Gender equality within the American military services has become a highly visible and debated issue. Currently woman are only authorized to serve in non-combat positions in all branches of service. The integration of female soldiers into combat positions within the United States Army could significantly improve the Army’s effectiveness and the nation’s security. Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter has until January 1, 2016 to deliver the final decision as to which combat positions female soldiers will be authorized or not authorized to serve in. The United States Army has spearheaded this issue with performance evaluations of females in combat related tasks and opened the notoriously challenging infantry leadership course Ranger school to female soldiers.
Women have been serving in the United States Army since its creation in 1775. “During the Revolutionary War women followed their husbands to war out of necessity. Many served in military camps as laundresses, cooks, and nurses, but only with permission from the commanding officers and only if they proved they were helpful” (The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, 2008). Although women weren’t officially enlisted into the Army service at that time, they proved to …show more content…
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has allowed its female soldiers to serve in combat positions since the creation of their country in 1948. Although female soldiers are authorized to serve in combat positions, “In Israel it is clear that despite the vast contribution of women in the military, active combat is not an option. This decision is based on the physical and biological differences between men and women but also for moral reasons” (Katz, 2015). So even though IDF female soldiers are allowed to serve in combat positions they will not be used on a frontline active battlefield, they are to be reserved for training and support roles
Women have been serving in the United States Army since its creation in 1775. “During the Revolutionary War women followed their husbands to war out of necessity. Many served in military camps as laundresses, cooks, and nurses, but only with permission from the commanding officers and only if they proved they were helpful” (The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, 2008). Although women weren’t officially enlisted into the Army service at that time, they proved to …show more content…
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has allowed its female soldiers to serve in combat positions since the creation of their country in 1948. Although female soldiers are authorized to serve in combat positions, “In Israel it is clear that despite the vast contribution of women in the military, active combat is not an option. This decision is based on the physical and biological differences between men and women but also for moral reasons” (Katz, 2015). So even though IDF female soldiers are allowed to serve in combat positions they will not be used on a frontline active battlefield, they are to be reserved for training and support roles