Should Women Be Allowed in Infantry Units?

This topic has been a conversation in military circles for decades, can women make it in an infantry unit?  No doubt that women in our military are an assets and essential to what they do.  Our women in uniform are noble Americans that volunteer to serve our country and sacrifice in my opinion just as much if not more than their male counterparts do.  A very small percentage of the United States citizens are in the Armed Forces and even a smaller percentage are women.  Our military is a huge wheel of moving parts with numerous responsibilities and occupations to keep the wheel turning.  Each one plays a vital role in what our military does on daily basis to perform their duty and serve their nation.  One of the things that make service members outstanding in some areas and below average in some areas is our physical ability.  We can not deny the fact that we are all different.  For example, some members can withstand more tropical humid temperature than others,  some have a photographic memories and can recall data and regulation very easily.  Some are gifted with mechanical skills and other are blessed with unique abilities to problem solve on the fly.  All of these are physical attribute that give one the edge over the other.

The United States Marines Corps is one of the most demanding military organization in the world.  Their basic training is 13 weeks long (longest of all services) and their physical fitness requirements are the most physically driven of the all the services.  The Marines are an expeditionary force meaning they can basically be anywhere in the world in very little time.  The infantry units are the Marine Corps great strength and the training to be that is very extensive to ensure success in combat.  But the question is can females make it through the training?  The research has shown that generally speaking men have some physical advantages in strength and size.  Marine Officer infantry training is 86 days of harsh training that is extremely difficult for any gender.  The Secretary of Defense ordered the military leaders to start incorporating trials for women into the officer infantry training.  The trial for women in the infantry unit commenced with only 3 women in the group of males going through strenuous training.   60 Minutes ran an article discussing these women and what they has to endure.

Gender equality in a nutshell means that males and females should receive equal treatment and not be discriminated against because of their gender.  Today's culture sees "equal treatment" in a way that it was not meant to be my opinion.  You are likely to hear comments for both males and females, "If she hits you like a man, she should be expected to be hit like a man, using equal treatment as a justification.  Personally,  I am what is called old fashioned and I was raised to treat woman with respect and never put your hands on them for any reason.  Most males are taught this at a young age because we are physically stronger generally speaking.  I do believe that parents should tell their daughters to treat males with respect as well and never put your hands on them.  However, it is less than likely that young girls are taught to treat males with respect as males are taught.  I strongly agree that both men and women should be treated equally, the same pay for doing the same work,  have the same opportunities but the fact of the matter is that males and females are different.  They are physically different and that gives either gender advantages and disadvantages in certain area to successful.  The physical requirements for Marine Officer infantry more conducive for most males to complete the course however it not to say that females can't complete the course.

As I mentioned before, I am old fashioned.  I know that women can open doors by themselves, they do it when I am not around, but I still do it out of courtesy and to be polite.  I was taught by my mother that women were important and precious, as male my role is to protect and honor her.  My culture groomed young men to be potentially good husbands to our wives.  There are gender roles,  some see them as sexist others think it is cultural.  The culture is changing and some women want to break away from the old fashion way others look for it in a partner.  So the question remains,  can women make it in an infantry unit?  I think so however it will not be easy and it will require a female from upper percentage of the gender.  It would be difficult for the average male to make it, I think the same for a woman.

Martin, D. (2015, March 15). A Few Good Women. Retrieved May 22, 2015, from http://www.cbsnews.com/news/female-marines-women-in-combat-60-minutes/