De-Clintonizing the Military
Is Bush Interested?
November 13, 2003
By Toby Westerman
Copyright 2003 International News Analysis Today
www.inatoday.com
The Jessica Lynch incident is prompting many generals and admirals to rethink Clinton-era policies regarding women in combat. President George Bush, however, is offering no definitive leadership on the issue, leaving both top armed forces personnel and field commanders in an uncertain situation, declared Elaine Donnelly, president of the Center for Military Readiness (CMR), in an exclusive interview with International News Analysis Today.
The Center for Military Readiness advocates "high, single standards" for all military personnel, and opposes attempts at "social engineering" in the armed services, including co-ed training. CMR also seeks to overturn Clinton-era directives placing women near combat areas. These still-in-force directives were responsible for placing Lynch and other enlisted women near, and eventually in, combat.
CMR has posted an online petition to President Bush to change Clinton-era military policies.
"We have gathered over 18,000 signatures on our petition, and we're continuing to gather more," stated Donnelly, who also counts considerable support from generals, admirals, and Pentagon officials, nevertheless, Bush has yet to speak with her.
"We are seeking a meeting with President Bush, but we have not been able to get an appointment, or even a response," Donnelly told INA Today.
"The President must lead, he must tell the generals and admirals what they are to do," declared Donnelly, who added that both high ranking and field commanders are anxious to avoid another Lynch incident.
The actual circumstances of Lynch's capture and rescue are coming to light, and stand in stark contrast to the first accounts portraying Lynch as the consummate female warrior.
"The Washington Post is to be blamed, they were irresponsible," declared Donnelly, referring to the first press reports about Lynch's combat actions.
"I have nothing but the highest respect for her [Lynch], but those around her are proving to be less than truthful," Donnelly as she denounced the early -- and what proved to be false -- accounts of Lynch's encounter with Iraqi forces.
The grim details of Lynch's capture include her brutal rape at the hands of her Iraqi captors before she reached the Iraqi hospital staff.
Donnelly questions whether the American public, politicians, and the military want young women to be liable for close-in combat, and possible rape and torture.
Enlisted females are overwhelmingly against involuntary combat assignments for women at a ratio of about 9:1, according to earlier military questionnaires. Since 2002 however, female troops are no longer asked their opinion regarding the advisability of compulsory combat assignments.
Female officers, on the other hand, are supportive -- if not insistent upon -- combat roles for women. Donnelly said that female officers consider combat an opportunity to advance their careers, and some women are hoping for selection as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Little attention has been given to other women killed or injured during Iraq operations, with the exception of Shoshana Johnson, captured along with Lynch.
Donnelly told International News Analysis Today that she is working closely with several members of Congress to reform Clinton-era military policies, but indicated that she finds it necessary to remain discreet as to the names of her supporters.
RELATED ARTICLE:
Women in Combat
Copyright 2003
International News Analysis Today
2364 Jackson St. #301
Stoughton, WI 53589 U.S.A.
Visit the INA Today Bookshelf !
Return to INA TODAY.com homepage
