Military plans would put women in most combat jobs

[dipsydoodle]

Source: Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Military leaders are ready to begin tearing down the remaining walls that have prevented women from holding thousands of combat and special operations jobs near the front lines.

Under details of the plans obtained by The Associated Press, women could start training as Army Rangers by mid-2015 and as Navy SEALs a year later.

The military services have mapped out a schedule that also will include reviewing and possibly changing the physical and mental standards that men and women will have to meet in order to quality for certain infantry, armor, commando and other front-line positions across the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines. Under the plans to be introduced Tuesday, there would be one common standard for men and women for each job.

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel reviewed the plans and has ordered the services to move ahead.

Read more: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_WOMEN_IN_COMBAT?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2013-06-18-03-21-57

[Pelican]

1. The transition is going to be made...

It will be a more difficult one than racial integration or the end of DADT.

The best and smoothest way to make this go forward will be to keep the same standards in place and allow women to participate if they can meet them.

[Ex Lurker]

3. If they can meet the standard, let 'em in. If they can't or can't in sufficient numbers

to reach numerical goals...that's where it will get interesting. Will standards be lowered, or will pressure be exerted to pass candidates who shouldn't be passed? We'll see. When the training (speaking of SOF) is beyond the capability of the vast majority of males, I'm not sure it's realistic to expect many females to make it. There are probably some who can. That number is probably exceedingly rare.

[Pelican]

7. The standards will change...

... and likely be lower but also include as many wazoo new exercises so that it is difficult to compare.

In the end though it is very difficult to get past the pushup, run and ruck.

[Franker65]

2. Great news for women

Some women really want a serious career in the infrantry. Entry to the special forces will give them something great to aspire to. Good news.

[Nye Bevan]

4. So when will women have to register for Selective Service? (nt)

[Skittles]

14. just making sure you served

I did!

[Ex Lurker]

5. This thread would be burning up in General Discussion

people seem to bypass Late Breaking News

[dipsydoodle]

6. Cross post it if you wish.

[galileoreloaded]

8. i say replace our entire military with women if they can recruit them

im tired of the subjugation of men to militaristic purposes.

[avogadro]

9. I don't mind.......

if they allow women to serve in combat, as long as they don't lower the physical standards which are already in place. If she is ok with taking a dump in a coffee can while hunkered down in a foxhole, in front of other soldiers, more power to her. You go girl!

[uppityperson]

10. Aren't you so cute. "you go girl"?

Lowering physical standards which include excreting in front of others and finishing with "you go girl"?

[avogadro]

12. Hey uppity.......

combat is a dirty business.

[uppityperson]

13. And those wimmens need protecting since they are fragile flowers. Gotcha. As I said.

[Earth_First]

11. More fodder for the cannon...

Unfortunately for these women our warlords take this as a strategic advantage to blostering combat-ready troops rather than genuine regard for the advancement of women in general.

I long for the day when we draw down our combat-ready troops period. Regardless of gender.