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WINDY CITY TIMES
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VIEWPOINTS Women already in combat, military policy catches up
by Danny Ingram, National President American Veterans for Equal Rights
2013-01-24
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This article shared 3391 times since Thu Jan 24, 2013
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The lifting of the Combat Exclusion Policy that denied women the right to serve in combat units is a natural and just evolution for the armed forces of a nation that honors justice and equality for every citizen. Women Soldiers and Marines have already been serving in combat for some time. Over the past decade 140 women have given their lives for their country while serving in combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The lifting of the Combat Exclusion Policy will open up over 250,000 job opportunities for women serving in the United States Army and Marine Corps. This change will allow women access to the top jobs in the military, many of which require the Combat Infantry Badge as a prerequisite to advancement.
The new policy will allow the military until January, 2016, to develop any "special exceptions" to women serving alongside their male counterparts in combat units. Issues such as "upper body strength" and the desire of male soldiers to "protect the women first" have been raised as concerns. Standards that cross gender lines in regards to requirements should help solve the strength issue. As always, training, discipline, and leadership should alleviate the latter.
An issue yet to be addressed is whether women will be forced to serve in combat positions should the nation ever return to a military draft. If anything, such a requirement may force politicians to think more than twice about committing American service members to combat.
Although the issue of women serving in combat has not been a specific goal for American Veterans for Equal Rights, we can take satisfaction that this policy change reflects AVER's ideals for an American military that treats all service members with equal rights, equal responsibilities, and equal respect. This change is a huge step forward, not only for the military, but for the nation as a whole. Every American should have equal access to opportunity. The fact that this opportunity involves both heavy responsibility and serious risk only heightens the gravity of the victory.
Related article, President Obama on the opening of combat units to women, at the link: www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/President-Obama-on-the-opening-of-combat-units-to-women/41302.html |
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This article shared 3391 times since Thu Jan 24, 2013
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