Panetta removes military ban on women in combat?

Another article;

5 minutes ago

Officials: Panetta opens combat roles to women

http://www.stripes.com/news/us/officials-panetta-o...

Nothing official yet on the defense.gov/news website

http://www.defense.gov/news/

Here's a link to the full article for anyone who wants to read it: http://security.blogs.cnn.com/2013/01/23/military-...

I think it should be noted that while they said it's going to happen soon, some things, like infantry and Special Operations, will take longer, and same standards are hoping to be imposed. The article also states: "The Pentagon has left itself some wiggle room, however, which may ultimately lead to some jobs being designated as “closed” to women. A senior Defense official says if, after the assessment, a branch finds that “a specific job or unit should not be open, they can go back to the secretary and ask for an exemption to the policy, to designate the job or unit as closed."

So it looks like a good compromise, because if there are serious issues, some jobs can be closed for them.

The military is to easy on women and if they want infantry combat roles like men they should have to meet the same standards. In te marines men have to do pull up. Women do arm hangs. They can take longer and do things easier on them. Plus when in te battle it's a mans instinctive nature to defend a lady at all costs which would cause men to lose their lives. The guy about the mortar teams? Yeah well think about this you are in the field and have been for three months your on a hill at night and it's quiet. All you wants is a woman's touch to feel alive again. Yeah it will just cause problems and I will stop there. Bad idea

I think any job should be open to anyone who can do the job. For example...I know guys that can't lift a mortar plate....I also know some women who could. Can she do the job based on the same expectations as a man? If she can...then sure. The same as if a guy can't do the job, he shouldn't be put into that position.

Edit: I might also point out, Panetta did this at the recommendation of the Joint Chiefs of Staff....he didn't just do it on his own.

It would probably be a nightmare, no pun intended. SK3135 pointed out how women fared in the Marine Officer's Infantry Course. They have increased the PFT requirements and allowed women in armor and artillery. I don't see the Marine Corps making exceptions to physical requirements to allow women to serve in combat. Some women already serve in combat roles, not in roles which require a lot of physical activity.

I can see the Navy and Air Force, with limited combat roles, having special requirements for women in combat. A Navy Corpsman who serves with Marines receives months of training with Marines before they serve with them. This will disqualify those men and women who aren't physically qualified.

The Army already has women training with men in parts of non-infantry basic. I would expect them to have a different standard for women serving in infantry and those not serving in infantry. They have unlimited funds and can do this, the Marines won't spend the money to have special classifications. Everyone is a Marine.

Women already serve in combat roles in Female Engagement Teams and with special ops in Cultural Support Teams. There are some places women could be used. I don't foresee an overall opening for women in all combat roles.

The services have until May 15th to submit their plans. I expect to see certain jobs open up, probably not infantry.

For any woman to be in an infantry unit, they must first meet all of the requirements both physically and mentally. Recently, female Marines were given the chance to attend the Infantry Officers Course. Out of 80 potential candidates, only 2 females volunteered to attend the course. Both of them have since flunked out. The military has standards as to who is applicable to be in combat and if females do not meet those standards they will not be eligible to be in combat regardless of what bans are removed.

It has NOT been overturned yet.

"Outgoing Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta made a decision" that can be reversed,

by the new incoming Defense Secretary

If this stays allowed through a couple hundred dead female soldiers in body-bags

will bring such a hue and cry from the American Public that will cost the then serving D.S. his job.

No. Women have no business in the military. Unless they are a receptionist or something like that.

I just don't think women can do the Job as well as a man can..

We have NO GI Jane's...sorry.

I do not support this decision at all.

Getting tired of everything having to be fair..

I have an idea! Let the women and gays do the combat while the rest of stay stateside..They want the privileges?Then let them have the burdens.