Women in Military Service & Combat (not just USA)

[Ken White]

If nothing else, it might help break the myth that Infantry is a mono-tasker. Prior to WWII, Infantry units were supposed to be capable of more than attack or defend.

Only in the 70s did that delusion get planted.

Seriously, they carry stuff that they have no business carrying on their backs, whether because Army MTOE sucks, or because they think they are "hard" or of uniformity/risk-aversion by commanders. There ARE places in the world that need Lightfighters, but somehow our opponents manage to fight there without wearing 200 pounds of kit.

True on all counts. I blame poor initial entry and follow on training for leaders at all levels. Those guys can affect the TOE problems, they are responsible for the uniformity fetish and while risk avearsion is now as American as Apple Pie and a societal problem, the Army can and should be in the business of breaking that particular chain and train of thought, not encouraging it.

Ironically, I just noticed the 173d patch. Is this the infamous "combat jump behind friendly lines so we can all get a mustard stain?" If so, it proves my point. That troop is carrying the world on his back because his leadership failed him.

Partly true on the leadership failure, no on the jump. That picture is from Afghanistan. Easily determined from the gear he's wearing; most of it is post 2003 stuff and IIRC, that came out about a year or so ago and he's a USAF JTAC atchd to the 173d. Those guys are always heavily loaded, even in RVN when light (30-35 lb) loads were the Infantry norm. That may explain why the AF has trouble keeping JTACs in the service....

There are some woman haters in uniform, male and female, all ranks. There are also some people in uniform, male and female, all ranks who are man haters. Fortunately, most people in uniform, male and female, all ranks, take a more balanced and measured view. Many of them also have serious questions about the advisability of women in direct combat roles. It's another question where pat answers don't provide a solution. As with most such issues, it'll work itself out. Most always does and, as usual with any even mildly contentious social issue, the end solution will be an uneasy compromise that'll leave some people unhappy on both sides of the question.

Re: the load he's carrying, not to make light of it (no pun) but as the first photo below of a Marine shows, it could be worse and as the second shows, we aren't the only Army with the problem. The PBI phrase has reason to exist...