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2014-04-21 Home Front: Culture Wars

I thought I was 'man enuf' but the USMC set me up to fail.

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Posted by Besoeker 2014-04-21 11:11|| || Front Page|| [11128 views ] Top

#1 She's right that women can be held to the same physical standard as men. But not many of them will be able to achieve it. I am almost 5'0" tall (152 cm). When I was young, I was co-captain of my high school girls gymnastics team. While I was not a very good gymnast, to be honest, every day during the season we did 30 military (a.k.a. "real") push-ups and sixty sit-ups to warm up before our workout, and more strength work afterward. Once, on a bet with Mr. Wife, I did 200 push-ups, though by the las twenty I was down to sets of one. Some of our girls ran for fun, so it can be done... but I was not one of them.

However, the one thing that struck me reading the article is that a young woman who wants so badly to become an officer in a less than welcoming environment needs to be proactive in determining the tested criteria, then disciplined enough to train herself to exceed them. Only by being visibly one of the best can she demonstrate that she was not a secretly enabled affirmative action brat. By this final test of leadership she demonstrated that in the current environment she does not deserve to be one of the first female Marine officers.

I realize this is not fair. But war is the ultimate Darwinian test, and fairness has nothing to do with it.

Posted by trailing wife 2014-04-21 21:10|| 2014-04-21 21:10|| Front Page Top

#2 tw, as we used to say in the good old days "Right on, right on, right on".

My fear is that the military will be forced to lower standards for females so that they will be able to complete the infantry course.

The problem is that when it comes to combat, strength can be very important - not as important as the days when it was all swords, battle axes and spears. However, if a unit is to go out on patrol, they have to carry a certain amount of weapons, ammunition and other equipment. If one of the members is not strong enough to carry her assigned load, somebody else will have to carry it for her.

Posted by Rambler in Virginia 2014-04-21 21:52|| 2014-04-21 21:52|| Front Page Top

#3 I am almost 5'0" tall

That mean you're not.
I'm 5" 7 inches, much taller than you.
And I'm "Standard".

Posted by Redneck Jim 2014-04-21 22:18|| 2014-04-21 22:18|| Front Page Top

#4 If they are dropping 20-25% of the guys (for presumably fitness/endurance reasons), it is going to take an exceptional woman to make the cut.

Seems a bit disingenuous to blame the Corps for not making her fitter. Especially since they had to drop the standards to get enough women in the first place. But as TW says, it's nothing personal, just Darwin.

Posted by SteveS 2014-04-21 22:32|| 2014-04-21 22:32|| Front Page Top

#5 I was a 6' 180# FMF Navy Corpsman and as strong as an ox when serving.

Many times, I struggled mightily when carrying/dragging WIA Marines off the line even though I was out of my mind with adrenaline.

If women Corpsmen can do the job, I am all for it.

It not. . . . well. . .

Posted by GORT 2014-04-21 22:53|| 2014-04-21 22:53|| Front Page Top

#6 Women are built DIFFERENTLY than men. Physially, emotionally, psychology.

Men also have enough issue with PTSD. Adding the memory of watching women get cut to pieces on the battle field adds to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. And I believe PTSD could be more prevalent in women who survive.

My father fought in WWII for three straight years. He saw everything. He said women are not built for the life and death struggle that exists on the battle field. He was very adamant about that based on experience.

Posted by Bubba Graiting8281 2014-04-21 23:18|| 2014-04-21 23:18|| Front Page Top

#7 One standard. It applies to all. Why? Because combat does not give out exemptions and dispensations. If you have to overpower someone in a bayonet fight, or dead-lift a buddy to get him to safety, all that exemption does is get you or your buddy killed.

Posted by OldSpook 2014-04-21 23:33|| 2014-04-21 23:33|| Front Page Top

#8 If the USMC cannot figure out how to pass prospective lady infantry officers, then their schoolhouse will be consolidated with the Army's at Ft. Benning, which can.

To save money and create efficiencies through synergistic jointness, or some-such.

Posted by rammer 2014-04-21 23:34|| 2014-04-21 23:34|| Front Page Top

#9 Yes, ladies in combat will not do well, but how likely is that? Essentially, a lady officer in the infantry is buying a lottery ticket, that she will complete her assignment without being deployed.

And should a deployment unfortunately occur, she probably will have enough warning to fall pregnant and avoid it.

What is not to like in this policy?

Posted by rammer 2014-04-21 23:41|| 2014-04-21 23:41|| Front Page Top

23:53 Zenobia Floger6220
23:41 rammer
23:37 OldSpook
23:34 rammer
23:33 OldSpook
23:22 JosephMendiola
23:18 Bubba Graiting8281
23:07 SteveS
23:00 Neville Cleque3310
22:53 GORT
22:35 Thing From Snowy Mountain
22:32 SteveS
22:29 Bubba Graiting8281
22:18 Redneck Jim
22:14 gorb
21:53 Frank G
21:52 Rambler in Virginia
21:39 SteveS
21:26 Bubba Graiting8281
21:12 Zenobia Floger6220
21:10 trailing wife
21:06 rjschwarz
21:04 Bubba Graiting8281
21:03 rjschwarz