Women in combat roles

[mudskipper]

IMO it depends on the woman. Some women would make great front line soldiers. But they have to be realistic. I think that soldiers behind enemy lines have to poo into a bag so they leave no trace - their colleague usually holds it open for them.

Usually the best man for a job is a woman anyway. e.g. being prime minister.

Quite. Definitely not a job I'd want. But if women are prepared and want to do the same as the men, and are physically capable, IMO there's no good reason why they shouldn't be allowed to.

[fullyautomatix]

IMO it depends on the woman. Some women would make great front line soldiers. But they have to be realistic. I think that soldiers behind enemy lines have to poo into a bag so they leave no trace - their colleague usually holds it open for them.

Usually the best man for a job is a woman anyway. e.g. being prime minister.

But someone has to make the tea !

[bobspud]

The theory behind not allowing women in combat positions was that it would have a more devastating effect on morale should they meet there end, it had something to do with how men identified with them as mothers that was apparently a strong fact in not allowing it

^ This

And it's as true now as it was then.

[The Spartan]

From the guardian

The Ministry of Defence reviewed the policy in 2010 and concluded that women were physically and psychologically capable of the job but the impact of having mixed-gender teams were unknown and could have "far-reaching and grave consequences".

Wonder what those are then?

I have trained a fair few mixed groups and as the group bonds it can cause problems if people are dating each other in the platoon. Lack of focus and under performance can clearly been seen and when you're out operations you don't want someone giving you cover fire when you're advancing on the enemy's position who's clearly worrying about his/her other half

[The Spartan]

Quite. Definitely not a job I'd want. But if women are prepared and want to do the same as the men, and are physically capable, IMO there's no good reason why they shouldn't be allowed to.

I'm not so sure about the physically capable part tbh just look at some of the light infantry units carrying 20-30kgs at twice the normal speed, plus other units like the Para's

[Mich the Tester]

I'm not so sure about the physically capable part tbh just look at some of the light infantry units carrying 20-30kgs at twice the normal speed, plus other units like the Para's

Some female athletes are perfectly capable of doing that. Trouble is, they're probably such good athletes you wouldn't want to waste them on the battlefield.

[BrilloPad]

No need to tie her, earthquakes and floods cant get her out of bed till late afternoon !

Well pull her nightie down when you have finished - its the gentlemanly thing to do.

[BrilloPad]

Some female athletes are perfectly capable of doing that. Trouble is, they're probably such good athletes you wouldn't want to waste them on the battlefield.

Far better to have them jelly wrestling?

[The Spartan]

Some female athletes are perfectly capable of doing that. Trouble is, they're probably such good athletes you wouldn't want to waste them on the battlefield.

Can you think of any off hand?

[mudskipper]

I have trained a fair few mixed groups and as the group bonds it can cause problems if people are dating each other in the platoon. Lack of focus and under performance can clearly been seen and when you're out operations you don't want someone giving you cover fire when you're advancing on the enemy's position who's clearly worrying about his/her other half

Is that a good reason to stop one of the genders from participating? If it's really an issue, have single sex groups.