”
"No, it’s not. Women are already in combat, and are serving well and professionally. The issue should be more clearly entitled, “Women in the infantry.” And this is a decidedly different proposition."
Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Michelle Berglin trains for an upcoming
deployment at Camp Pendleton in January.
Myth #2 – “Combat has changed” (often accompanied by “There are no front lines anymore”). ...."The standard for ground combat unit composition should be whether social experimentation would have amplified our opportunity for success in that crucible, or diminished it. We gamble with our future security when we set standards for warfare based on the best case, instead of the harshest one."Myth #3 – “If they pass the physical standards, why not?” ...."Any study of sexual harassment statistics in this age cohort – in the military, academia, or the civilian workplace — are evidence enough that despite best efforts to by sincere leaders to control the issue, human instincts remain strong. Perceptions of favoritism or harassment will be corrosive, and cohesion will be the victim."
Picture your daughter in this Marine unit:
Myth #5 – “Opening the infantry will provide a better pathway to senior rank for the talented women.” ...."Those who might meet the infantry physical standard will find that their peers are expected, as leaders, to far exceed it (and most of their subordinates will, as well)."....
Myth #6 – “It’s a civil rights issue, much like the integration of the armed forces and allowing gays to serve openly.” In the process, they demean initiatives that were to provide equally skilled individuals the opportunity to contribute equally. In each of the other issues, lowered standards were not the consequence.
"And psychology in warfare is germane – the force that is respected (and, yes, feared) has a distinct advantage.
"Will women in our infantry enhance a psychological advantage, or hinder it?
Second, if it’s about fairness, why do women get a choice of whether to serve in the infantry (when men do not), and why aren’t they required to register for the draft (as men are)?"....
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| General Newbold |
And the General concludes with an assessment of how political-correctness has stifled open, reasoned discussion and ruined careers of those who dare to tell things as they are:
"It may be that we live in a society in which honest discussion of this issue, relying on facts instead of volume, is not possible. If so, our national security will fall victim to hope instead of reality. And myths be damned."
Update: This comment was posted on Facebook:
Racism alive in well in the Country.... U go! I guess they wanted Osama Bin Laden to blow up the rest of us I guess.... Bush lover!
A response: "That is your best argument against this General's points? Nothing more? "
Such is the state of reasoned dialog between our ever more balkanized society.
1 comment:
@Bill:
Unless the government forces women to serve in the infantry, armor, field artillery, special forces, etc., the direct combat arms, there are going to be very few gals "humping in the boonies" - just like there are very few women on construction projects, although all jobs are open to them and have been for years.
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