Moderators Gregory Matthews Posted March 7, 2017 Moderators Share Posted March 7, 2017 Women in the U. S. military: In the ongoing discussion in the United States as to the role of women in our society, some attention has been given to the entry of women into the military. That discussion has carried over into discussion here in Club Adventist. Part of that discussion has centered on whether or not women were required to meet the same standards as men were required to meet. I thought that it would be of value to address that issue. My comments are based upon the following article: Gina Harkins. “The Right to Fight,” Military Officer, March 2017, Pages 96 – 101. General: In 2015,Defense Secretary Ashton Carter announced that the ban on females serving in combat positons would be rescinded. Over the past 12 months, women have attempted to join military positions in artillery, Army Rangers, Navy SEALS, infantry, and armor. Air Force: Prior to the directive of Ashton Carter, 99 % of the Air Force positions were open to females. In 2011, in Afghanistan, a combat mission was carried out by a 100% group of females. All positions are now open to women. Five (5) women have passed the Physical Aptitude Stamina Test that is required to serve in certain positions now open. They are in continued training needed to enter those positions. Major Jennifer Cannon has flown more than 1,000 combat hours as pilot of a F-15E Strike Eagle in combat in Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria. In that role, she has saved the lives of Americans. Major Cannon is the mother of two sons and is about to become the mother of a daughter. Army: The Army has the largest number of women attempting to move into combat positons. In December 2016, 13 females successfully completed the training to become Armor officers. By late 2016, 178 females were headed to training in infantry or armor positions. 27 women have been commissioned as infantry officers and 31 as armor officers through either the ROTC program or by graduation from West Point. A female has passed the Army Ranger Assessment and Selection Program 2 and is assigned to the 75th Ranger Regiment. Three (3) females, in 2015, completed the Army Ranger School. 23 female officers are scheduled to attend that school this year. Females and males are now required to take the same Physical Fitness Test which is scored exactly the same for both. Coast Guard: Women have been allowed to serve in all positions since the late 1970s. Navy: As in the Air force, most positons were open to females prior to the decision by Ashton Carter. Women are now eligible to be assigned to Marine Corps positons. Women are now eligible to serve as Navy SEALS. But, no woman has presently completed that training. 3 % of submarine officers are now females and 1 % of submarine enlisted crew are women. 18 submarine crews have females crew members. By 2021 all Ohio-class submarine crews will have women assigned. Under the Navy & Marine Corps Career Intermission Program Navy personnel may take up to three (3) years off to attend school , start a family , or to work in a civilian occupation. Marine Corps: No women have completed the Infantry Officer Course. Three (3) enlisted Marines have completed training and are on their way to an infantry assignment. Nine (9) women are expected to graduate from boot came this year and to then be assigned to the infantry. Some 400 women have volunteered to become infantry. About 35 % of them completed their training. The first female Marine artillery officer graduated # 1 in her class of 137. Males and Females are required to take the same physical fitness test which is scored the same way for both. In 2006, in Iraq, the first female Marine officer was killed in combat. Stan 1 Quote Gregory Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outta Here Posted March 7, 2017 Share Posted March 7, 2017 I'm glad that it's open for women who want to give it a go! It's not a choice I would make, but I'm glad that it's available. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Gregory Matthews Posted March 7, 2017 Author Moderators Share Posted March 7, 2017 And that is the point. All will be evaluated by the same standards. Those who pass the standard will have the freedom to chose. Outta Here 1 Quote Gregory Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members phkrause Posted March 8, 2017 Members Share Posted March 8, 2017 Israel requires women to serve. I've always thought that all who live in the U.S. should serve there country! Outta Here 1 Quote phkrause By the decree enforcing the institution of the papacy in violation of the law of God, our nation will disconnect herself fully from righteousness. When Protestantism shall stretch her hand across the gulf to grasp the hand of the Roman power, when she shall reach over the abyss to clasp hands with spiritualism, when, under the influence of this threefold union, our country shall repudiate every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant and republican government, and shall make provision for the propagation of papal falsehoods and delusions, then we may know that the time has come for the marvelous working of Satan and that the end is near. {5T 451.1} Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outta Here Posted March 8, 2017 Share Posted March 8, 2017 Agreed. But keep in mind, there are other ways to serve one's country than service in the armed forces. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Gregory Matthews Posted March 8, 2017 Author Moderators Share Posted March 8, 2017 Of course. Quote Gregory Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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