US Service Women Challenge Combat Role Ban:What are your thoughts about women on the battle front?
JMCC
2012/11/28 13:48:21
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The American Civil Liberties Union has filed a challenge on behalf of four US servicewomen against a ban on women being deployed in most combat roles.
The lawsuit filed in a federal court in San Francisco argues that the policy is unconstitutional.
Women can serve in front line positions in the US military, but they are barred from ground combat units.
A Pentagon spokesman said 14,500 combat positions had been opened to women under the current defence secretary.
He added that Defence Secretary Leon Panetta had "directed the services to explore the possibility of opening additional roles for women in the military".
But ACLU lawyer Ariela Migdal said the changes so far were "not enough". The lawsuit argues that continuing restrictions violate service women's constitutional rights to equality.
One of the plaintiffs, Marine Corps Capt Zoe Bedell, said existing rules had blocked her advancement in the Marines.
"The military is the last place where you are allowed to be discriminated against because of your gender," she said.
Women account for about 14% of the 1.4 million active US military personnel.
The lawsuit launched on Tuesday says they are barred from 238,000 positions, but also alleges that they are already serving unofficially in combat units.
The lawsuit filed in a federal court in San Francisco argues that the policy is unconstitutional.
Women can serve in front line positions in the US military, but they are barred from ground combat units.
A Pentagon spokesman said 14,500 combat positions had been opened to women under the current defence secretary.
He added that Defence Secretary Leon Panetta had "directed the services to explore the possibility of opening additional roles for women in the military".
But ACLU lawyer Ariela Migdal said the changes so far were "not enough". The lawsuit argues that continuing restrictions violate service women's constitutional rights to equality.
One of the plaintiffs, Marine Corps Capt Zoe Bedell, said existing rules had blocked her advancement in the Marines.
"The military is the last place where you are allowed to be discriminated against because of your gender," she said.
Women account for about 14% of the 1.4 million active US military personnel.
The lawsuit launched on Tuesday says they are barred from 238,000 positions, but also alleges that they are already serving unofficially in combat units.
Top Opinion
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Kat 2012/11/28 13:59:28Women should not be allowed on the battlefield.
+5Do guys really want to see a woman getting blown up or shot to start their day? Do we want footage of female soldiers captured, raped and tortured coming back? We've had it before and it doesn't go over well with most people.
Those are my only concerns about women in combat. Those issues alone could be a huge hindrance. Otherwise, I would say go for it.
stay home , do some cooking , cleaning and looking after kids
If the female soldiers can do the job on the front lines as efficiently as their male counterparts, then let them engage in combat.
The standards should be based on what one can do, not gender. Unfortunately... because of physiological differences, most women can't do the same things in the field a male can. Those who can supersede them, are more then welcome to pick up a rifle.
It's not sexist to acknowledge that a soldier can not drag you out of the line of fire if you are hit or has the mininum required stamina to last through an engagement.
In an ideal world there would be no problems of this kind... but we don't live in the ideal.
prisoner of war is completely different for a woman and if they knew any better. they would understand that
And like an idiot I clicked the wrong damn button. Please feel free to make fun of me for my error *facepalm*