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Home › Politics

Question of the Day | 08/23/2009 11:00 pm

Do you think ground combat positions in the armed forces should be open to women?

A recent story in The New York Times about the rise of women in ground combat left us thinking about women in the line of fire. Join Candice Bergen, Liz Smith, Joan Ganz Cooney and Mary Wells in the conversation


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Mary Wells

Mary Wells | 08/23/2009 11:00 pm

Mary Wells on Women in Combat

Women are now boxing in Olympics matches, entering high-risk mountain bike competitions, blowing themselves up because of religious convictions. They are running large companies. One almost became president of the United States and is the secretary of state, dealing in high-risk areas much of the time. Angela Merkel is the German chancellor in a difficult economic time. I am against war and combat in general, although I understand the simplicity of that thinking, but as they exist, if a woman chooses a combat position in the armed forces, why not find the best possible place for her abilities?


comments2 Comments
Liz Smith

Liz Smith | 08/23/2009 11:00 pm

Liz Smith Says Women Are Physically and Mentally Prepared for Combat

I think women have already been metaphorically in combat since God created the first woman! Women have always struggled for existence and then for position and then the right to do anything they damned pleased or were physically and mentally prepared for. Of course, women should be admitted to all aspects of military service if they want to serve and let the chips fall where they may.

comments6 Comments
Candice Bergen

Candice Bergen | 08/23/2009 11:00 pm

Candice Bergen and the Concept of War

I saw those pieces in the Times and was very impressed by the level of competence and commitment shown by women. Especially when you think of 10, 20 years ago and how it was an insurmountable challenge for them to perform and be successfully integrated with men in the armed forces and in battle. And since our whole concept of war is completely transformed — it seems more and more realistic. There are very few incidents of rape. They should decline. Most of the objections have been removed. Not to mention, with a volunteer army, we are in desperate need of recruits.

comments9 Comments
Marlo Thomas

Marlo Thomas | 08/23/2009 11:00 pm

Marlo Thomas: The Answer Is Always 'Yes'

Let’s cut to the chase: Any question that begins, "Should women be allowed to" should immediately be answered with "Yes." Do we ever hear debates about whether a man should be allowed to do something? The more specific answer to today’s question is, "Of course." From what I’ve read, there has never been a study that indicated that properly trained women are any less qualified for combat positions than men. As in all things, the choice should be the woman’s.
comments13 Comments
Joan Ganz Cooney

Joan Ganz Cooney | 08/24/2009 12:00 am

Joan Ganz Cooney on One of the Great Scandals of Our Democracy

Of course ground combat should be open to women and, for heaven’s sake, when are we going to insist that includes openly gay people? The idea that the armed services are closed to openly gay MEN (forget for the moment women) is one of the great scandals of our democracy.

comments4 Comments
Read more about: Army, Combat, Gender, Military, Politics, Soldier, The New York Times, War, women in combat

171 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

DeBúrca obj

I believe that the vast majority of wars could have been avoided and CAN be avoided in the future if we ever evolve as a species. However, since we have not yet evolved to that level, and we still do have armed forces, I cannot think of any reason why women should not have equal access to serve in combat positions. Female troops have proven themselves in both Iraq and Afghanistan and if Israeli woman can do it, why not American? Check this out:

IDF Israel female soldiers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVz6d24Q52c

 

By DeBúrca obj on 08/23/2009 11:21 pm
DeBúrca obj

I’ll try that link once more, it’s worth it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVz6d24Q52c

 

By DeBúrca obj on 08/23/2009 11:22 pm
Jennifer Kelley
I’m not going to lie.  I, as a woman, do not want to be in a combat position.  However, I know many women that are soldiers, and I think they could take most men down in hand to hand combat.  Just like for men, it is not a position that is suited for everyone.  Not everyone, men nor women, have the physical or inner strength to deal with certain things they have to deal with when in the field.  Israel has women in the military, and in fact, Dr. Ruth was a sniper.  Who would have thought?  While snipers aren’t in the front lines, they certainly are required to know and use the same type combat as someone on the frontlines.  That being said, women have done very well for themselves.  Unfortunately, not all women have made their name good, but in every group there are always the few that make the whole group look bad.  It takes a special kind of person - not woman, but person - to do the job, and my hats are off to them!  Women can do it!
By Jennifer Kelley on 08/24/2009 9:14 am
Karen R

Sometimes these questions aren’t about female capablilities as much as they are about male reactions to seeing females in traditionally atypical situations.

If captive troops witnessed the enemy singling out a female for abuse instead of a male, or saw female troops in trouble in the field, how would they react? Would they respond more strongly? Less strongly? Take or avoid taking risks they otherwise would or wouldn’t?

There’s a lot of societal conditioning to overcome.

By Karen R on 08/23/2009 11:43 pm
DeBúrca obj
True. But whatever conditioning the men have to overcome, it would be their job to overcome it. Holding women back until men are ready, regarding any job or position, is not a good enough reason anymore.
By DeBúrca obj on 08/23/2009 11:46 pm
James the Game
That this question even has to be posed in 2009 speaks volumes.
By James the Game on 08/23/2009 11:46 pm
siasp surate
Seriously, what kind of question is this? I’m with Marlo on this one.
By siasp surate on 08/24/2009 12:00 am
phyllis Doyle Pepe

I also agree with Marlo, except for this: 

"Do we ever hear debates whether a man should be allowed to do something?" YES! We hear that in gay couples wanting to adopt. We hear that in debates re:  men taking over running a household and being the caretaker of children when the wives are out working. We have come a long way in recognizing the strengths, the differences, the ability of both genders, but we still have a long way to go.

And I detest the military’s stance re: gays and lesbians. This needs to be changed sooner than later

By phyllis Doyle Pepe on 08/24/2009 4:16 pm
siasp surate
Yes, I do agree that we do here debates about gay men being able to adopt. However, about men running a households, yes, there are debates about that, but they are allowed to do so if they please— which is a big difference. Oh, and I do agree with you on the military’s stance regarding sexual orientation.
By siasp surate on 08/24/2009 4:51 pm
Martha Evans
I am in the military and it is NOT the military’s stance.  It is the politicians stance that is imposed on us.  Also, the question is not ‘should women be allowed in combat’, the fear among women in the military is that once they are allowed, will they be ‘forced’ to serve in combat?  There is some resentment among men in the military that women permanently take up support and non-combatant positions which reduces the opportunities for men to rotate OUT of combat. 
By Martha Evans on 08/26/2009 1:52 am
Dona Howlett

I agree with all the above……………

That actually is an insulting question in today’s world.

I do believe that no one under the age of 50 should be allowed to fight in any War. Perhaps if just old men did the fighting, they’d figure out a way to stop the Damn Wars.  The Old Men Start the Wars and then send the young people out to do the Dirty Work….The Old men get Rich and the young die or end up lame………both physically and mentally.

By Dona Howlett on 08/24/2009 2:56 am
Mel Saldana
Dona, you are awesome!
By Mel Saldana on 08/24/2009 4:18 am
Kelly Jodar
AMEN!
By Kelly Jodar on 08/27/2009 5:27 pm
James the Game

That’s almost exactly what Black Sabbath wrote in their "War Pigs" lyrics in 1971.

Generals gathered in their masses
Just like witches at black masses
Evil minds that plot destruction
Sorcerers of deaths construction
In the fields the bodies burning
As the war machine keeps turning
Death and hatred to mankind
Poisoning their brainwashed minds, oh lord yeah!

Politicians hide themselves away
They only started the war
Why should they go out to fight?
They leave that role to the poor

Time will tell on their power minds
Making war just for fun
Treating people just like pawns in chess
Wait till their judgement day comes, yeah!

Now in darkness, world stops turning
As the war machine keeps burning
No more war pigs of the power
Hand of God has sturck the hour
Day of judgement, God is calling
On their knees, the war pigs crawling
Begging mercy for their sins
Satan, laughing, spreads his wings
All right now!

By James the Game on 08/27/2009 9:20 pm
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