Friday, January 25, 2013

What Has Been Canada's Experience On Permitting Women To Serve In Combat

Canadian soldiers march along Kitsilano Beach in Vancouver, British Columbia, earlier this month. Reuters

Canada Offers Lessons on Women in Combat -- Wall Street Journal

In spring 2008, Canadian Infantry Cpl. Katie Moman landed in Kandahar, Afghanistan, trained, equipped and ready to fight for one of the few Western armies that allow women in all front-line combat roles.

But as her six-month tour progressed, Cpl. Moman found her troubles had less to do with Afghan insurgents and more to do with what she says was her commanders' desire to keep her from them. The complaint—echoed by other Canadian women serving in combat—underscores one of several pitfalls America's neighbor to the north has encountered in its decadeslong experience with allowing women to enter front-line jobs.

Read more ....

My Comment: So .... even though Canadian women in the Armed Forces are allowed to serve in combat .... it appears that the officers do not have the confidence to permit them to go out on patrol .... especially in hot zones. My guess is that this will probably change with time .... or at least that is what those who dropped the ban are hoping for. Will women who serve in the U.S. military experience the same situation .... probably. And just as probably .... the proponents for dropping this ban are hoping that with time this will change.

As to what is my opinion on women being permitted to serve in combat .... I prefer that they do not serve. Having said that .... I do know that in the real world my desire does not conform to the reality on the ground. Women are in combat everyday, and many are being killed and wounded because of it. If being permitted to go to combat means that they will get better training and experience .... then I am all for it.

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