Women in the Services front line

[EternalOptimist]

I meant, if you DO join the army are you able to control this? Women might currently only join the forces knowing they cannot be on the front line so changing things might mean less want to sign up. And it puts existing female soldiers who signed up under different rules in an interesting position.

eh ?

people sign up and join units or corps. It's voluntary, you decide where you will end up.

this is about allowing women to join the infantry or armoured units, which they are currently banned from doing.

[MyUserName]

Not probably, definitely statistically fewer. That's why there are mens and womens events in Sport

Yeah, fair point.

[d000hg]

eh ?

people sign up and join units or corps. It's voluntary, you decide where you will end up.

this is about allowing women to join the infantry or armoured units, which they are currently banned from doing.

I thought once you were in the forces you were pretty much at their beck and call, hence my question. I guess I was under the impression women could already join units that might end up fighting, but wouldn't be allowed to join in, or something odd.

If every soldier is allowed to decide if they want to be nominated for front line duty, the question seems trivial... of course they should be allowed to.

[EternalOptimist]

I thought once you were in the forces you were pretty much at their beck and call, hence my question. I guess I was under the impression women could already join units that might end up fighting, but wouldn't be allowed to join in, or something odd.

If every soldier is allowed to decide if they want to be nominated for front line duty, the question seems trivial... of course they should be allowed to.

Forget about 'the front line'. any soldier can find themselves in the front line, even if by accident.

The infantry and armoured units have a special role, to seek out and kill the enemy. That's what is under discussion. Most of the army provide support in one way or another

[OwlHoot]

An equality step too far?

BBC News - Women could join British infantry by 2016

Yes, they can probably do all the jobs except the most physically demanding but, fighting to kill or be killed? I dont think I can make that stepmyself.

In 20 years they probably won't need to go near a battlefield in person. They'll just be flying drones and controlling battlebots by remote control from a bunker in the UK.

[BolshieBastard]

The issue is not one of equality though. No one is saying that someone could not do the job because of their gender, there probably are statistically fewer women who could but that is due to their physical conditioning and not their gender.

The issue is how it would effect morale and unit cohesion.

Actually, yes it is (one of equality). I posed the question so I think Im best placed to know what I meant.

Clearly there are some strong women and weaker men. Im not bothered whether butch jane is stronger that wimpy john.

Im posing the question from whether its right for women to be taught to kill and likely be killed on the front line. Whichever way you look at it, the question of equality is there staring us in the face.

[BolshieBastard]

Why is that different to a similar thing happening to a man?

Oh, come on!

[VectraMan]

In 20 years they probably won't need to go near a battlefield in person. They'll just be flying drones and controlling battlebots by remote control from a bunker in the UK.

Good news for fatties that want to be in the military.

[BolshieBastard]

In 20 years they probably won't need to go near a battlefield in person. They'll just be flying drones and controlling battlebots by remote control from a bunker in the UK.

You're probably quite correct there. I think what you're referring to is the sanitisation of war. And 20 years later, we'd probably be recruiting the best gamers to sit behind a screen and kill other combatants from the comfort of a cosy chair!

Hideous thought

[minestrone]

Doog is thinking of the Jesus army.