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Women warriors: Will women have to register for the military draft?
American women will be officially allowed to serve in combat situations, according to an announcement Thursday by Defense Secretary Leon Panetta. His decision was based on a recommendation...
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I think of all the children who are left fatherless through war and if women are drafted, many will be left motherless too. Some might be left fatherless and motherless; this doesn't seem right to me.
Rated up and promo'd.
I am pretty much a Pacifist, but I do recognize the civil rights of others. And if women choose the military they should have equal rights with men.
But I'm conflicted about this one. I served aboard ship during Vietnam. We had 400 sailors, and 2,500 marines on that ship, packed together like sardines in a can. I just cannot imagine how we would have ever accomplished our "mission" had there been women on board. (The mission was to deliver those marines from San Diego, L.A., San Francisco & Seattle to DaNang Harbor, South Vietnam, after which we (the sailors) would go to the Phillipines, Hong Kong, Bankok, Japan, etc., etc., with the single and express to "party like it's 1999").
Now, that same ship, the U.S.S. Dubuque, has women on board...well, until recently...it's now been decommissioned. I read where one of the Dubuque's biggest problems before it was retired was....unexpected pregnancies among a number of its female sailors. Hmmmm.
Seems that instead of a "ship of the line," the Dubuque became "the love boat."
You see why I'm "conflicted?"
Rated up/shared.
First, the new directive covers specifically women in combat and special ops. From the little I know, other areas were integrated with women a long time ago.
I understand your point of view; however, just like any form of integration, it's the responsibility of the institution to develop systems that accommodate everyone--in this case both males and females. I can't imagine a ship being much different that any office building where people mingle. There should be an expectation of professionalism when men and women are together.
I get it that the situation you describe puts mostly 20 and 30 somethings together; still, they need to conduct themselves with decorum most of the time. (Prince's great dance song lives on--just not on board ships!)
Regarding pregnancy: Men and women in the military should have free access to birth control and barrier methods to prevent transmission of sexually transmitted infections.
Also, the situation you describe on board a ship is not a combat zone, and like you describe ships have already been integrated.
Really loved the news. I think this is
a great opportunity for American women
to serve their nation militarily. Great
announcement too by the US Defence
establishment. Although understandably
there will be voices of dissent but it
can be over-come. ^^^