Should Women Serve In Combat

During the years of past wars, women were seen by men to stay home and take care of things while they were away. Women did not have many rights, if any at all, in joining military combat roles or the military in general. When World War two came around they soon realized that women could help in the war. While the women worked in gun, bullet making factories more and more men were able to be sent into battle. Later, after the war the Carters Decree opened up ten percent of the military combat occupations for women, offering 220,000 combat roles (Spivack). As time went on, in 1991 and 1992 the law which prohibited women in air and sea combat became repealed, in 2015 Ranger School offered a chance for women to test themselves with the ability …show more content…
On the side of pros for females and combat or enlistment in general, it may be that females themselves understand what men go through and realize the qualifications it takes. On the other hand, females get benefits like males and also have a chance to extend their contract time when a prior service time runs out. Professor Melissa Embser-Herbert states that "Combat positions should be open to those who are qualified, regardless of sex. Note that the question is not whether women should be permitted to serve in combat. That's because people are finally realizing that women already are in combat" (Clemmitt). On the other side of the pros are cons of females in combat. Some or most females will come home from combat with PTSD, along with men, from experiencing traumatic events that no one wants to see. Additionally, Ms. Browne of Wayne State says, "In combat areas, toilet and washing facilities are rudimentary at best and, often, nonexistent, and some studies have found that, for women soldiers, "unmet basic hygiene needs affect morale" and their ability to cope in combat circumstance" (Clemmitt). Another concern of women participating in combat is the fact they may become prone to sexual assault. At Hamline University, Embser- Herbert commented "When men and women in the same unit 'are counting on each other to watch their backs' in potentially deadly situations, there are many opportunities for miscommunication... You’re having to create a situation of trust, but you're also hoping that everyone understands boundaries" and that cues meant to signify "we trust each other" aren't misread as invitations to make unwanted sexual moves" (Clemmitt). Conclusively females put themselves in a dangerous environment in the choice of a combat position. If they do decide on one they should make things clear and speak up for themselves in any situation that feels