Women in Combat
Proud, Brave -- and at Greater Risk
April 3, 2003
By Toby Westerman
Copyright 2003 International News Analysis Today
www.inatoday.com
Women in combat encounter greater risk of death and capture due to the implementation of "social theories" based upon the ambitions of civilian feminists and certain high-profile female officers, according to a noted expert on women in the military.
While facing the same dangers on the battlefield as men, women are at a severe disadvantage in their training and preparedness when compared to their male counterparts, according to Elaine Donnelly, president of the Committee for Military Readiness, a private organization examining personnel issues in the armed forces.
In an exclusive interview with International News Analysis Today, Donnelly stated that the issue of women in combat is a key element in the ultimate career progression of feminists throughout society. The cost of feminist success, however, is at the cost of placing enlisted woman in extraordinary and oftentimes unplanned for danger.
The current plight of women in combat zones "is the consequence of pretending that women and men are interchangeable," said Donnelly.
The use of the "equal effort" method of assessment assures the presence of a certain quota of females in battlefield units, an important goal of feminist ideologues, Donnelly stated.
Even though a woman may not perform at the same level of strength and endurance as her male counterpart, she is assessed on her "effort" rather than actual performance.
The use of "gender norms" and other techniques "creates the illusion of success," for the female soldier, said Donnelly.
"In essence, there are no objective standards. The problem is that there is no 'gender norming' on the battlefield…and the enlisted women know that," Donnelly told INA Today.
Referring to captured women soldiers Army Specialist Shoshana Jackson, Pfc. Lori Piestewa, and just rescued Pfc. Jessica Lynch, Donnelly declared that "they are people you admire," but they are "in an inherently unfair situation."
Jackson and Lynch both entered the Army to learn specific skills, but were "cross trained" according to Clinton-era regulations, which led to their capture by Iraqi forces. Lynch sought experience as a supply clerk, and Jackson wanted to be a cook.
President Bill Clinton issued executive orders allowing women to engage in all but direct battlefield combat. The participation of women in "near combat" roles led to the capture of Jackson, Lynch, and Piestewa.
Jackson, now missing and believed a prisoner of the Iraqis, "found herself in a situation that her family admitted she never expected, and one which certainly surprised a lot of people in the nation," said Donnelly.
The capture of Jackson, Lynch, and Piestewa are the result of feminist social theories that "are now being put to the test - and it's disturbing to see the results," Donnelly told INA Today.
"Young mothers are being sent off - is this really the way we ought to be running our military?" asked Donnelly.
Donnelly challenged the feminist agenda by asking, "Would it not be more appropriate to have soldiers who are not women, who are more versatile, who are known to be physically stronger, more deployable, and not as likely to be undeployable for physical reasons - including pregnancy" do the nation's fighting?
"I find it very unseemly for civilian feminists - or even some very high-profile officers - to push hard" for enlisted women to engage in combat, Donnelly insisted.
The U.S. military should "forget about trying to please the civilian feminists who want other women to fight in combat," asserted Donnelly.
Recruiters should no longer be forced to adhere to "gender quotas," artificial requirements for a set percentage of women in the armed forces, regardless of the growth or decline in the military's absolute number of soldiers, sailors, and airmen.
The present experiment with women in combat zones is a precedent for drafting women should the Selective Service become fully activated, Donnelly warned.
Donnelly informed INA Today that a lawsuit was recently filed in a Boston federal court to require any future military draft to call up women as well as men. The suit complains that women now occupy a substantial number of positions in the military, bringing female soldiers close to actual involvement in combat, and for that reason all women should be liable to induction.
Donnelly's interest in the question of women in combat began during the debate over the possible addition of the Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Donnelly became upset over the "elitist arguments" advocating that women should serve in combat as a step toward career advancement, and the furthering of the feminist agenda.
Donnelly's involvement in the question of women in the military grew, and in 1984 she was appointed to the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services (DACOWITS). As a committee member Donnelly visited U.S. military installations and spoke with numerous service personnel.
Donnelly said that during her committee work she also "observed firsthand" the demand from top military personnel for female quotas in recruitment and promotion.
In 1992, President Bush appointed Donnelly to the Presidential Commission on the Assignment of Women in the Armed Forces. The committee examined the question of women in combat and advised against using female soldiers on the battlefield. The committee, however, issued its recommendation the day of Bill Clinton's election to the presidency. The committee's advice was disregarded, Donnelly said.
Clinton-era regulations on women in the military remain in force today, Donnelly stated, and form the policy implemented in President George Bush's war in Iraq.
The Committee for Military Readiness is a non-profit organization. Its Internet site may be found at www.cmrlink.org.
Copyright 2003
International News Analysis Today
INA Today.com
2364 Jackson St. #301
Stoughton, WI 53589 U.S.A.
Unique sources -- unique information -- news and
analysis you will find nowhere else.
Read International News Analysis.
Order 12 issues of International News Analysis
for only $29.95 U.S. funds; ($39.95 Canadian and overseas).
Mail subscriptions to:
International News Analysis
2364 Jackson St. #301
Stoughton, WI 53589 U.S.A.
Return to INA TODAY.com homepage
